[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E225-E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SAVING NEMO ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2025

  Mr. CASE. 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

[[Page E226]]

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.

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