Speeches & Testimony

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support for my Saving Natural Ecosystems and Marine Organisms (NEMO) Act to protect the ornamental reef species living in the fragile and invaluable ecosystems of our world's endangered coral reefs.

Our oceans, teeming with life and rich biodiversity, depend on the health of coral reefs, some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. Nearly 25 percent of the ocean's fish rely on coral reefs for shelter, food and breeding grounds. These reefs and the species that inhabit them are critical to the balance and vitality of our oceans.

Unfortunately, coral reefs and the marine life living in them are under threat due to the high demand for ornamental reef species. This has resulted in unsustainable and harmful collection practices, such as overcollection of species, particularly younger specimens; reef-dredging; the use of harmful gill nets, explosives, or poisons; and excessive mortality of specimens during transit.

These practices not only deplete species populations but also cause irreversible damage to the coral ecosystems themselves. In some cases, this damage has led to the extirpation of species from specific areas and the introduction of invasive species, which further disrupts the ecological balance. The long-term consequences of these practices are the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of habitats that are vital to the health of our oceans.

Many of these harmful collection practices occur in international waters, particularly in regions such as Southeast Asia, where most of the world's coral reefs are located. In many of these countries, there are weak or insufficient regulations to prevent destructive collection methods. As the largest importer of ornamental reef fish and corals, the United States bears a significant responsibility in perpetuating the demand for these species, which drives destructive practices in coral reef ecosystems worldwide.

We have an opportunity to take decisive action. My Saving NEMO Act would prohibit the importation into the United States of protected reef species taken through unsustainable or destructive practices. Going beyond complementing the Lacey Act, CITES and the Endangered Species Act, my bill will also fill a critical gap by addressing those species that, while not endangered, are still collected through methods that harm marine ecosystems. It also includes a process for delisting a species if the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce determine that its collection no longer poses a substantial risk to its sustainability, providing an incentive for the industry to adopt responsible practices.

Furthermore, the Saving NEMO Act would support industries that focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, which is the future of the industry. In doing so, this bill will ensure that the aquarium trade evolves in a way that protects our oceans and promotes long-term ecological balance.

I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation to help safeguard our coral reefs and the diverse marine life they support. By restricting the importation of ornamental reef species collected through harmful practices, we can protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.

Mahalo.