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VICTORY FOR THE FROGS!

We are pleased to deliver you fabulous news related to our campaign to stop the importation and sale of American Bullfrogs in California…

The California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) took strong action today (December 13th, 2023) to protect California’s native biodiversity, with policy changes regarding the management of American Bullfrogs. Specifically, the Commissioners unanimously approved the recommendations of the Wildlife Resources Committee, which include the ban on importation and sale of live American Bullfrogs.

While implementation of these policy changes will take considerable ongoing effort, this is a major milestone in the longstanding campaign to prevent further introduction and spread of American Bullfrogs, which cause significant problems for native wildlife when introduced outside their natural range (which is the Eastern USA and Canada).

“Thank you for your years and years of hard work on this issue– such an exciting victory! I’m looking forward to working together more in the future. All the best.
– Katie Nolan, in Defense Of Animals

Watch The Commission Vote

SUMMARY:
1. The California Fish and Game Commission (CA FGC) votes unanimously to ban the importation and sale of American Bullfrogs.
2. The decision follows a lengthy and thoughtful evaluation process, considering competing interests and potential dangers associated with the importation.
3. The stakeholder process has been ongoing for 5+ years, with input from various parties and discussions within the Wildlife Resources Committee (WRC).
4. American Bullfrogs, introduced to California, have caused damage to ecosystems and aquatic wildlife, motivating the commission to take action.
5. The approved strategies will require collaboration with the Department for implementation, including regulatory proposals and potential legislative action.

“No Californian needs to eat, jump, or keep as a pet, an American Bullfrog. Even if they did choose to partake in these activities, there is no reason why they would need a LIVE bullfrog imported in from a foreign country. A frozen frog or a live frog harvested from the feral bullfrog populations of California would suffice and would be far less ecologically harmful than a live imported frog, which would bring with it all its viruses, fungi, bacteria and ectoparasites, and would possibly escape or be set free in the wild to prey upon, compete with, and spread diseases to California’s native amphibian populations. As such, I urge the FGC, the DFW and the politicians of California to do whatever is necessary, as rapidly as possible, to ban or otherwise bring to a complete cessation, the importation of live American Bullfrogs into the great state of California.”
– SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger (who has been speaking on this topic at Commission meetings since May 2010).

Timeline Of Implementation

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife says:
“Typically, after the commission makes a decision, commission staff submits a regulation change package to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). OAL then reviews the change, comes back with amendments/clarifications is needed, and then approves the package. The timeline is dependent on whether or not it’s an emergency regulation, and the workload of OAL at the time. Following the approval, the new law is recorded into Title 14.”

Bullfrog Action Group

The SAVE THE FROGS! Bullfrog Action Group was formed in early 2023 to accelerate governmental action on the bullfrog issue. This is an important victory for us, but our work is not complete, so please do join us if you wish to take action on this issue.