The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed its 90-day findings on petitions to list 10 species under the Endangered Species Act. Based on the Service’s review, the petitions to list the Betta hendra, Betta rutilans, Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander, pygmy rabbit, Railroad Valley toad, Southern Plains bumble bee, southwest spring firefly, white-margined penstemon, and yellow-spotted woodland salamander contain substantial information that listing may be warranted, and status reviews will be initiated on these species.
News & Notes Articles
New, Huge Cavefish Species, Neolissochilus pnar, Described
Researchers have recently discovered an exciting new species of subterranean cavefish in Northeastern India. The largest cave fish in the world is a member of the cyprinid family.
Restrictive LACEY Act Amendments Proposed Again
Just last spring and summer, the entire pet trade was at risk when nationwide whitelists and interstate trade restrictions were proposed to be enacted through amendments to the Lacey Act. They failed to pass, but now the Lacey Act proposals have been resubmitted and everything is right back where it started last time.
Florida FWC to Reevaluate Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Rulemaking
A wide range of industry experts and competing businesses recently joined together to stave off industry-killing whitelist proposals in the state of Florida. Such cooperation is much needed for the good of the aquarium trade at the local and national level. Image courtesy Nautilus Tropical Fish Wholesale.
All Hands On Deck In Florida’s FWC vs. Pet Trade Fight
Florida’s pet trade and pet owners are facing a full-on assault on their ability to keep, culture, and sell the vast majority of organisms that currently make up the pet trade. In short, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is proposing two variations on a strict white list approach to pet trade regulation in the name of preventing future invasive species problems. These proposals may restrict the total amount of species across all subsets of the pet hobby to as few as perhaps only 200 total species across the entirety of the pet trade.
VIDEO: Antique Uranium Ruba Rombic Fish Bowls
In the latest newsletter from The Museum of Aquarium and Pet History, Gary Bagnall presents a fascinating look at a spectacular rarity from a bygone era
Remembering Ray “Kingfish” Lucas, 1947-2023
When you meet certain people, they make an impression on you, and you remember them long after the introduction. Ray “Kingfish” Lucas was one of those people.
Proposed CITES I Listing for Zebra Plecos Avoided; Species Listed on Appendix II During Last Minute Vote at CoP19
In the very last days of the 2022 CITES CoP, Brazil proposed listing Hypancistrus zebra, the Zebra Pleco, under Appendix II. This amendment was accepted and passed, meaning the Zebra Pleco will now be subject to international trade restrictions.
Brazil Shortsightedly Proposes Zebra Pleco for CITES Appendix I Listing
The 19th CoP occurs November 14-26, 2022, in Panama City, Panama. At this CoP, the government of Brazil has submitted a proposal to uplist H. zebra from the least restrictive CITES listing on Appendix III, to Appendix I, which is the most restrictive CITES listing. Some argue that the new proposals will lead to increased demand for illegally harvested and smuggled specimens of Zebra Pleco.
OATA Joins Fellow Pet Trade Associations at CITES CoP19
On the agenda for the meeting, which looks at ways to ensure the sustainable trade in wildlife, are several items that would affect the global ornamental fish trade, including plans to move Zebra pleco (Hypancistrus zebra) from Appendix III to Appendix I – the highest level of restriction – and to put a number of freshwater stingray (Potamotrygon spp.) onto Appendix II.