I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2176 
To prohibit certain actions with respect to certain marine reef species, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 18, 2025 
Mr. CASE (for himself and Mr. HUFFMAN) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to 
the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To prohibit certain actions with respect to certain marine 
reef species, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Saving Natural Eco-
systems and Marine Organisms Act of 2025’’ or the ‘‘Sav-
ing NEMO Act of 2025’’. 
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SEC. 2. PROHIBITION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN MARINE 
REEF SPECIES. 
(a) DESIGNATION OF COVERED CORAL REEF SPE-
CIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall designate as a covered coral reef species— 
(A) any marine reef species that is listed 
in Appendix II of the Convention on Inter-
national Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora— 
(i) as of the effective date of this sec-
tion; and 
(ii) after the effective date of this sec-
tion, unless the Secretary of the Interior, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Com-
merce, finds, not later than 90 days after 
the effective date of the inclusion of such 
species in Appendix II, that the take, im-
port, and export of such species do not 
represent a substantial risk of harm to the 
sustainability of such species and the coral 
reef ecosystem of such species; and 
(B) any marine reef species the take, im-
port, or export of which the Secretary of the In-
terior and the Secretary of Commerce jointly 
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determine, after notice and opportunity for pub-
lic comment— 
(i) presents a substantial risk of harm 
to the sustainability of such species or the 
coral reef ecosystem of such species; or 
(ii) results in high mortality rates for 
individuals of such species due to poor sur-
vivorship in transport or captivity. 
(2) REMOVAL OF DESIGNATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the 
Interior may remove the designation of a spe-
cies as a covered coral reef species if the Sec-
retary determines that such removal does not 
represent a substantial risk of harm to the sus-
tainability of such species or the coral reef eco-
system of such species. 
(B) ROLE
OF
SECRETARY
OF
COM-
MERCE.—In carrying out subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary of the Interior shall consult with the 
Secretary of Commerce with respect to a cov-
ered coral reef species described in paragraph 
(1)(A) and act jointly with the Secretary of 
Commerce with respect to a covered coral reef 
species described in subparagraph (1)(B). 
(b) PROHIBITION.—It is unlawful for any person to— 
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(1) take an individual of any covered coral reef 
species within waters under the jurisdiction of the 
United States; 
(2) import into or export from the United 
States an individual of any covered coral reef spe-
cies; 
(3) possess, sell, purchase, deliver, carry, trans-
port, or receive in interstate or foreign commerce an 
individual of any covered coral reef species taken or 
imported in violation of paragraph (1) or (2); or 
(4) attempt to commit any act described in 
paragraphs (1) through (3). 
(c) EXCEPTIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subsection (b) does not 
apply with respect to an individual of a covered coral 
reef species that is— 
(A) taken in accordance with a qualified 
scientifically-based management plan for such 
covered coral reef species, as determined by the 
appropriate Secretary; 
(B) a product of a qualified cooperative 
breeding program for such covered coral reef 
species, as determined by the appropriate Sec-
retary; 
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(C) a product of a qualified aquaculture or 
mariculture facility, as determined by the ap-
propriate Secretary; 
(D) taken pursuant to authorization by the 
Secretary of Commerce, or imported or ex-
ported pursuant to authorization by the Sec-
retary of the Interior, for scientific purposes, 
museum purposes, or zoological breeding or dis-
play; or 
(E) taken pursuant to— 
(i) an applicable incidental take per-
mit issued under section 10(a)(1)(B) of 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(B)); or 
(ii) an applicable permit issued by a 
country other than the United States if 
such permit is equivalent to an incidental 
take permit described in clause (i), as de-
termined by the appropriate Secretary. 
(2) DESTRUCTIVE
COLLECTION
PRACTICES.— 
The exceptions described in paragraph (1) do not 
apply with respect to an individual of a covered coral 
reef species that is, as determined by the appro-
priate Secretary— 
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(A) taken through the use of any destruc-
tive collection practice; or 
(B) imported or exported without a certifi-
cation by the importer or exporter that such in-
dividual to be imported or exported was not 
taken through the use of any destructive collec-
tion practice. 
