In order to protect endangered speciesThe California Supreme Court determined that from that moment on Bumblebees fall into the category of fish. This decision will have a positive impact on its conservation. The controversial ruling was based on a law enacted in 1970.
The judges declared that From an everyday point of view, fish live in waterHowever, after many studies, the technical commission determined that the California Breed and Fish Code includes mollusks, invertebrates, crustaceans, and amphibians, encompassing both aquatic and terrestrial species.
In California, a court rules that bees are actually fish.
According to the data presented by the United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceBees are among the species that have experienced the greatest decline since the 1990s. Therefore, they were listed as endangered in a published report, which required all relevant organizations to implement immediate measures to prevent their extinction.
A step in this direction has been taken by the California Supreme Court, after determining that the bumblebee, A terrestrial species with invertebrate characteristics falls under the definition of a fishThey considered it ambiguous that the reference was only made to aquatic creatures. Although the decision is somewhat strange, insect protection groups and other conservationists have welcomed it.
The state Supreme Court has taken a closer look and confirmed that bumblebees are indeed fish, in a ruling that has positive implications for the state's insects (aka fishies).https://t.co/eidViYRN6F
- IFLScience (@IFLScience) September 26, 2022
One of the voices that expressed satisfaction was Pamela Flick, director of the Defenders of Wildlife program. He said that this was a great day for California bumblebees, confirming that the Endangered Species Act applies to all genera, which is a giant step toward protecting the state's biodiversity.
The court acknowledges in the ruling that From a biological point of view, bees are not fish Therefore, crossbreeding between the two species is impossible. However, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye stated that although the law does not explicitly use the term "insects," interpretations of the relevant sections indicate that invertebrates may fall under this category. In previous years, farmers, construction companies, and pesticide manufacturers argued that these genera were not protected because they were not explicitly mentioned in the text.
A resolution that protects bees and other invertebrate species
At first glance, the measure seems contradictory. But, The central idea behind all of this is to protect all species that are in danger of extinction. This is as Sarina Jepsen, director of the Xerxes Society, states, who says that with this decision some of the threatened pollinators can be saved from disappearing completely.
Now, the next step rests with the California Fish and Game Commission. This group is responsible for to grant due protection, and to request any necessary amendments to clarify the ambiguities in the old legislation. In 2018, an organization called Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Food Safety submitted the request to protect the western bumblebee, Franklin's and Suckley's cuckoos, as well as Crotch's cuckoo.
Are bees fish? Yes, at least in the legal system of California, where they were classified as such to ensure their protection as endangered species 😌🐝 pic.twitter.com/3Xq4yPVXz5
— PlayGround (@playground) June 6, 2022
Among the reasons given for the solitude were the decline resulting from diseases, climate change, pesticides and habitat loss. To date, small populations have been observed in Ontario and 13 other states. It is important to note that, unlike traditional honeybees, bumblebees are essential for the pollination of flowers, especially vegetable crops such as tomatoes.
The specific case of the pesticide used in gardensForests, lawns, and crops are a serious threat because the entire plant absorbs the insect, and when consumed, it causes the death of the insects. The most damaging season is the first few months of the year because at that time the entire colony depends on the work of a solitary queen who survives the winter.
According to a research paper published a couple of years ago in the journal Science, unlike in 1974, It is now 50% more difficult to spot a bumblebee in any location in North AmericaIt is shown that the same is happening with many common species that once lived in a particular environment and have now become almost entirely extinct. One of the reasons given for this negative impact is related to climate change.
They determined that There are fewer bumblebees in regions where extreme temperature changes occur.Peter Soroye, who led the research, indicates that the declines are evident in areas where species have had to endure climates different from those of previous eras. In these cases, two factors come into play: they either die out completely or they move to another area in search of refuge.
The suggestion drawn from the research includes the creation of parks or increasing tree planting in urban environments. This will provide them with new places to take refuge when temperatures rise dramatically. Similarly, they recommend that residents with gardens plant native flowers that attract bees.
The protection and preservation of these species is important for everyone. Not only for the agricultural and economic sectors, but also It also influences the food security of countries. Bees are allies of 2.000 billion small farmers worldwide, and the honey they produce is used for various purposes, including medicinal and food uses.
For all the benefits, The UN declared May 20th as World Bee Daywith the intention of committing to rebuilding ecosystems and raising awareness to prevent the disappearance of these species. During the sessions, they explained that if these species disappear, crop yields will decrease, which will affect the quality of diets, making them increasingly unbalanced. That is why they wholeheartedly embraced one of the slogans, We need to act now.
