Dwarf Seahorses Illegal??

[italeri]

I am thinking of starting a dwarf SH tank, and have a 8g Biocube that I can dedicate to them. I went to my LFS today to see how much they could get dwarves in for, and he called his supplier. The supplier said that Dwarf Seahorses are "sanctioned" because they might end up on the Endangered Species list. The supplier also said that it is illegal to buy or sell dwarf seahorses.... Does anyone know anything about this??? I would be really bummed if I can't get these little guys now.... I'm wondering if its only for wild-caught dwarves, and if captive bred are still ok.

 

[namxas]

Not that I actually follow what's happening with zots (don't keep them), but I'd have likely heard about it, which I haven't. At the very least, it would be WC specimens and not CB.

There has been a lot of confusion about SH "sanctions" and CITES going around for awhile now, and I suspect that's the case. Last I heard there was a "90 day finding" by NOAA in May of last year, but I haven't heard what happened with it.

DD, SHS, and (I'm sure others) are still selling zots, but they're CB specimens.

I just shouted out to someone who would know for sure what the current status is...let's see what he sez.

 

[italeri]

I tried to do a little research myself, but couldnt find anything. I was kind of surprised to hear that from my LFS! Thanks for looking this up for me, and please let me know what you find out!

 

[DanU]

The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has petitioned to have H. zosterae added to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Sadly, the petition was full of erroneous information such as the Gulf Oil Spill causing their extinction. The Gulf Spill didn't even effect the main areas in which they are found. Lots of select quotes from studies. Many in the industry from the fisheries to the scientists have opposed the petition. It is still pending. The deadline for a decision is July 3, 2013.

If the H. zosterae get added to the ESA, they will likely be removed from the hobby. No other animal on the ESA is allowed to be kept by a hobbyist. If it gets turned down, then things should go on as they have.

Dan

 

[italeri]

Thanks for the info! I am just wanting to clear this up before I end up spending the money to set up a tank lol

 

[namxas]

The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has petitioned to have H. zosterae added to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Sadly, the petition was full of erroneous information such as the Gulf Oil Spill causing their extinction. The Gulf Spill didn't even effect the main areas in which they are found. Lots of select quotes from studies. Many in the industry from the fisheries to the scientists have opposed the petition. It is still pending. The deadline for a decision is July 3, 2013.

If the H. zosterae get added to the ESA, they will likely be removed from the hobby. No other animal on the ESA is allowed to be kept by a hobbyist. If it gets turned down, then things should go on as they have.

Dan

And there's that "someone who would know" I spoke of...:wave: