more ways WE can help

[firefishbrain]

K, so this hobby is expensive enough but, would anyone else feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside if some of the money where our sales taxes on the stuff we buy (specifcally livestock) went to some sort of reef conservation program to help re-grow the reef, i would happily spend more money if I knew it was going back to the reefs, what are your guys' opinions on this.

 

[lux_06]

as much as id love to more effort put into maintaining our marine environment i cant see any of our governements giving up any money to these causes as there are wars to be won and disaster after disaster to rectify.

 

[firefishbrain]

I'm not talking about what Our government can do, but what we can do to help, I don't think we will waste the marines' time will trying to conserve our environment

 

[spoiledcats]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7709844#post7709844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefishbrain
I'm not talking about what Our government can do, but what we can do to help, I don't think we will waste the marines' time will trying to conserve our environment

However, you were speaking about tax dollars, and the government decides how that is used, not us. I would say if you want to help, contribute to a marine conservation organization.

 

[firefishbrain]

yes I agree with contibuting to that, but I personally think some of the money we pay should go to a consevation program automatically. Just because some jerk is too selfish to think that the animals that we buy come from the ocean, that they are taken from their home and put in a glass box. In ADDITION, some of the people who have the WILD animals don't take the time to learn how to properly care for them... I know I'm not explaining what I'm actually trying to say, but we NEED to help. I'm looking for ways any one of us could give back to what provided us of the beautiful organisms that we have in our homes.

 

[spoiledcats]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7723270#post7723270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefishbrain
yes I agree with contibuting to that, but I personally think some of the money we pay should go to a consevation program automatically. Just because some jerk is too selfish to think that the animals that we buy come from the ocean, that they are taken from their home and put in a glass box. In ADDITION, some of the people who have the WILD animals don't take the time to learn how to properly care for them... I know I'm not explaining what I'm actually trying to say, but we NEED to help. I'm looking for ways any one of us could give back to what provided us of the beautiful organisms that we have in our homes.

If you are talking about tax dollars going to conservation, then you need to lobby in Washington. If you are talking about the private sector helping, then speak with your LFS to see if they will contribute part of the purchase price to conservation.

 

[firefishbrain]

I;m kinda talking about both... I never thought of just asking if my lfs contributes or if they will to a consevation program... man I feel kinda dumb now. sorry, I had to vent my anger somewhere... but thanx very much for the help.

 

[wds21921]

Good point for discussion.

It is sad to think that the hobby (consumers, retailers, wholesalers, companies in general related to the hobby) keeps taking and taking from the only source we have and not really putting much back (for the most part).

I don't know if it's feasible but it would be cool if we could donate through perhaps ReefCentral or at least have someone investigate one of the Conservation Groups that actually use the money to put back as well as research.

Governments have a habit of not fixing things, in fact they're much better at breaking than they are fixing.

 

[firefishbrain]

thank you wds, that's basically what I'm trying to say, that we aren't giving back, and we as hobbyists and consumers aren't taking the RESPONSIBILITY to give back to what supplies our hobby...

 

[spoiledcats]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7732755#post7732755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefishbrain
thank you wds, that's basically what I'm trying to say, that we aren't giving back, and we as hobbyists and consumers aren't taking the RESPONSIBILITY to give back to what supplies our hobby...

No offense, but how do you know what other hobbyists are doing (or not doing as you imply) as far as contributing to conservation of the reefs? Most people who are not boastful types, don't usually talk about what and how much they give back.

 

[firefishbrain]

sorry, I'm really wording this wrong, I"m not trying to flame anyone, even though I sound like it, I apologize. But I work part time at a lfs, and some of the people who walk in the store aren't very responsible and because of their lack of knowledge on how to care for their animal (at the time we don't know how well they can take care of the animals, they are usually new cosumers), it ends in the inevitable death of the animal, which is obviously not good, in addition, they blame us, the people who made the mistake of selling the creature to them, because they couldn't take care of the animal... I'm definately not saying everyone is irresponsible and not contributing, because there are people who do contribute to organizations, but I read somewhere that within a short amount of time (I think it was 50years) 40% of all the reef will be gone. Now it's definately not our fault as hobbyists, but we are the one with the knowledge about this wonderful ecosystem, so it is of my opinion that we should take it upon ourselves to find a way to save the organisms that we cherish in our homes.

again I apologize if it sounds like I insulted anyone, I'm not trying to, I origianlly wanted to find different ways to help, a more hands on way.

I realize that most people are fairly subtle about what they do, but I would like them to share what they do to help, because I want to be more like that. I was looking at organizations that do some more hands on stuff, like greenforce...

please stop trying to shoot me down, I know I sound kinda blunt and not very nice, but right now words fail me, I'm having a hard time trying to express what I'm trying to say...

I'll try to find that article...

basically wds summed up what I was trying to get across as my point...

 

[spoiledcats]

please stop trying to shoot me down, I know I sound kinda blunt and not very nice, but right now words fail me, I'm having a hard time trying to express what I'm trying to say...

I'm really not trying to shoot you down, and apologize if it came across that way. I thought you were looking for suggestions on what to do to help. It's a large issue, but perhaps since you work at a LFS you could start there. Maybe try to suggest your manager buy aquacultured corals and tank raised fish so as not to deplete the reefs. Actually, I think the more hobbyists fragging and perhaps breeding fish is a good thing. Or you could organize a local club, and maybe get some suggestions from fellow reefers.

 

[firefishbrain]

there is a local club, but it's on summer break and we do buy aquaculture if it's availiable. and thanks, I kno you're just trying to help, and thank you.

Has anyone ever done something like greenforce? or something like it?

greenforce is organization where you actually go to a reef and learn to measure the reefs and other conservation activities...

 

[wds21921]

Since many hobbysists don't live near the water (Ocean) I think it's a fair statement to say that not much IS put back. I have no problem if someones wants to question the statement but how many hobbysists get in for 4-5 years only to see failure after failure and completely get out of it all together?
That's just an example. I'm sure they are some who may do something and not post it but I am pretty sure it's safe to say that those are the exceptions and not the rule. I'm not crucifying anyone, it's just that in this day and age of questionable ethics it's hard to say which groups may in fact be doing something that is making an impact and those that are simply funding a hobby or diverting funding.

There seems to be a lot of small groups but nothing that's really large or makes much of an attempt to gain funding publicly. I mean had it not been for Jacques Cousteau how many would even know what a reef looks like?
Someone or something that drives people to think about this part of life is what's missing IMO. It would be nice if that could be channelled also into a conservation effort of sorts.

 

[firefishbrain]

Exactly, you are reading my mind! On that note of jacques cousteau, many people don't know what a reef looks like because later in his life, he got less popular because people (critics) denied that what he filmed was real. thankfully jean-michel is following in his father's footsteps...

I agree that we should try to get the problem out in the open. for example, the depletion of mangrove forests and the like. people are soooo freaked out by stuff like "global warming" and "greenhous effect", but they don't really know what it is and how it can so easily be saved, all it takes is a little time and effort.

thankyou again wds, I am very grateful... just sometimes this stuff is soo hard for me to explain the real way I want to say it, b/c around my friends and family no one really cares... I'm just "the one who's obseesed with fish". it's kinda awkward having a intelligent convesation with other people who are just as excited and as passionate about the future of this hoby as I am...

 

[wds21921]

Oh no does that mean we are going to have to share bi-polar meds when we get older LOL? JK

I understand exactly what your saying and I agree whole-heartedly.

Most hobbyists DON'T give back and I can say that with a degree of strong certainty. We do though try to veer towards a sense of conservation by propogation, mariculterd animals, etc.
That IMO is a huge step in the right direction.

Your right too, a lot can be done if people keep it in mind that there are small contributions we can all make that WILL have a big impact.

If anyone has any sources for any "genuine" reef conservation groups I'd be grateful to see them posted here.

 

[firefishbrain]

DITTO

 

[Mike R King]

www.corl.org

 

[wds21921]

Thank you Mike !!!!!

 

[firefishbrain]

yeah, that's a great find...