Even though I think that this discussion has gone on long enough, I would
like to point out that butterflies and beetles are often severely
over-harvested by hobbyists and persons supplying the hobbyist market.
Another hobby that endangers species is the collecting of orchids. Also in
a similar vein, the collecting of cactuses and succulents can be
debilitating to natural populations. These plants can be severely impacted
by collecting by hobbyists or those supplying the hobby.
Fungus collectors are often blamed for over-harvesting the objects of their
desire.
A few minutes of research online should prove these ascertains to be true.
The removal of any animal or plant from the environment should involve moral
considerations. Birdwatchers even are aware that observing wildlife can
alter behavior. Many rare birds get driven off territory or nests by being
overly disturbed by those folks who like to chase rarities that are "staked
out."
Personally, when I collect, I follow all the rules, and I try to collect
species that are exotic to my area, or are extremely abundant. If possible
I try to collect from fish stranded in pools isolated by receding waters.
These animals are doomed anyway, and their removal should not impact the
population, although it may deprive herons and raccoons a bit of food.
Norm Edelen
Portland, Oregon
________________________________
A Proud Member of
The Greater Portland Aquarium Society.
www.gpas.org
The North American Native Fishes Association
30 years of conservation efforts, public education,
and aquarium study of our native fishes.
www.nanfa.org
Lake Baikal Endemics Rock!
_________________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: <Moontanman_at_aol.com>
To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 3:20 AM
Subject: Re: NANFA-- Collecting ethics
In a message dated 1/13/04 5:45:11 AM Eastern Standard Time,
coelacanth_at_btinternet.com writes:
>
> But by that time the population had dropped to a level that was almost
> certainly unable to sustain itself given the lack of coherent conservation
> networks. All they did was speed the end by a few years.
> /
I doubt that we are going to find any animal that was brought to extinction
by over collecting by hobbyists even though we do catch the blame for this
through insinuation. Nonetheless even if collecting by hobbyists isn't the
primary
cause it can be the straw that broke the camels back in some cases. My
thoughts on this issue is that the worst reason for species becoming rare
should be
addressed first but while a species is under extreme stress due to habitat
destruction collecting them for the hobby is not a good idea. I just get
tired of
hearing how hobbyists are destroying the environment by collecting while
other far more destructive problems are being ignored. Hobbyists are an easy
target, hobbyists catch the blame for the decline of coral while thousands
of tons
of coral is dredged up and burnt to make concrete or cut into blocks to
build
houses. The amount of coral taken as live coral for aquariums is so tiny
compared to the big problems by it's self it would make no difference in the
coral
population at all. But if you ask many professionals they will state that
the
aquarium hobby is to blame in a heart beat. I am willing to take
responsibility for my mistakes but I resent very much being blamed for what
I haven't done
just because I don't have the political power of large corporations. As for
Nick, he is more experienced than most of us put together and off hand
remarks
about his experience when you don't know him is wrong. He has contributed to
my
knowledge base in many ways and his willingness to share his knowledge and
experience is one of the things that makes the NANFA list special.
Moon
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a
troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be
left to
irresponsible action. -- George Washington
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