Current legislation

[MrMikeB]

I would not pass off the fact nothing has been done as meaning nothing will be done. The bill is very much alive and is just awaiting a more receptive audience to be successful. Most conservation activities have on the surface been on the back burner not because there is lost support, just awaiting the right time. All the exemptions listed do not cover import for hobbyists, so it is squarely aimed at most of us... unless you are actually eating the coral.

 

[GreshamH]

When introduced it was a lame duck bill, for good reason.

I'd be calling out shananagin on Mr Case. IIRC his sister is(at least was at the time) the landlord for a benifiting group of the bill (Marine Aquarium Council).

Just look at the flaws on the cover:

And an would be denied for species taken using any destructive collection practice (e.g., reef-dredging, explosions, or poisons).

No explosives used in this industry :lol: Love how they throw in the extra flack to make it worse then it really is

If passed, the MO industry would be banned from all importations until each country doing the exporting proves it i harvesting in a scientifically sound sustainable manor. Being many of those countries simply could not afford such studies or wouldn't put much effort into them, I could see the entire import COC being cut off for a good length of time. Long enought to force the collectors into other reef activities, like cyanide fishing for groupers, etc. They know one thing, fishing, and that is what they're going to do, law or no law. They will always have a hand on the reef! We give the highest value by far to the reef

 

[matttaylor]

While i do agree that the US is probably the leader in imports of marine animals, i think (from what i've heard) that Japan leads everyone else in terns of money. Japanese reefers are willing to spend more money per animal than we are. Thats why animals cost way more for them than us.

 

[DrDNA]

I will also go on record as being opposed to this bill as written. We already have a regulatory framework for importing and exporting species of concern, it's called CITES. The author of this bill just wants a blanket policy to shut down the importation of all marine species, which is what will be the likely end result. In terms of preserving the reefs, his time might be more well-spent by trying to get third-world countries to stop dumping their open sewers into the oceans...
Well, if someone like Mr Global Warming or Hillary gets elected, don't be surprised if something like this gets passed.
I need to go back and re-read parts of it, but I wonder if we would still be able to get aquacultured specimens (i.e. frags, clams, clowns, etc). I thought I saw in the text that maricultured animals would be exempted. To be honest, I am waiting for the day that the Nation of California decides to ban the import and sale of all non-native species...
Anyway, just my two cents' worth. Don't mean to offend anyone, just contributing to the discussion!

Jeff

 

[MrMikeB]

Jeff, I think you bring a valid point and its well received. I think this bill or something like it sure puts greater emphasis on captive propagation if nothing else save the preservation of the hobby should something this extreme get actually passed at the State or federal level. I really see Cali doing something like this on its own given its past on trying to set the bar on many social issues.