Reefkeeping is NOT under attack
I'd like to ask that we try our best to steer clear of political rhetoric. The last few responses have all been very politically and ideologically charged, and I will play no part in it.
Yes, but they have there place in the conversation. And much of what the CBD asserts as fact is nothing more than rhetoric.
Leonard, show me the real scientific data where these coral species are in fact declining. One of my LFS's recently posted videos of forests of Euphillia growing crazy in Japanese shipping channels. I can't tell you the exact species, but they're thriving. Last year we discovered corals are growing in Miami right smack on filthy ports. Some of the proposed species are deep water corals which makes determining their distribution and number extremely difficult. Did anyone evaluate these sites?
The whole process by which we came to where we're at today discussing this is my problem. If the NOAA and the NMFS is to have any credibility when it comes to determining whether an animal is threatened or endangered they damn well better use every resource to collect and evaluate true data.
If say for example, the CBD, NOAA, NMFS et al. conducted research on a number of reefs and sampled DNA for correct identification and determined that there were X amount of this species distributed throughout the world in a specific year, say 2010 for example. And then repeated that process over Y amount of years and came to the conclusion that the evaluated species is in fact declining. We had X number of corals and now there's only Z. I think 99% of hobbyist would absolutely be FOR that species to be listed on the ESA (With an exemption for permitted mari/aquaculture facilities to be the only commercial distributors within the US territory, while also exempting the average hobbyist from trade, as they simple don't have the means or access to obtain wild species). But unfortunately that is not what has happened. And that's why there is so much push back.
Also, some would argue, well it's better to just side error on the side of caution. No. There are 10's of thousands of families who rely on this hobby to feed their families. They will be directly effected so the NOAA and NMFS better be damn sure they are right.
In my opinion, the NOAA/NMFS should halt any decision on this rule and request the proper scientific data. Then revisit the issue.