The Saving NEMO Act (H.R. 6447)

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

If passed, this law would restrict the commercial aquarium trade by banning the harvest of certain reef species, potentially impacting businesses and hobbyists while creating new federal enforcement powers for the Departments of Interior and Commerce.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Aquarium and curio trade businesses

These businesses face new restrictions on the import, export, and sale of designated marine reef species.

Marine hobbyists

Hobbyists may face limitations on the availability of certain reef species for private collections.

Aquaculture and mariculture facilities

These facilities must meet specific federal standards to qualify for exemptions from the trade prohibitions.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill creates a federal framework to prohibit the collection, trade, and transport of specific marine reef species used in the aquarium and curio trade. It establishes strict penalties for illegal harvesting and trade, while providing exceptions for scientific research, authorized breeding programs, and sustainable aquaculture.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill ban all aquarium fish?

No. It only applies to '' designated by the Secretary of the Interior that are collected for the aquarium and curio trade, and it excludes species typically taken for human consumption.

Can I still buy fish from a professional breeder?

Yes. The bill provides exceptions for products from 'qualified aquaculture or mariculture facilities' and 'qualified cooperative breeding programs' that meet federal conservation standards.

What happens if I report someone for illegal collection?

The bill allows the government to pay rewards to individuals who provide information leading to arrests, convictions, or civil penalties, though government employees are ineligible for these rewards.

Why It Matters

If passed, this law would restrict the commercial aquarium trade by banning the harvest of certain reef species, potentially impacting businesses and hobbyists while creating new federal enforcement powers for the Departments of Interior and Commerce.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Shift to Certification-Based Trade

The bill moves the aquarium trade toward a certification-heavy model, requiring importers/exporters to certify that species were not collected using destructive practices.

Department of the Interior Department of Commerce

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy45
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level