anyone go snorkeling in the keys?

[reeffreak9]

So let me get this straight. We can all do whatever we want, even though it's against the law as long as we dont get caught? Thats moronic. I hope you dont teach your kids that idea or your gonna have your hands full.

 

[hexedagain]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9925074#post9925074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaveG99
I said it before....You speed and you face the possability of a speeding ticket. You collect some live rock and you face the possability of a fine. You do a wheelie like my avatar and you can go to jail. But does it stop everyone? Just because its against the law it doesnt mean its hurting anyone. I can see it now. People are goinjg to flame away on me! And I have been on a boat that was searched by the florida fish and wildlife officers or whatever they are called. They found some dead corals this girl that was with us found on a beach along with some shells and such. All they did was make us throw it back in the water. You dont get in a lot of trouble for taking a rock or two. Most of the stuff I collected was legal anyway. And let me tell you the locals sometimes ***** at you for collecting fish. Its happened to me. They dont seem to understand that the guy fishing with a pole is taking more fish than I am collecting. And the laws ARE made for the guy who wants to collect and then turn around and sell the stuff. THAT could damage the keys. They just changed this law back in the late nineties. You used to be able to take as much rock as you wanted. This was the case for many years. The only reason the laws changed is political reasons and maybe a tree hugger got put into office. Do what you want. I personally would collect rocks in a heart beat if I lived near the keys still. But, unfortunately I live in Dallas now.


Also wanted to add so you people don't think I am the devil evil coral collector. I agree with the idea of having protected amrine sanctuaries such as the ones off shore in the keys. When ever I dive or snorkel the reefs I always respect it and never take anything. I also use the yellow bouys to tie up the boat. But on the side of a road about 10-20 feet from shore you should be able to do what you want.

I'm not going to flame you. I do not agree with you, at all.
I understand the whole, if you speed thing you are trying to sell. But collecting from a protected area, and collecting what could and most likely are either protected or endangered species, now that is just irresponsible on your part. You should also never make a statement like that in a public forum.
For the simple fact that my 14 year old nephew reads this forum, and I would hate for him (or any other youngster on newbie to the hobby) to think this is acceptable.
Man I wish you would have thought about that, before you showed such disrespect for State Laws.
Remember, I am not flaming you, just posting my opinion like you did.

 

[cowboyswife]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9925074#post9925074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaveG99
I said it before....You speed and you face the possability of a speeding ticket. You collect some live rock and you face the possability of a fine. You do a wheelie like my avatar and you can go to jail. But does it stop everyone? Just because its against the law it doesnt mean its hurting anyone. I can see it now. People are goinjg to flame away on me! And I have been on a boat that was searched by the florida fish and wildlife officers or whatever they are called. They found some dead corals this girl that was with us found on a beach along with some shells and such. All they did was make us throw it back in the water. You dont get in a lot of trouble for taking a rock or two. Most of the stuff I collected was legal anyway. And let me tell you the locals sometimes ***** at you for collecting fish. Its happened to me. They dont seem to understand that the guy fishing with a pole is taking more fish than I am collecting. And the laws ARE made for the guy who wants to collect and then turn around and sell the stuff. THAT could damage the keys. They just changed this law back in the late nineties. You used to be able to take as much rock as you wanted. This was the case for many years. The only reason the laws changed is political reasons and maybe a tree hugger got put into office. Do what you want. I personally would collect rocks in a heart beat if I lived near the keys still. But, unfortunately I live in Dallas now.


Also wanted to add so you people don't think I am the devil evil coral collector. I agree with the idea of having protected amrine sanctuaries such as the ones off shore in the keys. When ever I dive or snorkel the reefs I always respect it and never take anything. I also use the yellow bouys to tie up the boat. But on the side of a road about 10-20 feet from shore you should be able to do what you want.

That is just wrong on so many levels. I agree wtih Hexed, very well said.

 

[chrisstie]

I think there is a member here in this club and forum who can attest to how wrong things can go from talking one rock or two.

Its also fine that you feel this way but to be so nonchalant about it on a club board that promotes following laws, regulations, as well as conservation, that is a bit irresponsible so I hope you see where people are coming from. We aren't just saltwater enthusiasts but people who care about our environment so we don't take stuff like that lightly.

 

[silvers]

I agree dont take any thing you know is not legal. I collected some herments a couple of weeks ago I got home and noticed an anem. on the shell of one of the herments .I did not kow the anem. was there I tried to get an Id and I got bashed for collecting, just take what you know is legal. Some people take it way to far ,where do most of the things in your tank come from.Who has compleatly aquacultured tanks lets see them, its not like people are pulling an E.B.

 

[BillyFSU]

And the laws ARE made for the guy who wants to collect and then turn around and sell the stuff. THAT could damage the keys. They just changed this law back in the late nineties. You used to be able to take as much rock as you wanted. This was the case for many years. The only reason the laws changed is political reasons and maybe a tree hugger got put into office. Do what you want. I personally would collect rocks in a heart beat if I lived near the keys still. But, unfortunately I live in Dallas now.

Let's do some math. If its okay for one person to take one rock, what happens when the millions of people who have visited the keys over the past years all take a rock?