Responsible Snakehead Keepers Act

[Darth Scohin]

Now I'v thought about a potential comprimise to the Ban of the Channa in the US. This is only a Rough Draft, and is meant to create a potential baby step to lift the Ban of Snakeheads. All constructive Critisism is welcome and any ideas to add to the idea are also welcome....Short I'm not scrolling through this version "Permit to own a single Snakehead"

1.) Purpose of Bill​

a. To allow the snakehead fish (Family Channa and Parachanna) which will now be called “channa” to be owned by a person that will be named “keeper” to purchase and house channa for non-breeding husbandry purposes.

2.) Short Title​

a. This can be called “Responsible Snakehead Keepers Act”

3.) Permit Requirements​

a. A prospective keeper of channa must be of the age 18 and have no criminal record after the age of 16
b. A prospective keeper of channa must take a written test for a fee. (see section entitled Fees) this is to ensure they have knowledge of three basic parts: regulations under the local Department of Natural Resources and Local Fish and Game (now called DNR and FG respectively) that they understand basic fish keeping, and that they understand laws under federal and state law regarding the subject of channa and non-native species.
c. A prospective keeper of channa must pay a fee (see section entitled fees) to purchase the Permit

4.) Permit​

a. A Keeper of this permit entitled Channa License may own one Channa for the life of said Channa
b. A keeper must have adequate housing for Channa that does not violate federal, state and local building codes
c. A keeper of this Channa must give written and photographic description of prospected channa to the supplier in order to legally receive said channa
d. A keeper may only keep one Channa, unless given another species of Channa by DNR or FG
e. Once every year a representative from DNR and FG will assess the channa living conditions if the housing, number, or care of channa is improper as assessed by guidelines stated in “Guidelines” of this bill then DNR or FG may seize channa and either give it to another keeper without a channa of the same species, or it will be humanely euthanized by DNR or FG

5.) Guidelines​

a. A Keeper of channa must have a enclosure where the channa is able to freely swim in a three dimensional direction as determined by DNR or FG.
b. A Keeper of Channa must have a tight fitting lid as to disallow the channa to escape from its enclosure or be at least half the height of the channa to prevent crawling out
c. Adequate filtration as assessed by DNR and FG must be met.
d. The enclosure must be indoors and not violate local and federal building codes and ordinances
e. If a keeper of channa is unable to properly care for the Channa then the Keeper must contact DNR or FG to take the Channa and either give it to another keeper without a channa of the same species, or it will be humanely euthanized by DNR or FG
f. If a Keepers Channa lays eggs or has offspring the Keeper must contact DNR and FG to properly dispose or relocate the young Channa, before the next annual assessment or they will be fined and jailed as defined by a federal judge.
g. If a Keeper of Channa, channa dies then the keeper must contact DNR or FG to properly dispose of the body. If the Keeper does not contact DNR or FG about the death of the Channa before the next annual assessment they will be fined and jailed as defined by a federal judge
h. A keeper may not sell, trade or release Channa within the United States or its territories

6.) Fees​

a. The prospected Keeper of Channa must pay a fee of $1,000 US dollars to receive a Permit
b. The prospected Keeper of Channa must pay a fee of $75 US dollars to take the required Basic Channa Assessment Test
c. The prospected Keeper of Channa must pay for the Channa and Shipping of Channa to the place of residence

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

uh no? so many probs here. in part, the government would never put that much work into it.

 

[mad ness]

challenge for sure but wouldnt say never. dont know first thing about pioneering an act but if there's a template, at least there's a channel/facility to make the change. I think a lot would depend on how these fish were banned in the first place, as that would be the main opposition. and of course with these sort of things, helps to throw money and connections around.

 

[jsodwi]

$1000 bucks for a permit? No way that will fly. If it was under $100 or something like the exotic reptile permits I can see but for $1000 you can buy anywhere from 5-10 snakeheads depending on size. I like some of the purposals though it would be nice if it worked out

 

[SimonL]

Nice idea, but way too much work for the Gov. for virtually no return of their part.

 

[BRYANT]

$1000 fee for a permit?

 

[Darth Scohin]

$1000 bucks for a permit? No way that will fly. If it was under $100 or something like the exotic reptile permits I can see but for $1000 you can buy anywhere from 5-10 snakeheads depending on size. I like some of the purposals though it would be nice if it worked out

I may lower it down but I wanted to convey the idea that if someone is willing to pay they are also willing to properly care for it....I mean you don't buy a $1000 dollar dog and then abandon it because it is not cute anymore....

 

[Aeroxide]

Nice idea, but way too much work for the Gov. for virtually no return of their part.

When has that ever stopped the government from wasting revenue on anything?

Kidding aside, I'm not implying this would be a waste. It does seem like a long shot though

h. A keeper may not sell, trade or release Channa within the United States or its territories

Wouldn't there also have to be additional regulations pertaining to their sale and exchange? Otherwise the permit would allow ownership of the fish, but you'd still be breaking the law by obtaining one, since their trade and sale would be outlawed. In that case, this bill would only effectively pertain to people who already owned the fish prior to their ban.

 

[Darth Scohin]

Great point however, it does not state that the Keeper cannot purchase the Channa just that they can't sell or trade it

 

[BRYANT]

Great point however, it does not state that the Keeper cannot purchase the Channa just that they can't sell or trade it

What's with the $1000 permit fee? When you can buy 10+ snakeheads with that money