(d) ENFORCEMENT.— 
(1) CIVIL PENALTIES.—The Secretary of the 
Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, upon finding 
a violation of subsection (b), may require the person 
responsible for such violation to pay a civil penalty 
in an amount determined under a schedule of pen-
alties jointly issued by the Secretary of the Interior 
and the Secretary of Commerce, but which does not 
exceed $25,000 for each violation, and which takes 
into account— 
(A) the nature of the violation involved; 
(B) the monetary value of each individual 
of a covered coral reef species that is the sub-
ject of the violation involved; 
(C) any previous violation of subsection (b) 
by the person; and 
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(D) such other factors as the Secretary of 
the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce de-
termines appropriate. 
(2) DECLARATORY OR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.— 
The Attorney General may bring a civil action in an 
appropriate United States district court seeking de-
claratory or injunctive relief for any alleged violation 
of subsection (b). 
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Any person that know-
ingly violates subsection (b) shall be fined in ac-
cordance with title 18, United States Code, im-
prisoned for not more than 6 months, or both. 
(B) PERSONS
ENGAGED
IN
BUSINESS.— 
Any person engaged in business as an importer 
or exporter of a covered coral reef species that 
knowingly violates subsection (b) shall be fined 
in accordance with title 18, United States Code, 
imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both. 
(C) FALSE
STATEMENTS
IN
CERTIFI-
CATIONS.—Any person that knowingly makes, 
causes to be made, or submits any false mate-
rial statement or representation in a certifi-
cation under subsection (c)(2)(B) shall be fined 
in accordance with title 18, United States Code, 
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imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both, 
and may also be prohibited from importing or 
exporting any covered coral reef species. 
(4) REWARDS AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the 
Interior or the Secretary of Commerce may pay, 
from sums received as penalties, fines, or for-
feitures of property for violations of subsection 
(b)— 
(i) a reward to any person that fur-
nishes information which leads to an ar-
rest, criminal conviction, civil penalty as-
sessment, or forfeiture of property for any 
violation of subsection (b); and 
(ii) the reasonable and necessary costs 
incurred by any person in providing tem-
porary care for any individual of a covered 
coral reef species pending the disposition 
of any civil or criminal proceeding alleging 
a violation of subsection (b). 
(B) INELIGIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT OFFI-
CIALS.—Any officer or employee of the United 
States or any State or local government who 
furnishes information or renders service in the 
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performance of their official duties is ineligible 
to receive a reward under this paragraph. 
(5) EXECUTIVE BRANCH ENFORCEMENT.— 
(A) SEARCHES AND SEIZURES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Any person author-
ized by the Secretary of the Interior, the 
Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of 
the Treasury, or the Secretary of the De-
partment in which the Coast Guard is op-
erating may search for and seize any indi-
vidual of a covered coral reef species taken, 
imported, exported, possessed, sold, pur-
chased, delivered, carried, transported, or 
received in violation of subsection (b), as 
authorized by law. 
(ii) SEIZED
COVERED
CORAL
REEF 
SPECIES.—Each individual of a covered 
coral reef species seized under clause (i) 
shall be held by any person so authorized 
pending disposition of civil or criminal pro-
ceedings, or the institution of an action in 
rem for forfeiture of each such individual 
pursuant to subparagraph (C), except that 
the appropriate Secretary may, in lieu of 
holding each such individual, allow the 
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owner or consignee to post a bond or other 
surety satisfactory to the appropriate Sec-
retary, but upon forfeiture of any such 
property to the United States, or the aban-
donment or waiver of any claim to any 
such property, it shall be disposed of 
(other than by sale to the general public) 
by the appropriate Secretary in such a 
manner, consistent with the purposes of 
this section, as the appropriate Secretary 
shall by regulation prescribe. 
