WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Rick Scott was joined by Senator Marco Rubio to introduce the Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act. This bill will amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to allow American farmers to continue their sturgeon operations while also adhering to the original purpose of the ESA to ensure the longevity of the species across the globe.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The Biden administration’s recent decision to name non-native and hybrid sturgeon as endangered species is causing immense harm to farmers in Florida and across the country. Farmers who were raising these sturgeon are now forced to care for thousands of fish that can live to 100 years without any ability to sell, harvest, or relocate them. We can’t force our farmers to either face prison time, or pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to simply keep fish alive on their property. The Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act allows farmers to continue their sustainable fishery practices for farmed sturgeon, which both protects these fish and the livelihoods of these hardworking aquaculture farmers.”

Senator Marco Rubio said, “It doesn’t make sense for the Biden Administration to prevent American small businesses from harvesting non-native and hybrid sturgeon they breed and own in their facilities. Doing so will unnecessarily harm American livelihoods and incentivize the poaching of Eurasian species of sturgeon. The Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act will ensure a balanced solution that supports our domestic industry while simultaneously protecting these species.”

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