Responsible fish stores and law enforcement.

[shaneh]

Any laws regarding livestock quality of life? Any enforcement?

I live in the bay area and have been to several fish stores some better than others in regards to the heath they keep the livestock. One store that I have been in is notorious for large amounts for live stock mortality, overcrowded tanks, and ramped disease. I won't mention the name but it's in SF and if you have been around for a while you know the store.

Here is my question- Are any laws in place that limit or regulate the amount of livestock in one tank or water conditions they are kept?

I ride the bus with the head of life support of a public aquarium and they have strict rules they must follow according to the AZA (association of zoos and aquariums) that state how many fish can be in a certain amount of gallons and keep the live stock as happy as possible.

Are any laws or inspections in place to protect the fish that are sold at LFS?

The same idea would be to puppy farms or any breeding program for that matter. The SPCA has strict laws and enforcement for pet owners who neglect the pets a or breeders who provide poor living conditions to the animals they care for. If the care is not adequate the owners can be prosecuted.

I have the same feeling for the LFS if they do not provide a proper tank or water quality they should receive a warning and if it is ignored have a enforcement with fines or some sort of justice.

Stores with overcrowded tanks, bad water and dead livestock give the hobby a bad rap.

I'd like to know what I can do to start a movement to start up enforcement or laws to prevent poor conditions for livestock?

For example: I saw the 610 dead fish story in Hawaii. I think a store or collector should have had to fill out a form or file a statement to the department that is in charge of collectors/ dealers license as to what happened. These statements should be kept for record and if a collector or dealer has a large amount of die off they should be audited for their collections practices and livestock quality of life.

I'm sure this could have been worded better but I think you get my general idea. I want to stop the illegal collecting practices, irresponsible shipping, irresponsible stores and have penalties for the ones who do not take livestock seriously. Any response?

 

[GreshamH]

Short answer, no. There is a reason 6th Ave has been in business for over 20 years and still is able to do such things.

Once you start that ball rolling it won't stop. Be prepared to pay much more if it does go happen. The cost to enforce it will come most likely from permits of which the cost will be passed onto consumers. Given the current economy any added pressure to the LFS will likely do much harm, even to the good ones. Do you want to toss the baby out with the water?

I see more hobbyists killing stuff then stores Should they have to get a permit to keep fish?

There are laws in place re: illegal collection practices (see: Lacey Act)

 

[Paulca916]

Short answer, no. There is a reason 6th Ave has been in business for over 20 years and still is able to do such things.

Once you start that ball rolling it won't stop. Be prepared to pay much more if it does go happen. The cost to enforce it will come most likely from permits of which the cost will be passed onto consumers. Given the current economy any added pressure to the LFS will likely do much harm, even to the good ones. Do you want to toss the baby out with the water?

I see more hobbyists killing stuff then stores Should they have to get a permit to keep fish?

There are laws in place re: illegal collection practices (see: Lacey Act)

+1 great answer gresham.
The best thing we can do is just don't support LFS that have bad husbandry

 

[shaneh]

well that answers it...funny you knew the store I was talking about....just makes me mad if i ever go near the store.