California Spearheading Protection of Bees by Having Them Ruled as Fish

The title is alarming, to say the least, and you probably read it twice. However, this is absolutely true, and thanks to a Sacramento Appellate Court, California is once again making strides in environmental efforts. After a 4-year fight, history was made when the Third California Appeals Court overturned a 2018 ruling that insects, specifical bees, were not protected under the California Endangered Species Act. It is a milestone case that will indeed be used for future protection efforts for pollinators. As expected, the bee community celebrated as a loophole in the definition wording used for protected fish as defined by the California Endangered Species Act led to the protection of four bumblebee species.

Four bee species do not seem so significant if you think about the 20,000 plus bee species out there that contribute to the essential pollination process. However, no matter how small, this overturned decision is a victory for scientists, environmentalists, beekeepers, and bee enthusiasts everywhere. The four bees that are now protected in California are the Crotch bumblebee, the Franklin bumblebee, the Suckley cuckoo bumblebee, and the Western bumblebee. Would an average person be able to distinguish these species among the thousands? Not likely, which is an even bigger win for bees!

Pollination is essential to the health of our plants and crops. Without bees and other insects that help with pollination, produce and grain industries would die with catastrophic results. Bees are finally getting the protection they deserve, being recognized by a broader community for their relevance and importance to the ecosystem as a whole.

What Does This Protection Mean?

The four bumblebee species now protected under the California Endangered Species Act mean more care must be taken when interacting with any bee species. It would be difficult for someone swatting away a bee to tell if it is one of the protected species. Still, it does cause pause for those thoughtlessly and aggressively exterminating active hives from properties in California. Many beekeepers handle hives with care, using experience and knowledge to relocate them safely. Now, the need for reputable beekeepers will inevitably grow to move bees strategically. When relocated, the burden of maintaining the hive’s integrity falls on bee removal companies, but this helps property owners and gets the job done correctly. If someone is caught and reported for mistreating these protected species, there will be fines, and California will not hesitate to enforce hefty penalties!

If you have an active hive near your home or business and need it moved, find a reputable bee removal company that can come out quickly and help relocate the hive. It is often done so swiftly and affordable that people wish they had done it sooner. Having a professional company come and relocate the hive also takes the liability from you, ensuring the bees are safely moved, and the California Endangered Species Act is not violated.

How Can Bees Be Considered Fish?

Well, they are not really fish. The protected species under fish’s definition, as it is written under the California Endangered Species Act, states invertebrates are protected. Although the description does include wording that specifies invertebrate marine life, the court found it was not clear enough to leave out other invertebrates. The 2018 ruling said the protection was only for marine invertebrates, but the appellate court overruled that decision this week.

So, even though bees are not fish, due to how it was written, four lucky bumblebee species get well-deserved protection under the California Endangered Species Act umbrella.

What Does This Ruling Mean Going Forward?

As mentioned, this overturned ruling has left bee enthusiasts enthusiastic! They feel species that are essential to the ecosystem and food production should be protected. They argue that plants are even included in the protected species groups according to the California Endangered Species Act. Bee populations, in general, are on the decline worldwide, and every small step forward is a step in the right direction. As far as legally, what does this ruling mean? Only time will tell. Maybe more bee species will be protected, or perhaps the California Endangered Species Act will be re-written to include insects since bees are not the only essential pollinators. All pollinators keep things growing, even the food for our livestock, so the tireless efforts to get them protected is something many are passionate about.

Bee awareness is on the rise. An increased number of interest groups and researchers sense the urgency to act before too many valuable pollinators disappear. Multiple measures are in place, with a constant and dedicated group of passionate people fighting to provide bees the highest likelihood of success so they can continue to do their jobs in healthy bee commun