Northern Snakehead (Channa argus). Snakeheads, normally found in Asia and Africa, could become a serious threat to our native fish as well as other aquatic species. Photos: USGS, Florida Caribbean Science Center

The Lacey Act (pdf) is a law that dates back to the early 1900’s and is one of the oldest wildlife related laws on the books. Under the Lacey Act, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to regulate the importation and transport of species, including offspring and eggs, determined to be injurious to the health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the U.S.  Wild mammals, wild birds, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles are the only organisms that can be added to the injurious wildlife list. 

Species listed as injurious may not be imported or transported between States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the U.S. by any means without a permit issued by the Service. Permits may be granted for the importation or transportation of live specimens of injurious wildlife and their offspring or eggs for bona fide scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes.

An injurious wildlife listing would not prohibit intrastate transport or possession of that species within a State, where those activities are not prohibited by the State.