Current Events > In California, bees are now legally considered fish

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/weird/endangered-bees-are-fish-california/67-b0d333ec-b7ef-4b39-becf-4e34efbab79d

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Youve seen bumblebees buzzing by, collecting pollen from flowers to make honey. But, have you ever seen one underwater?

Probably not. However, a California appeals court says they dont have to be underwater to be legally considered fish in the state.

The ruling comes after a legal dispute that started in 2019 between the California Fish and Game Commission and major agricultural groups. The Commission wanted to list four species of bumblebees as endangered species. Those species are the Crotch, Franklin, Suckley, and Western bumblebees.

Their reason for listing bees under fish? The Commission says bees are invertebrates, falling under the California Endangered Species Acts (CESA) definition of fish. But, agricultural groups that include almond, citrus, and cotton growers disagree, calling it a violation of CESA.

During the first trial in 2020, the court ruled in favor of these agricultural groups, finding CESA doesnt protect all invertebrates. After the ruling, the Commission took bumblebees off the list and appealed the courts decision.

Now, the Court of Appeal of the State of Californias Third Appellate District has reversed the decision, disagreeing with the original ruling about CESAs definition of a fish.

We next consider whether the Commissions authority is limited to listing only aquatic invertebrates. We conclude the answer is, no, the ruling reads.

The appeals court concluded CESAS definition of fish is a term of art, and isnt limited to aquatic species. It goes on to say the Commission may list any invertebrate as an endangered or threatened species.

The court also noted animals like frogs fall under CESAs definition of fish, as it includes amphibians.

Now biologically speaking, bees are not fish, as the justices at California's Third District Court of Appeal noted in their ruling. Do not expect a Bee Movie/Finding Nemo crossover anytime soon. However, the court decided that bumble bees can be classed as an invertebrate, offering them protection under the California Endangered Species Act.

Legal gymnastics

So farming companies wanted to use a loophole to kill endangered bees, but California used another loophole to protect them.
Fuck those companies.

...but fish are vertebrates

That's what I was thinking too while I was reading this. I honestly don't understand the purpose of this

"Fish" term is used for aquatic and marine vertebrates and invertebrates.

Shellfish are not fish, but they are protected by the same laws.

This rules that non aquatic/marine invertebrates can be protected under the same act.

Fantastic ruling, weird fucking terminology.

They are trying to find loopholes to protect bees.

this topic: "HAHA CALIFORNIA SO DUMB BEES NOT FISH"

They are trying to find loopholes to protect bees.

this topic: "HAHA CALIFORNIA SO DUMB BEES NOT FISH"

Remember that this is rulings based on a build up of cases going back 60 or so years.

Case law is important, though often somewhat convoluted. C'est la vie. Without restarting our entire legal system, we'll have peculiarities like this. But rewriting all US law would be an absolute nightmare.

I get it now, just...

Like, their spines are right there

So that's where Bumble Bee Tuna comes from.

They are trying to find loopholes to protect bees.

this topic: "HAHA CALIFORNIA SO DUMB BEES NOT FISH"

Expanded protections for endangered species to all endangered invertebrates.

This is why you should read your own article instead of embarrassing yourself, TC.

This is a strange one

This is why you should read your own article instead of embarrassing yourself, TC.

CE famously really hates bees

Clams, prawns, crabs, etc aren't fish either but probably covered under this law in some capacity.

The only thing weird here is that a bee isn't even aquatic.

He's a trumper, of course he doesn't know how to read

I mean they are little bastards that sting people so fuck bees

So, basically, this is just a case of very poor choice of terminology?