Here we go again, FWC on Coral frags via craigslist
- Thread starter AquamanE
- Start date
treetopflyn
New member
It would be interesting to know what he was selling.
AquamanE
Active member
Thats a good question Renee- but i dont think we will know unless he person identifies themselves in our forums.
Unless some of our sleuths here know how to check that kind of thing in public records.
AquamanE
Active member
Doc- i aree about numbnuts in Congress, but come on man...someone selling spiny lobsters, and illegal boas? The ecosystem in our very important Everglades is being invaded by these invasive non native animalks.
Problem is the guy selling corals gets bunched up in same group. Unless as Lacy mentioned he is a chop shop.
Hobbyists are exempt. To what point, im not sure. Ill get the FWC and hobbyist lobbyist for Florida Clubs on here, AGAIN. JEFF FROM SWFMAS
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doggydoc
New member
I agree with you...re boas and spiny lobsters.
But about lovebirds, cockatiels and ESPECIALLY corals that you are GROWING in your living room!!!
COME ON MAN!!!
jdhuyvetter
SWFMAS Event Coordinator
Following with interest. If anyone finds out who was the person selling corals, please pass the info on to me. I would like to talk to them regarding what they were selling and how they advertised.
If in fact, this turns out to be a hobbyist selling a few frags, I will pass it on to my contacts with DOACS and FWC. We are still trying to get a better definition of "hobbyist" between these two agencies. If it turns out to be a commercial vendor or someone selling collected corals (ie local zoanthids, ricordea, etc), then I really don't have much sympathy for them (the seller). They should have known better. If that is indeed the case, then my thanks to FWC for doing their job.
I know that FWC has been monitoring ebay and craigslist for years. There have been several instances of FWC visiting hobbyist homes that I am aware of. The one thing they all had in common was generic sales adds. For example "Live Coral for Sale" or "Tang for Sale". FWC is charged with protecting the native corals and fish in our state. I would expect (and encourage) them to investigate this type of advertisement. Without an accurate description, they have no idea what is being sold. There is a degree of responsibility on the seller. That said, I will not bash the FWC for doing there job.
I am disappointed in the lack of detail in the article. Newspaper could have done a better job.
If in fact, this turns out to be a hobbyist selling a few frags, I will pass it on to my contacts with DOACS and FWC. We are still trying to get a better definition of "hobbyist" between these two agencies. If it turns out to be a commercial vendor or someone selling collected corals (ie local zoanthids, ricordea, etc), then I really don't have much sympathy for them (the seller). They should have known better. If that is indeed the case, then my thanks to FWC for doing their job.
I know that FWC has been monitoring ebay and craigslist for years. There have been several instances of FWC visiting hobbyist homes that I am aware of. The one thing they all had in common was generic sales adds. For example "Live Coral for Sale" or "Tang for Sale". FWC is charged with protecting the native corals and fish in our state. I would expect (and encourage) them to investigate this type of advertisement. Without an accurate description, they have no idea what is being sold. There is a degree of responsibility on the seller. That said, I will not bash the FWC for doing there job.
I am disappointed in the lack of detail in the article. Newspaper could have done a better job.
jdhuyvetter
SWFMAS Event Coordinator
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Tecdiverfl
Member
Until you know what the guy was selling no one has any idea why he was singled out
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PDAlber
New member
I think you are going to have a hard time drawing a definitive line where a "hobbyist" becomes "commercial". I"m on this forum almost every day and frequently search Craigslist for good buys. I see the same people continuously posting ads and advertising various corals and "frag Packs". In the pictures they post, you can see dedicated tanks, where they have dozens, if not hundreds, of frags. For some people, it is an extension of their aquarium and starts as a way to enhance their personal coral collection. However, there's a point when a hobby becomes a business. Here is the legal definition of an aquaculture facility (FSS 379.2523):
“Marine aquaculture facility” means a facility built and operated for the purpose of producing marine aquaculture products. Marine aquaculture facilities contain culture systems such as, but not limited to, ponds, tanks, raceways, cages, and bags used for commercial production, propagation, growout, or product enhancement of marine products.
There is an exemption that states:
"Facilities used by marine aquarium hobbyists."
However, when someone has a significant amount of money invested in large, dedicated, frag tanks, and they are regularly (or continuously) advertising their coral for sale, its not hard for an officer to make the case that it is a for-profit operation.
I don't know the specifics of the case that started this discussion, but I know a thing or two about these types of operations. Usually, in cases like these, undercover officers make multiple purchases from a suspect before making an arrest. By doing so, they can show a pattern of behavior by an individual. The officers make decisions on whether to charge someone based on the totality of the circumstances. I think its unlikely that this person was selling frags from a frag rack in his aquarium, or even from a small frag tank. If he was, then shame on the officers.
“Marine aquaculture facility” means a facility built and operated for the purpose of producing marine aquaculture products. Marine aquaculture facilities contain culture systems such as, but not limited to, ponds, tanks, raceways, cages, and bags used for commercial production, propagation, growout, or product enhancement of marine products.
There is an exemption that states:
"Facilities used by marine aquarium hobbyists."
However, when someone has a significant amount of money invested in large, dedicated, frag tanks, and they are regularly (or continuously) advertising their coral for sale, its not hard for an officer to make the case that it is a for-profit operation.
I don't know the specifics of the case that started this discussion, but I know a thing or two about these types of operations. Usually, in cases like these, undercover officers make multiple purchases from a suspect before making an arrest. By doing so, they can show a pattern of behavior by an individual. The officers make decisions on whether to charge someone based on the totality of the circumstances. I think its unlikely that this person was selling frags from a frag rack in his aquarium, or even from a small frag tank. If he was, then shame on the officers.
AquamanE
Active member
Of course im talking to you Jeff- who else has the knowledge, or contacts you do about this in our local area??
Didnt think about this..Hmmmm
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