Re: NANFA-- Feeding Fish - In the Wild

Katrina kruse (underseavisions_at_attglobal.net)
Tue, 25 Jan 2000 15:02:59 -0800

Hi... They weren't ever in danger, just an occasional by -catch. I was diving
with someone at the time who was a huge wolf-eel fan, and the two of us regularly
visited specific wolf-eels. As other divers began noticing them as well, this
friend thought it wise to seek protection prior to any problems, fearing that
members of spear fishing groups may want an impressive kill -- and since the
wolf-eels are sitting ducks. So, he wrote up a letter to fisheries (I helped
refine and edit it) asking that the taking of wolf-eels be prohibited based on the
grounds that it would be inhumane to take an animal as beautiful and trusting as a
wolf-eel. We were amazed that protection was granted. This may be a tactic that
might work for other fish -- one that may actually work -- protection should occur
BEFORE the species is on the way out regardless of whether or not it is an edible,
commercial commodity! I will try to dig out the original letter so you can see how
it was crafted. The most important thing was that photographs and diver
interactions were provided as well to back up the verbiage. When the public
hearings were set up people went -- another plus. katrina

"Whitlock, Steve" wrote:

> Jeff/Katrina,
>
> So, what were the wolf eels in danger of prior to being protected? Fishing?
> I grew up on the Puget Sound and never heard of a wolf eel being caught, but
> would be interested to know
>
> In regards to the feeding issue, I think one big consideration is if they
> are being fed their natural food. (like katrina pointed out.) It's not
> like feeding marshmellows to the bears of Yellowstone, or hershey kisses to
> Rocky Mountain Sheep.
>
> SW
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kruse, Jeff
> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 2:25 PM
> To: 'nanfa_at_aquaria.net'
> Subject: Re: NANFA-- Feeding Fish - In the Wild
>
> I think feeding fish or other animals on a limited basis is OK.
>
> With regards to the wolf eels that Katrina is talking about, it is a very
> wonderful experience and I try to share this with others as often as I can
> (Jay, you to could see this for yourself). Katrina's friend who showed
> Katrina how to feed the wolf eels was instrumental in getting the wolf eels
> protected in Puget Sound. I believe this protection outweighs the negative
> aspects of feeding a few animals. If this person did not feed these
> animals would he have spent the time to get them protected?
>
> The dive site that we are talking about can only be dove at slack tide on a
> small tidal exchange witch doesn't happen to often. The wolf eels are left
> to fend for themselves for most of their meals.
>
> jeff
>
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/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org