Posted by Christopher Coomer on 4/6/2025 to News

The Saving NEMO Act: Protecting Our Marine Ecosystems

As a dedicated advocate for responsible reef keeping, I am deeply concerned about the potential negative impacts of the Saving NEMO Act. This legislation, while seemingly aimed at conservation, poses significant threats to the aquarium industry and sustainable livelihoods.

In recent years, the health of our oceans has become a critical concern, prompting legislative action to safeguard marine life and habitats. One such initiative is the Saving NEMO Act of 2025, currently under consideration in the U.S. Congress.

What is the Saving NEMO Act?

The Saving NEMO Act, officially known as the Saving Natural Ecosystems and Marine Organisms Act of 2025, aims to protect various marine reef species from harmful practices such as overfishing, illegal trade, and habitat destruction. The bill was introduced by Representative Ed Case and seeks to enforce stricter regulations on the take, import, and export of designated coral reef species.

Key Provisions of the Act

Designation of Covered Coral Reef Species: The Secretary of the Interior will identify and list marine reef species that are at risk. This includes species listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Prohibition of Harmful Practices: The act prohibits actions that pose substantial risks to the sustainability of these species and their ecosystems. This includes high mortality rates due to poor survivorship in transport or captivity.
Collaborative Efforts: The Secretary of the Interior will work in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that the regulations are effective and comprehensive.

Understanding CITES Appendices

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) categorizes species into three appendices, each with different levels of protection:

Appendix I: Includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Examples include the Giant Panda and the Snow Leopard.
Appendix II: Includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is closely controlled. This appendix also includes species that look similar to those listed for conservation reasons. Examples include Stony Corals and the Banggai Cardinalfish.
Appendix III: Includes species protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. Examples include the Florida Softshell Turtle and the Saffron Toucanet.

For a comprehensive list of species in each appendix, you can refer to the official CITES document.

Detailed List of Species in Appendix II

Here are some of the species listed in Appendix II of CITES:

Corals:

Red and Pink Corals: Corallium elatius, Corallium japonicum, Corallium konjoi, Corallium secundum
Blue Corals: Heliopora coerulea
Stony Corals: Scleractinia spp.
Organ-pipe Corals: Tubiporidae spp.
Fire Corals: Milleporidae spp.
Lace Corals: Stylasteridae spp.
Black Corals: Antipatharia spp.

Invertebrates:

Giant Clams: Tridacnidae spp.
Chambered Nautilus: Nautilidae spp.
Queen Conch: Strombus gigas
Agate Snails, Oahu Tree Snails: Achatinella spp.
Green Tree Snail: Papustyla pulcherrima
Helicoid Terrestrial Snails: Polymita spp.
Medicinal Leeches: Hirudo medicinalis, Hirudo verbana
Date Mussel: Lithophaga lithophaga
Freshwater Mussels, Pearly Mussels: Various species including Conradilla caelata, Cyprogenia aberti, and many more.

Sea Cucumbers: Isostichopus fuscus

Fish:

Humphead Wrasse: Cheilinus undulatus
Angelfish: Holacanthus clarionensis, Holacanthus limbaughi
Totoaba: Totoaba macdonaldi
Armoured Catfish: Hypancistrus zebra
Giant Catfish: Pangasianodon gigas
Seahorses: Hippocampus spp.
Queensland Lungfish: Neoceratodus forsteri
Coelacanths: Latimeria spp.
Guitarfishes: Glaucostegus spp., Rhinobatidae spp.
Wedgefishes: Rhinidae spp.
Sturgeons: Acipenser brevirostrum, Acipenser sturio
River Eel: Anguilla anguilla
Carps: Caecobarbus geertsii, Probarbus jullieni
Arapaima: Arapaima gigas
Bonytongues: Scleropages formosus, Scleropages inscriptus
Eagle and Mobulid Rays: Mobula spp.
Freshwater Stingrays: Various species including Paratrygon aiereba, Potamotrygon spp.
Whale Shark: Rhincodon typus
Sawfishes: Pristidae spp.
Requiem Sharks: Carcharhinidae spp.
Hammerhead Sharks: Sphyrnidae spp.
Thresher Sharks: Alopias spp.
Basking Shark: Cetorhinus maximus
Mackerel Sharks: Carcharodon carcharias

Volume and Economic Impact of Marine Species Imports (2019-2023)

2019: Approximately 2.5 million marine ornamental species imported.
2020: Around 2.6 million marine ornamental species imported.
2021: About 2.7 million marine ornamental species imported.
2022: Nearly 2.8 million marine ornamental species imported.
2023: Estimated 2.9 million marine ornamental species imported.

