ST. GEORGE — As politicians, scientists and schoolchildren work to raise awareness of the brine shrimp’s impact on the Great Salt Lake’s ecosystem and Utah’s economy, a bill designating the species as the state crustacean passed both houses and was sent to the Governor’s desk.
HB 137, as it was dubbed for the 2023 legislative session, designated Artemia franciscana, a species of brine shrimp native to the Great Salt Lake, as the state crustacean. The bill was sponsored in the house by Rep. Rosemary T. Lesser.
In support of the bill, three sixth-graders from Salt Lake City’s Emerson Elementary School presented to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment committees in the Senate and House.
Lesser said in the House that the students became involved in “their recognition of the important role that the brine shrimp play in the ecosystem of the largest saline lake in North America.”
The Great Salt Lake has been in a drought for over two decades — the worst one in approximately 1,200 years, sixth-grader Camila Reza said.
It is currently at 19% salinity, a concentration that is unhealthy for brine shrimp, which Reza described as “tiny, little, fun, pink aliens” with “their pebble black eyes — just like coal.” The species has been present in the region for over 600,000 years.
Shayla Sissoko said the students were motivated to “bring more attention to the brine shrimp and the Great Salt Lake.”
The crustaceans will be unable to survive if current trends continue and unless “we do something about it.” Additionally, should the lake dry up, it would cost Utah an estimated $1.7-2.2 billion, Sissoko added.
Brine shrimp cysts, or eggs, are sent across the globe to feed commercially-grown fish, supporting a $56.7 million industry and almost 600 jobs, sixth-grade student Jameson Hunt said.
Additionally, the shrimp support populations of birds that “feast” on them before migrating, Hunt said, adding that “if we don’t do something, all the birds that eat the brine shrimp will lose their food source and their home.”
To improve conditions at the lake, Utahns could conserve water or more water could be diverted to the lake, as it “desperately needs it,” Sissoko said.
Dubbing himself the “designated curmudgeon,” Utah House Rep. Casey Snider spoke against the bill’s passing, stating that while he thinks “it’s wonderful that kids are involved in the legislative process,” he’s concerned that the bill isn’t substantive.
“We’re not addressing things,” he said.
The students’ teacher Josh Craner told St. George News that they worked hard and were “really nervous” as the bill reached the last day of the legislative session, as it had not passed in 2022.
HB 137 ultimately passed the Utah House 45-24 and the Senate 23-3 and was sent to the Governor’s Office for signing.
“What’s powerful is that even though they’re young children, they were listened to. They got their voices heard,” Craner said. “And I think that that’s an incredible example for hopefully other young people to be able to do the same.”
In response, Emerson Elementary’s sixth-grade class had a “huge celebration” with a specially-made cake from Harmons Grocery, Craner said. While enjoying the cake, one student said, “This tastes like victory.”
“They feel really proud of themselves,” he said.
The bill’s full text can be read on the Legislature’s website. To watch the Emerson Elementary’s students present on the state crustacean designation in the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, click here.
On the same day that Utah designated a state crustacean, a bill naming the porcini as the state mushroom passed both houses and was sent to the governor’s desk for signing. Read HB 92, as it was titled in 2023, in full here. View our previous coverage of the bill at this link.
Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.
Photo Gallery
Jameson Hunt presents to the Utah House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 15, 2023 | Video still courtesy of the Utah Legislature, St. George News Camila Reza presents to the Utah House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 15, 2023 | Video still courtesy of the Utah Legislature, St. George News Shayla Sissoko presents to the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, with Camila Reza and Jameson Hunt in the audience, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 24, 2023 | Video still courtesy of the Utah Legislature, St. George News After HB 137 passed both houses of the Utah Legislature, Emerson Elementary sixth-graders celebrated with a brine shrimp cake, Salt Lake City, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Josh Craner, St. George News Utah Rep. Casey Snider also opposed HB 137 on the House floor, Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 27, 2023 | Video still courtesy of the Utah Legislature, St. George News Utah Rep. Rosemary Lesser speaks on HB 137 on the House floor, Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 27, 2023 | Video still courtesy of the Utah Legislature, St. George News
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