Interesting fact concerning collecting corals

[sytanek]

Just thought I would share this little tidbit I learned while trying to decipher the Florida Fish and Wildlife Rules.

Zoos, polyps, and mushrooms are all considered anemones under Florida Laws. Anemones are all allowed to be taken. Just thought I would share this in case anyone was wondering.

In regards to Octocorallia, I can not determine the actual legalities. The Fish and Wildlife site says you can collect certain Octocorallia corals, while the state site says you can not collect any corals. argh.

 

[chrisstie]

I believe in the rules that talk about bag limits and what not and personal use collecting you can collect octocorallia or whatever they call it - gorgonians\fans etc but there are certain species listed you specifically cannot collect.

I haven't actually like found anything like that growing so I haven't really worried about it but it only lists the name in latin so you'd havet o do some identifying before going out to collect so you don't mix up the right and wrong ones

its weird. it'd be nice if they could make the law more clear so those of us who try to follow it could actually understand it eh?

 

[sytanek]

the mushrooms, polyps and zoo's arent under the octocorallia, they are listed under anemnes.

The problem Im having with octocorallia is one agency(FWC) says you can take certain ones, while the other (State of Florida) says you can't take any.

 

[o2zen]

Those rules are so hard to figure out. Take bag limit for snails states 20 total of any mixed species on the MARINE SPECIES list and offers a link to the list but then there are no snails on the list other than starsnails.

So it reads that if its not a regulated species you can collect 100 lbs or 2 fish, which ever is greater.

So, argh, whats the real law and how is Johnny-Law gonna read it when he looks in my bucket

They need a Florida Collecting for Dummies book that has only pictures with a big colored number in the corner. RED ZERO is NO. YELLOW # is TOTAL OF ALL YELLOW you can take. GREEN # if TOTAL OF SPECIES you can take. And WHITE DOT is UNREGULATED.

 

[sytanek]

850.922.4340.

Ellinor, Daniel S. [daniel.ellinor@MyFWC.com]

If someone wants, this guy is supposed to be able to help, but I would recommend calling him. Because when i emailed him, the answer he replied to my question was copied right off the document I referenced when I emailed them and asked for clarification. Argh.

 

[sytanek]

"They need a Florida Collecting for Dummies book that has only pictures with a big colored number in the corner. RED ZERO is NO. YELLOW # is TOTAL OF ALL YELLOW you can take. GREEN # if TOTAL OF SPECIES you can take. And WHITE DOT is UNREGULATED."

ROFLMAO ..... I agree? lol

They could dedicate it to the poor guys on the orca forum at rc who cant figure out how to read the complex friggin rules we created.

 

[lifesworksataol]

or maybe we should get collectors license? haha - nice way to spend 75.00 hard ones

 

[loosbrew]

or maybe we should let it be and not collect at all?

just a thought?

 

[jsl6v8]

that or collect and not get caught by johnny law? just another option. Where are some good places to get some hermits and snails?

 

[ricanboy57]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9462219#post9462219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by loosbrew
or maybe we should let it be and not collect at all?

just a thought?

haha, you're just looking to start a flame war.

 

[sytanek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9462667#post9462667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jsl6v8
that or collect and not get caught by johnny law? just another option. Where are some good places to get some hermits and snails?

Sebastian Inlet I would say is the best. But snails can be found almost anywhere....just walk out throw a piece of cocktail shrimp on the ground in the water and they will come.

Feed them, and they will come.

 

[sytanek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9462219#post9462219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by loosbrew
or maybe we should let it be and not collect at all?

just a thought?

Hrmmm buy from stores who go out and collect snails for me and pay rediculous prices, or go to the beach and pick them up myself..... My bank account is saying don't be lazy and go get the things yourself.....

 

[lifesworksataol]

you shouldnt have replied to that post - just keeping it going - going to have another thread like mine

 

[sytanek]

yeah that is true ok new subject....lol

Glad to see yall made it back ok, was it worth the trip?

 

[lifesworksataol]

i already posted on my thread about it

 

[sytanek]

yes you did, but you never said if it was really worth the drive.

 

[loosbrew]

nah, im not trying to start anything, im just saying,,, if you're really not sure what to take from the ocean, why take it? why risk being wrong and potentially get in trouble?

it was just a thought really, but hey, lately it seems no one can say anything about respect for the very thing you claim to respect, but dont, without being given crap. someone needs to throw in different ideas even if you dont agree with them.

 

[chrisstie]

I think the way you just said it "if you're not sure don't take it" actually is a good thing to keep in mind.

When I went out collecting I found a TON of stuff.. only took a few pictures but there was so much stuff I knew either a) was off limits b) would eat coral c)what the heck IS that?!?!! that it wasn't worth putting in my bucket to even think about or risk

When I found a few little gobies.. they were what I was looking for and matched the legal jargon for what we were allowed to take so in they went.

And a few extra free snails never hurt anyone but algae

 

[cowboyswife]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9464137#post9464137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by loosbrew
nah, im not trying to start anything, im just saying,,, if you're really not sure what to take from the ocean, why take it? why risk being wrong and potentially get in trouble?

it was just a thought really, but hey, lately it seems no one can say anything about respect for the very thing you claim to respect, but dont, without being given crap. someone needs to throw in different ideas even if you dont agree with them.

See the problem with the internet is that we can not assume the tone of what a person says. What you said could have been read and interpreted differently by different people. Personally, I found it rude, but someone else may think otherwise.

 

[A.T.DAWG]

can some one please post some links to all the rules for collecting I would like to read through so If I ever stumble across something I might actually know if I could take it back home

Thanks
Andrew