Note: The term "marine ornamental species" encompasses a wide range of marine life, including fish, corals, and invertebrates.

Economic Impact (GDP Contribution)

2019: The marine economy contributed approximately $400 billion to the U.S. GDP.
2020: The contribution was around $410 billion.
2021: The marine economy accounted for $424.2 billion, or 1.8% of the U.S. GDP.
2022: The contribution increased to $476.2 billion, or 1.8% of the U.S. GDP.
2023: Preliminary estimates suggest a contribution of around $490 billion.

Personal Perspective

If the Saving NEMO Act is passed, it could pose challenges for the overall industry. However, we owe it to ourselves and future generations to ensure these species thrive, are sustained, and harvested in an environmentally responsible way. With all the species that are imported, imagine how many actually live long-term, over one year, in the aquarium industry.

Many hobbyists are too eager to purchase a marine animal before their system is matured. How many people buy something because it looks cool but have done zero research and bought it on impulse? How many people did not research the diet or have a good understanding of the requirements to properly care for the organism? Only as individuals can we stop encouraging this practice.

Broader Responsibility and Corporate Impact

It's not just about the species listed in specific legislation; we need to be conscious of our actions towards all marine life. These are living animals, and their survival depends on our responsible practices. Additionally, we must recognize the impact of corporate greed on marine ecosystems. Unsustainable practices driven by profit can lead to significant harm, and it's up to us to advocate for ethical and environmentally sound approaches in the industry.

Implications for Aquaculture and Fisheries

While the act is a significant step towards conservation, it has raised concerns among aquaculture and fisheries industries. The stringent regulations may impact operations, making it challenging for even sophisticated aquaculture setups to comply. This has sparked a debate on balancing ecological protection with economic interests.

Contact Your State Representative - Vote No!

If you are concerned about the impact of the Saving NEMO Act on the industry, please contact your state representative and express your opposition. Together, we can protect the environmental, social, and economic benefits of the aquarium trade and hobby.

Here is a list of current United States representatives. Find your representative and reach out to them to make your voice heard. Find Your Representative

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Saving NEMO Act aims to protect marine ecosystems, its stringent regulations could devastate the aquarium industry and sustainable practices. I urge readers to join me in opposing this bill to ensure a balanced approach to conservation.

This blog was written by Christopher Coomer, owner and operator of CCREEF. CCREEF is dedicated to providing high-quality aqua-cultured corals, fish, and invertebrates, while promoting responsible reef keeping practices. For more insights and updates, visit CCREEF Website

Sources

Please Subscribe & Share

If you liked this article, sign up for our email newsletter to stay updated on the latest news and insights. Don't miss out on new arrivals and exclusive offers! Register on our website today!

2 Comments

Tyler Rucker

Date 4/10/2025

I would recommend everyone take your business too CCReef he is very kind and helpful and will go above and beyond to help with any of your issues.

Sean M.

Date 5/2/2025

I'd strongly recommend NOT supporting the Saving NEMO Act, at least not as written. The problem is that its broad language opens the door to completely shutting down aquaculture. Hawaii already has a version of this at the state level, and ever since it was passed there hasn't been a single permit issued for aquaculture in the state. The bill is a trojan horse, promising conservation only to push a PETA-like agenda of shutting down not only the aquarium hobby, but reef conservation, research and reconstruction efforts as well. I will not be doing business with CCReef because of this.

CCREEF

Date 5/3/2025

Hi, this is Christopher with CCREEF. First, I want to personally thank you for your comment. I’d like to clarify that nowhere in this article did I state that CCREEF supports the Saving Nemo Act, I did not. My intention was simply to inform those asking about the Act and provide relevant context, not to sway anyone toward supporting it. Over the past 10 years, the reefing community has been under global scrutiny, with various government-imposed restrictions occurring throughout that time. My goal is to educate everyone on which species would be affected and potentially banned under this Act. I also emphasized the importance of the reefing community stepping up and taking action to prevent this from becoming law. I hope this helps clarify my stance. If further edits are needed to make it even clearer, In the header Contact Your State Representative I added - Vote No! I’m happy to adjust the post accordingly to reflect this important topic.

CCREEF Saving Nemo Act