HM 1253 Summary

• Urges Congress to direct the National Marine Fisheries Service to withdraw consideration of listing queen conch as a threatened or endangered species

• Identifies queen conch importation, distribution, and sale as significant to commerce and tourism in southern Florida, attracting millions of tourists to local restaurants

• Notes Florida's existing long-term conservation measures including prohibitions on harvesting in state and adjacent federal waters, and restrictions on imports from countries lacking similar protections

• States that queen conch fisheries are currently located in limited federal and U.S. territorial waters under strict regulations

• Requires copies of the memorial be sent to the President, U.S. Senate President, Speaker of the House, and Florida's congressional delegation