Re: NANFA-- Bluenose shiner news

Bruce Stallsmith (fundulus_at_hotmail.com)
Sat, 13 Sep 2003 11:03:56 -0400

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Such a statement to state DNRs could have a good effect just to draw it to
their attention. If worse comes to worst then we can say "we told you so"
for all the good that does... If welaka is listed as Special Concern in any
of these states, it would be a good focal point for asking for GENUINE
concern for the species and trying to stop their systematic elimination in
the wild. All we have to do is do it(!).

--Bruce Stallsmith
Huntsville, AL, US of A

>From: Christopher Scharpf <ichthos_at_comcast.net>
>Reply-To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
>To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
>Subject: Re: NANFA-- Bluenose shiner news
>Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 09:52:24 -0400
>
>BG,
>
>I agree completely! But here's the deal: If unscrupulous collecting of
>welaka is taking place for hobbyists and/or the European aquarium trade,
>then wildlife officials will eventually be moved into action, and *all*
>native fishkeepers may get the blame. In this way, NANFA might be found
>guilty by association. And who knows, access to other (non-imperiled)
>natives might be denied. But if NANFA issues a pre-emptive policy statement
>against the collection of welaka, then NANFA -- and hence all native-fish
>enthusiasts -- will appear responsible and pro-active.
>
>Heck, it might be a good idea to issue such a statement *now*, as a
>precautionary measure. Send the statement to all state DNRs in the welaka's
>range, alerting them to the potential for unscrupulous collecting, and
>urging them to survey all populations and conclusively determine the
>conservation status of the species. NANFA could throw a few dollars in to
>help support the work.
>
>Perhaps some of you LA-MS-FL members can form a welaka work group. Heck, if
>a bunch of animal right nutcases can keep mute swans from being killed, why
>can't NANFA help protect the most beautiful minnow in North America?
>
>Chris
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