There IS something Fishy going on in our Hobby

[albertthiel]

There's something Fishy going on when they Clown around with our Hobby and Industry ...

The National Marine Fisheries Service is being petitioned to list a number of commonly traded Corals and Fish – including even the common Clownfish – in the Endangered Species Act.

This will effectively end all trade and aquaculture of these species, and make even interstate traffic of them a "Felony", yes a Felony !

Meanwhile, in Hawaii, efforts are underway to close one of the most regulated and sustainable ornamental Fisheries in the World.

Join the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council to-day, and help save the Hobby, the Trade and most importantly the "right" marine species, and not species that are not endangered, and have actually grown in numbers over the years.

Visit PIJAC.ORG/marine and join them to help de-feat laws that are not for the good of the fish, corals and the environment in general !

You "can" make a difference and work for conser-vation at the same time.

This announcement is included here as a Public Service, and an Alert for every Hobbyist of what is on the Horizon that is seriously threatening our Hobby.

It is modeled after a full page ad posted by PIJAC in a few Hobby magazines, including CORAL.

It is not too late to join the movement. Act before it is too late.

It will if we as Hobbyists do not participate in PIJAC's efforts to protect fishes, corals and our Hobby, but in a responsible and logical manner, and not in the way that Politicians and Environmental Groups are trying to go about it now.

PIJAC needs your help whether you are a store owner, work for one or are a Hobbyist and/or breeder/fragger, as fragging too will be prohibited as will selling them to other Hobbyists.

Albert

[Roland]

 Thank you for the post and link. Issues of legislation are always a concern and ultimately what ends up happening is that younger generations are being denied the opportunities to participate in a hobby that seeks to enjoy and maintain wild populations. It is incumbent upon the industry and at the hobbyist level to realize our natural specimens  aren't conjured out of thin air and that efforts are made to understand the ecosystems which they come from.
  The type of legislation described is occurring on a number of fronts regarding new species of animals that are quickly becoming normal household "pets" here in Canada. Laws are drafted at the municipal level against those of us who keep various species reptiles. Increased knowledge and technology allow many more numbers of people to keep animals that where once seen as mysterious and even dangerous. Fear, ignorance  and polling numbers make bad law. I'm a little surprised that that legislation hasn't occurred (yet) regarding certain corals and fish that some would see as toxic or venomous. So far the marine hobby is under the radar in Canada. The situation appears to be otherwise in the US.
Again, it is vital that industry and hobbyists be aware that some interest groups, who have a greater ability to raise funds and lobby government, are active in creating restrictive legislation. It's difficult for me to comment on the marine aquarium hobby, and I do keep a marine aquarium, but being involved with herps and our current legal situation may be a fair warning. 
Anthony Sinn
President of the Ottawa Amphibian and Reptile Association

[albertthiel]

Thank you for the post and link. Issues of legislation are always a concern and ultimately what ends up happening is that younger generations are being denied the opportunities to participate in a hobby that seeks to enjoy and maintain wild populations. It is incumbent upon the industry and at the hobbyist level to realize our natural specimens  aren't conjured out of thin air and that efforts are made to understand the ecosystems which they come from.
  The type of legislation described is occurring on a number of fronts regarding new species of animals that are quickly becoming normal household "pets" here in Canada. Laws are drafted at the municipal level against those of us who keep various species reptiles. Increased knowledge and technology allow many more numbers of people to keep animals that where once seen as mysterious and even dangerous. Fear, ignorance  and polling numbers make bad law. I'm a little surprised that that legislation hasn't occurred (yet) regarding certain corals and fish that some would see as toxic or venomous. So far the marine hobby is under the radar in Canada. The situation appears to be otherwise in the US.
Again, it is vital that industry and hobbyists be aware that some interest groups, who have a greater ability to raise funds and lobby government, are active in creating restrictive legislation. It's difficult for me to comment on the marine aquarium hobby, and I do keep a marine aquarium, but being involved with herps and our current legal situation may be a fair warning. 
Anthony Sinn
President of the Ottawa Amphibian and Reptile Association

Indeed there is no doubt that some legislation is needed and will be beneficial but sometimes what is enacted goes too far and groups and organizations and politicians make wholesale decisions that are far too encompassing and do more harm than good in the long run ... but yes, as time goes by I am sure that more and more restrictions will come about.

Hopefully that will bring about an increased impetus for captive breeding which IMO should not be part of any of the restrictive laws and regulations that are put in place in many areas here in the US and apparently are being looked at in Canada as well

Albert