Sinclair <rjs-in-silcom.com> wrote:
Derek, and All:
I'm rather certain Steffan Hellner isn't the person offering a Chinese
Sturgeon on AquaBid about whom we've been talking. I've only met
him once, and that quite briefly,-in-the Northwest Killifish convention
in Portland OR several years ago. He was on the program, but I was
unable to stick around to hear his presentation. However it is my
impression that he is a very serious and responsible freshwater fishes
enthusiast.
I ran a Google check on his name and found several postings by him
to the NANFA list back in 2003.
There was a recent very scathing posting to either the NANFA list or
the NFC list (I forget which) on the subject of Europeans collecting
huge numbers of fishes to take back across the Atlantic for sale in the
aquarium trade. I think Steffan Hellner's name was mentioned in that
regard (but I'm not positive about that). If so, that probably is what his
message concerns.
Bob
Santa Barbara CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Derek Parr"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 6:36 PM
Subject: Re: NANFA-L-- My apaologies to change the topic!
> It's great to hear from you. I presume that you are the one selling the
> chinese sturgeon we've been talking about? If so, there's a lot of
> information lacking, and it would be great to hear where the fish came
> from. We've been having a vibrant discussion on this subject and it is
> great to get your input.
>
> Thanks,
> -derek
>
>
> Steffen Hellner wrote:
>> Dear members of NANFA mailing list,
>>
>> from a friend I received notice that in this mailing list recently my
>> name
>> was mentioned in a negative manner, discriminating me as a plunderer of
>> wild
>> fish for commercial interest. I didn4t follow this list for quite some
>> time
>> because I had to recognize that certain people don4t like foreigners to
>> collect fish in the USA and - even worse - possibly breeding them. It was
>> all about the Pteronotropis hubbsi, and welaka which I liked to get for
>> breeding attempts.
>>
>> As I didn4t find archives for 2006 I cannot proof right or wrong what was
>> colportated to me. However, putting me into the commercial corner or that
>> I
>> was or am plundering nature is more than utter nonsense, it is
>> disgusting!
>> I am aware there are people who are jealous upon my breeding successes
>> particularly with killifish, my work in books, talks, magazines, the
>> species
>> named after me in honor of my fieldwork (keep belted, there is a third
>> "hellneri" on the way), the new species I discovered or whatever. Can4t
>> change this.
>> But I can proof that all my collecting in the tropics or neotropics was
>> legal, and under license of the appropriate authorities of the respective
>> countries. Even last year when I was guest-in-the Northwest Killies in
>> Portland, OR, all fishes I brought in and took out were checked and
>> approved
>> by F&W. So what, ladies and gentlemen?
>>
>> Many of you know that many people, and for sure as well members of this
>> group, are violating federal or state laws over and over again when being
>> out for collecting. Mostly unintentional, sometimes without doubt by
>> knowing
>> what the faults are. Or does everybody of you know all legislation for
>> all
>> states you collect fish in? Must be more than a lawyer. Even people who
>> actively want to keep to any regulations are trapped by the constant
>> change
>> and additional amendments in several states. Even FWS and customs
>> sometimes
>> are not always up to date. Why are so many species endangered,
>> particularly
>> by introduction of exotic or competitive native species: Tigersalamanders
>> throughout the USA, Gambusia elsewhere, snakeheads, catfish, Florida is
>> full
>> of everything ever offered in the pet trade. There are species sent
>> across
>> the USA which are prohibited to possess in certain states. Hardly anybody
>> cares for. Many species are illegal to keep or even import into e.g.
>> Oregon,
>> and California, for example the Axolotl, snakeheads and others. Want to
>> check some public trade sites to proof reality?
>>
>> It is easy, but not really friendly, to publically accuse people off line
>> for things they never did or will ever do. I never have plundered any
>> site
>> where I collected. In most cases there are only a few fish of a seeked
>> species to be found. If many, then a group of 50 out of 1000 is not
>> plundering, or is it? Then many of you must be ashamed for the thousands
>> of
>> NANF collected every year in the wild for the only purpose to keep them
>> in a
>> tank without even attempting to breed them. I breed ALL of my fish, not
>> only
>> killis but as well SRBD with excellent success.
>> I DON`T NEED TO PLUNDER AS I CAN BREED FISH!
>> And I am convinced to the bones that I alone have already bred more fish
>> than those people who try to discredit me all together will ever breed in
>> their life. So better try breeding simple fish before you fantasize about
>> hubbsi or welaka.
>>
>> And regarding "commercialism": breeding fish not only takes time but
>> resources. And if one has nothing to change I will sell my fish, of
>> course.
>> Anybody here ever payed 10.000 bucks for a collecting trip to Brazil or
>> Gaboon? No? And after donated first ever imported and bred fish to
>> friends
>> or clubs? No? Well then, collecting fish for nill in front of your door
>> instead of buying in a petshop is not commercialism. Yap! Including all
>> honorars for books, articles, photos, talks or sold fish, I have spent
>> way
>> more than the prize of a good Merc for my fish hobby over the years.
>> Maybe
>> deficit spending works for states but without doubt not for private
>> persons.
>>
>> My apologies to all honest people in this mailing list for my clear
>> words.
>> But I hope you will understand that I can not keep quiet if such
>> statements
>> are made in the public.
>>
>> sincerely,
>>
>> Steffen Hellner
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/ Association (NANFA). Comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of NANFA. For more information about NANFA,
/ visit http://www.nanfa.org Please make sure all posts to nanfa-l are
/ consistent with the guidelines as per
/ http://www.nanfa.org/guidelines.shtml To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get
/ help, visit the NANFA email list home page and archive at
/ http://www.nanfa.org/email.shtml