PORTLAND — Democrat Chellie Pingree bill to protect her Maine’s sea urchin industry by stopping mandatory inspections has passed an important committee.

Democrat Chellie Pingree says the inspections aren’t necessary and result in the loss of a valuable product as it sits waiting for inspection. The bill, introduced by Pingree and Maine Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin, passed the House Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday.

H.R. 4245 was also referred to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs but has not been considered by them.

The bill is designed to put an end to routine, mandatory inspections of urchins and sea cucumbers imported to and exported from the United States. Inspections will resume if illegal trafficking is found to be occurring.

Most processed urchins are sold to markets in Asia. Their roe is used to make sushi.

Maine and California have the most valuable sea urchin fisheries. In 2015 Maine harvested 1,548,742 pounds of urchins, valued at $4,310,222.

While California’s fishery is much larger, Maine’s urchins are typically worth more per pound.