(B) CITATIONS.—If any officer authorized 
to enforce the provisions of this section finds 
that a person has violated subsection (b), such 
officer may, in accordance with regulations 
jointly issued by the Secretary of the Interior, 
the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary 
of the Department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating, issue a citation to the violator. 
(C) FORFEITURE.— 
(i) COVERED CORAL REEF SPECIES.— 
Any individual of a covered coral reef spe-
cies taken, imported, exported, possessed, 
sold, delivered, carried, transported, or re-
ceived in interstate or foreign commerce in 
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violation of subsection (b) shall be subject 
to forfeiture to the United States. 
(ii) EQUIPMENT USED IN UNLAWFUL 
PRACTICES.—All guns, traps, nets, and 
other equipment and vessels, vehicles, air-
craft, and other means of transportation 
used to aid a violation of subsection (b), 
shall be subject to forfeiture to the United 
States upon the conviction of the person 
that owns such equipment or means of 
transportation of a criminal violation pur-
suant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of para-
graph (3). 
(D) OTHER
PROVISIONS
OF
LAW.—Any 
provision of law relating to the seizure, for-
feiture, and condemnation of a vessel for viola-
tion of a customs law, the disposition of such 
vessel or the proceeds from the sale thereof, 
and the remission or mitigation of such for-
feiture shall apply to any seizure or forfeiture 
incurred or allegedly incurred under this sec-
tion, insofar as such provision of law is applica-
ble and not inconsistent with the provisions of 
this section, except that all powers, rights, and 
duties conferred or imposed by the customs 
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laws upon any officer or employee of the De-
partment of the Treasury shall, for the pur-
poses of this section, be exercised or performed 
by the Secretary of Commerce or by such per-
sons as the Secretary of Commerce may des-
ignate. 
(6) CITIZEN ACTIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (D), any person may commence a 
civil action to enjoin any person, including the 
United States and any other governmental in-
strumentality or agency (to the extent allowed 
by the 11th Amendment to the Constitution), 
that is alleged to be in violation of subsection 
(b). 
(B) JURISDICTION OF DISTRICT COURTS.— 
The United States District Court for the judi-
cial district in which the alleged violation occurs 
shall have jurisdiction in all actions brought 
under this paragraph, without regard to the 
amount in controversy or the citizenship of the 
parties. 
(C) INTERVENTION
BY
ATTORNEY
GEN-
ERAL.—In any action under this paragraph in 
which the United States is not a party, the At-
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torney General may intervene on behalf of the 
United States as a matter of right. 
(D) EXCEPTIONS.—No action may be com-
menced under this paragraph for an alleged vio-
lation of subsection (b)— 
(i) before the date that is 60 days 
after the date on which written notice of 
such alleged violation is given to the Sec-
retary of the Interior, the Secretary of 
Commerce, and any alleged violator of 
such subsection; or 
(ii) if the Secretary of the Interior, 
the Secretary of Commerce, or the Attor-
ney General has initiated an enforcement 
action under this subsection with respect 
to such alleged violation. 
(E) RECOVERY OF COURT COSTS.—In any 
action brought pursuant to subparagraph (A), 
the court may award costs of litigation (includ-
ing reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) 
to any party whenever the court determines 
such award is appropriate. 
(F) RELIEF
UNDER
OTHER
LAWS.—The 
injunctive relief provided by this paragraph 
shall not restrict any right which any person 
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may have under any statute or common law to 
seek enforcement of any standard or limitation 
or to seek any other relief. 
(7) AMERICAN
SAMOA.—For the purposes of 
any action brought under this subsection, American 
Samoa shall be included within the judicial district 
of the United States District Court for the District 
of Hawaii. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘ap-
propriate Secretary’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of Commerce with re-
spect to domestic matters; 
(B) the Secretary of Commerce and the 
Secretary of the Interior with respect to foreign 
matters; or 
(C) the Secretary with jurisdiction over the 
waters in which the matter is located with re-
spect to matters located in waters within the 
exclusive economic zone. 
