I and friends had been collecting a locale in Thailand that have a
special wild betta last year. After half a day we got only a single
female, so we were worried that, since the spot was collected by many
people often, the betta might be wiped out by overcollecting. 2
monthes later when the heavy rains and floods began my friend took a
few anabantoid-lovers from overseas to the same site without much
hope. They ended up getting two dozen bettas with only a few net
swoop... The area is actually inaccessible in most parts with only a
small fraction walkable and collectable, so most betta collected are
likely a small part of the population that spill out of the main
inaccessible area. Maybe wekala is not much different?
Tony
anutej_at_loxinfo.co.th
"B.G. Granier" wrote:
>
> Bruce,
>
> As we all know, when the federal government gets involved, then a bad
> situation becomes even unmanageble, even more-so when a state government
> gets involved.........
>
> DNR is known for it's lack of funding, so how many years do you think it'd
> be before something is actually done for this species?
>
> Call in the USCG and they'll send in the Navy "Seals" and blow away the US
> Army Corps of Engineers?
>
> Let's get real and get some real evidence before we take some drastic
> measures.
>
> BG
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bruce Stallsmith" <fundulus_at_hotmail.com>
> To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
> Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 10:03 AM
> Subject: Re: NANFA-- Bluenose shiner news
>
> > 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
> --
> > /"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
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> > / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page,
> http://www.nanfa.org
> /"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
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> / nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
> / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"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