NANFA-- RE: Captive-bred fish

Jay DeLong (thirdwind_at_att.net)
Tue, 28 Aug 2001 13:58:04 -0700

> > In a conversation with a Forest Service official a
> > few months ago, she mentioned that some biologists
> > are anti-collecting, that they believe that wild
> > animals should be left in the wild
>
> I have thought about this for a long time, and I have come to the
> conclusion
> that the "look but don't touch" attitude that is more and more
> prevalent is
> doing conservationists a disservice. If we humans are not allowed to
> actualy enjoy our natural heritage, then why the hell should we care about
> protecting it? The biologists who promote this pont of view are certainly
> not depriving themselves - but they feel that if you're not part
> of the club then you shouldn't be allowed to play.

I agree with your general viewpoint. I don't agree that the "look but don't
touch" attitude is dangerously prevelant by any means-- just in the minds of
people who want access for profit, or think they should be able to go where
ever and whenever they want. Or people who have made environmental
protection a political or intellectual pursuit without wanting to understand
the facts and processes behind protecting sensitive habitats.

--
Jay DeLong
Olympia, WA
"If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do
not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts?
To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent
tinkering."
~ Aldo Leopold (1953)

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