This title is not hyperbole. The US Koi industry is facing a very serious threat. We would not alert you to this new development or ask for your help otherwise.

What is happening

The Center for Invasive Species Prevention (CISP, a private, non-government organization) has petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to add 43 species to the Injurious Species list. The list includes Cyprinus carpio, a.k.a common carp or koi.

What this means

Inclusion on the Injurious Species list will make transportation of koi across state lines illegal. If this were to happen, production and importation of koi in the US would no longer be economically feasible. This would effectively eliminate the US Koi industry—overnight.

Thousands of people would be left jobless, millions of dollars of revenue would be lost from the US economy, and each and every state would lose tax revenue.

What is being done

The National Aquaculture Association (NAA) is a private entity designed to help in the fight against changing regulation which would be harmful to the aquaculture industry in the US. Next Day Koi has been in contact with the NAA to offer our full support and help in fighting this regulation change.

The NAA has assured Next Day Koi, as well as many other businesses in the industry, that they are hard at work formulating a plan for the most effective and efficient way to fight and oppose this regulation change. Next Day Koi, and other affected parties, are receiving regular updates from the NAA regarding the steps being taken in this time-consuming process.

What can you do?

Spread the word

Raising awareness of this issue among those involved in the industry is critical at this point. Share this blog post with anyone you know who is involved in the koi industry. Your friends, your koi club, your local garden center and any koi forums and discussion groups you are a member of. Anyone with a stake in this issue. GET THE WORD OUT! The more voices that are heard, the better chance we have of defeating this!

Keep up to date

Subscribe to our newsletter. As we receive updates from the NAA, we will pass them along to you as quickly as possible.

Contact your elected officials

Make it known to your elected officials that you are strongly opposed to this change in regulation. Find your elected officials here. Call, write or email your officials’ offices to express your opposition to this change in regulation.

Be firm but polite in your communication with your elected officials. Use this template email if you would like.

Contact US Fish and Wildlife Service at the appropriate time

At the appropriate time, we will contact you with instruction and direction as to how to comment on this matter with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Sign up for our newsletter to be kept up to date on this issue.

Commenting at the appropriate time and through the appropriate channels will ensure that everyone’s voice and opinion on the matter is heard. We ask that you refrain from contacting US Fish and Wildlife Service until a clear plan of action has been set forth. Just know that we are doing everything in our power to make sure this doesn’t become a reality.

We understand how important this issue will be to everyone involved in the koi industry. We would like to thank you in advance for your support and help in this time of need.

We can be reached for questions or comments at regulations@nextdaykoi.com.

Casey and Josh LeFever

Owners

Next Day Koi, Inc.