(2) COVERED CORAL REEF SPECIES.—The term 
‘‘covered coral reef species’’ means any marine reef 
species designated by the Secretary of the Interior 
under subsection (a). 
(3) DESTRUCTIVE COLLECTION PRACTICE.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘destructive 
collection practice’’ means any practice used to 
take an individual of a covered coral reef spe-
cies that involves the use of any of the fol-
lowing: 
(i) Reef-dredging. 
(ii) Explosives. 
(iii) Poison. 
(iv) Any other destructive collection 
practice identified by the Secretary of 
Commerce by regulation, in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Interior. 
(B) PRESENCE OF POISONS.—For the pur-
poses of this paragraph, the presence of any 
poison, or any metabolite associated with any 
such poison, in an individual of a covered coral 
reef species shall constitute evidence that poison 
was used in the take of such individual. 
(4) EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC
ZONE.—The term 
‘‘exclusive economic zone’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fish-
ery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1802). 
(5) MARINE REEF SPECIES.—The term ‘‘marine 
reef species’’— 
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(A) means a marine species that— 
(i) as determined by the Secretary of 
the Interior, lives primarily within a coral 
reef, including species of coral; and 
(ii) is collected commercially for the 
aquarium and curio trade; and 
(B) does not include a marine species de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) that is ordinarily 
taken for human consumption. 
(6) 
QUALIFIED
AQUACULTURE
OR 
MARICULTURE
FACILITY.—The 
term 
‘‘qualified 
aquaculture or mariculture facility’’ means an aqua-
culture or mariculture facility that, with respect to 
a covered coral reef species— 
(A) only sells individuals of the covered 
coral reef species that are produced by such fa-
cility; 
(B) operates in a manner that is not detri-
mental to the conservation of the covered coral 
reef species in the wild; 
(C) operates in a manner that does not 
harm the coral reef ecosystem of the covered 
coral reef species, including by introducing non- 
indigenous species or pathogens; and 
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(D) operates with safeguards sufficient to 
prevent the escape of— 
(i) captive individuals of the covered 
coral reef species; and 
(ii) eggs, larvae, young, fragments, 
and other organs of propagation of such 
covered coral reef species. 
(7) QUALIFIED COOPERATIVE BREEDING PRO-
GRAM.—The term ‘‘qualified cooperative breeding 
program’’ means a cooperative breeding program 
that— 
(A) is designed to promote the conserva-
tion of a covered coral reef species and main-
tain such covered coral reef species in the wild 
by enhancing the propagation and survival of 
such covered coral reef species; and 
(B) is developed and administered by, or in 
conjunction with, an aquarium, conservation, or 
zoological organization that meets standards es-
tablished by the appropriate Secretary. 
(8) QUALIFIED
SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED
MAN-
AGEMENT PLAN.—The term ‘‘qualified scientifically- 
based management plan’’ means a scientifically- 
based management plan that— 
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(A) provides for the conservation of a cov-
ered coral reef species and the habitat of such 
covered coral reef species; 
(B) provides that individuals of a covered 
coral reef species are taken in a manner and in 
quantities that— 
(i) do not threaten the biological sus-
tainability of such covered coral reef spe-
cies or the role of such covered coral reef 
species in the coral reef ecosystem of such 
covered coral reef species; and 
(ii) minimize the adverse impact of 
the take of such covered coral reef species 
on the coral reef ecosystem of such covered 
coral reef species; 
(C) addresses factors relevant to the con-
servation of the covered coral reef species, in-
cluding— 
(i) illegal trade; 
(ii) domestic trade; 
(iii) subsistence use; 
(iv) disease; 
(v) habitat loss; and 
(vi) cumulative effects of the take of 
the covered coral reef species; and 
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(D) prohibits the use of destructive collec-
tion practices. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this section. 
Æ 
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