House Passes Bill to Exempt Sea Urchin and Sea Cucumber Exports From Licensing Requirements

A bill that would exempt sea urchin and sea cucumber exports from Fish and Wildlife Service export and import inspections passed the House of Representatives Feb. 5 by unanimous consent. Maine's delegation has pushed for legislation to overturn FWS rulemaking from 2008. A companion bill to H.R. 2504 was introduced by both Maine senators in 2017. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, says that about $25 million in sea urchin roe is exported from Maine annually, and most of it is sent to Japan. She said the product only has a shelf life of one week, and the inspection regime "can lead to a loss of product and money." The chief of law enforcement for FWS, William Woody, told Congress in 2016, when it was considering the same action, that typically shipments are cleared on the same business day. The agency does ask exporters to give 48 hours' notice before arrival at the port, he said. "Sustainable regulated harvest is essential to preserve the economic interests of those involved in the industry," Woody testified then, to collect data that can fight overfishing and declining stocks.