"This is a great day for bees": A California court has ruled that they are fish
From today do not call them bees!
A California court has ruled that bumblebees are fish.
The court decided to classify them as invertebrates, allowing them protection under the Endangered Species Act
Not to be missed
15/06/2022
Wednesday, 15 June 2022, 23:33 Updated: 23:41
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
Share on general
Comments
Comments
The woman dancing with bees on her body (Bee Dancer)
This is a "great day" for California bees!
The court ruled that they are fish and therefore will be able to enjoy protection as an endangered species.
So true, biologically bees are not fish, but they will have the same rights as them.
Judges in California's Third District Court have ruled that bumblebees can be classified as invertebrates, allowing them to be protected under the California Endangered Species Act.
"The issue raised here is whether the bumble bee, terrestrial invertebrate, falls within the definition of a fish," the judges wrote in their summary.
According to CESA, "endangered species" can be birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals or fish.
Insects like bees do not fit this definition.
However, the judges interpreted that it was "unclear" whether the legislature intended the definition of fish to apply only to aquatic species.
In fact, they note, the law already applies to terrestrial mollusks.
"Fish, as is commonly understood in everyday language, of course, live in aquatic environments. However, as the Department and the Commission point out, the technical definition in section 45 [of the California Fish and Hunting Code] includes shellfish, invertebrates, amphibians and crabs, all encompassing. Terrestrial and aquatic species, "the judges said.
"Moreover, by virtue of the express language in section 2067, the trinity bristle snail - terrestrial and invertebrate shellfish - is a species threatened by law and could have been defined as such only within the definition of fish under section 45."
Meet, Fish (Photo: ShutterStock, SanderMeertinsPhotography)
The scientific website iflscience reported that the court has ruled that the Fish and Hunting Commission has the authority to list invertebrates as endangered species.
"Next we will consider whether the committee's authority is limited to registering aquatic invertebrates only. We conclude that the answer is 'no'," they write.
"Although the term is commonly referred to as aquatic species, the term used by the legislature in defining fish in section 45 is not so limited."
In short, bumblebees are fish if the Fish and Hunting Commission says they are fish - to provide them with better protection.
The decision, though strange in the way fish and bees are usually defined, was welcomed by groups seeking protection from insects and other conservationists.
"This is a great day for the California Bumblebees," Pamela Flick, director of the Defenders of Wildlife program, said in a news release.
"Today's decision confirms that the protections of the California Endangered Species Act apply to all endangered native species in our state and is critical to protecting our state's renowned biodiversity."
The bumblebees are of great importance in pollination: they flap their wings at such a high speed that they cause the pollen of certain flower species to be released and thus help to propagate them through other insects as well.
This ability is called buzz-pollination, and is unique to bombs - honey bees, for example, are unable to do so with such high efficiency.
Buzzing powder is required for agricultural crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, blueberries, apples, cranberries and potatoes.
"Bees and other pollinators are an integral part of the health ecosystems and the essential pollination services they provide serve us all, making this decision more exponentially significant," Flick explained.
More on Walla!
Where is the most painful bee sting?
To the full article
More in "Do Not Miss":
New research states: Vegetarian food is healthier for your dogs
Phil trampled to death a woman - then came to the funeral to abuse her body
The smart test that detects an increased risk of having a stroke is currently in operation
The ruling also states that other species of insects can be classified as fish, in order to offer them the same protection that is now given to these bees.
"When one in three food bites we eat come from a bee-pollinated crop, this court decision is critical to protecting our food supply," said Rebecca Spector, director of the West Coast Food Safety Center. Within CESA, which are necessary to ensure that endangered species populations can survive and thrive. "
news
Not to be missed
Tags
Bees
Danger of extinction
Fish