coral frag transport laws

[stevelkaneval]

your all just jelouse.

 

[jdmcivicek9]

what i dont understand is why some of you people posting cant get through your head that barnett said he wanted to do it LEGALLY and you still make (IMO) a dumb comment on its illegal and you need a license and youll get fined if you do this etc... when all he wanted was some info on how to do it the LEGAL WAY...if you dont want to help him gather information on going about it the LEGAL WAY then why waste posting space with your negative comments???look barnett if you can get all the permits and get everything cleared through customs more power too you and i hope you post pics of all the sweet corals you picked up that you spent your trip gathering because you thought it was important to you regardless of what anyone else said!!! if i was in your position, a year out from a sweet trip with an opportunity like you have i would do the same thing, gather as much info as i could and see what i could accomplish...worst case scenario being you can get the permits and clearance and cant do it...but at least you can say you gave it a valiant effort...sorry i vented but it just seemed lame all the criticizing for wanting to do somthing the right way...good luck!!

 

[airinhere]

I have asked similar questions and was directed in a couple of useful directions. Here is what I found

The font is black, background is brown, but highlight things and you can read it easily. Lost of good information on this guys webpage
http://www.petsforum.com/characin/carey//carey/articles/97/import_rules.html

Want to see where the reefs are? check this website out
http://reefgis.reefbase.org/default...=1990&mpatoyear=2007&mpayearunspecified=False

Cites Rules from FWS.gov website
http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/cpc.pdf

Get the stuff home Breathing bags
http://www.novalek.com/kordon/breathing_bags/index.htm


Good luck. Make sure you let us all know how you do.

 

[Dave & Monica]

Interesting topic. Just a thought for you, since I’ve lived in Spain and Italy a few times over and have always had a dog, I had to get an import certificate from a vet for my pet. Corals could be pets or to support your pets. It’s a possible avenue. Still doesn’t address the permits to collect but just the importing part here in the US. The certificate was only a few dollars from a vet from the country it left. Also on the same topic I found freight to be very careful all the way around with a pet, i.e. a small cat cage. The folks at the airline will also be able to call down and give instructions, like keep out of the sun and such. Again, you may find a better way but it’s an idea to possibly explore.

I’ve imported wines to the US and paying the permit, shipping, and tax was still cheaper and I was able to get what I want.

Interested how this all pans out for you and I appreciate you posting the question. /Dave

 

[Jake_07]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11296076#post11296076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steven_dean17
I thought that a big part of this hobby was to produce as close as possible an natural looking reef that people could enjoy and learn from. I however did not realize to what point some people would take this idea. It is totaly beyond me how some can justify the taking/stealing of natural reef just to save a few dollars. How exotic does a coral have to be to make a beautiful show piece. How about this idea, "I went to a frag swap and traded for this beautiful.........................? or option 2 "Thats a pretty piece, where did you get it?" "I illegally cut it of a reef and transported into the country." "WOW your soooooooooo cool!" IMO if you have to steal it you don't have the intelligence to own an aquarium. Go ahead argue with me.

Where do you think lfs get most of their corals - collectors who take off the reefs, so whats so bad if you take them yourself. If you take a coral instead of buying it from a lfs it will be exactly the same, either way a coral will be taken off the reef you will just save your self quite a few $$$

 

[grallster]

I wouldn't be surprised that after getting all the permits/permissions and going through the headaches that it still wouldn't be cheaper/easier to buy the stuff at the flea market and UPS them to your house or a close reefer friend.

 

[airinhere]

The way I see it, as a reef enthusiast and a realist, i understand that all coral originally came from the ocean. If I want to spend the time and energy learning to scuba or snorkel and then travel to the places my corals originated from, I should also have the capability to satisfactoraly complete some paperwork to bring whatever I find there home with me.

This is not a cheaper option than going to the LFS. I would not even try to lead someone to believe this.

This is a much deeper level of commitment. I will be responsible for finding my own corals. I will make sure they get to my home safely and I will enjoy them for years to come.

Taking a trip to some South pacific reef is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. It is expensive, time consuming and you need special training just to get to the reefs. Seems like doing the paperwork required to bring them home is the smallest issue anyone should face when considering this type of activity.

 

[barnett8]

Thanks for all of the input everybody. Also, last time I went to Thailand I went to the fish part of their local market, and I brought home a fish legally. So I have had some experience with transport laws and customs but that was before the airlines had their liquid restrictions. I just hope I can get this all sorted out before I leave in a little over a year.