Show Us What You Have Collected!

gemini aquarius(t)

gemini aquarius(t)

Always Learning
I just got back from a Key Largo snorkeling trip, and saw some of the amazing corals and fish that are living right off the beach. So... show me some of the local stuff you have collected and been growing in your tanks!

I want to go collecting badly, so if I see some cool specimens, it will motivate me to get all the forms filled out.
 
Gemini, check local regs... cant collect anything stony, and certain softies have strict regs. Are you scuba certified?

If not, I'm working on my boat trying to get it reliable, as soon as it is, I'll post. I'm trying to get a collecting trip together, and snorkelling I can take 5-6 people, scuba I can take 3 comfortably.
 
Yeah, I have looked up a bunch of the regs but I'm sure there are more to know! I freedive but I can get down to 50' pretty comfortably so if you want to go somewhere deeperish I can hang! Let me know please! I would love that
 
50' is a lot better than I can do... I'm a bit out of shape. While pulling my dad's zeppelin (like a zodiac), the motor died, and we were about 200 yards before our dive site. I jumped in with mask and fins and pulled the boat there. On our way, I saw an anchor in about 30'. I dove down, and soon as I got there I realized I could get back up, but not with the anchor. It was about a $150 anchor! Too bad.
 
Should dove back down with a length of line to attach to that anchor. Then you could haul it up ;)
 
By the time I got back up, current had drifted us a bit off... was a good idea, thought of it, but couldn't make it happen.
 
johnike said:
And that's why you're the Captain, Bill.
:beer:

Howdy X, about time you got underwater again!!
Click to expand...
Hey buddy! Lost this thread! I did get to go snorkeling in Key Largo... I will post the video in the lounge.

Ludwigia73 said:
By the time I got back up, current had drifted us a bit off... was a good idea, thought of it, but couldn't make it happen.
Click to expand...

billsreef said:
Pesky currents.
Click to expand...


That is a bummer! Would have been a great come-up


Anyone keeping anything in their tanks that they have collected?
 
I get all my hermits and mithrax crabs right at the edge of campus :D Got a nice Coral Banded Shrimp and Cardinal Fish that I also collected from the edge of campus. It's good working at a campus on the bay :D
 
gemini aquarius(t) said:
I want to go collecting badly, so if I see some cool specimens, it will motivate me to get all the forms filled out.
Click to expand...

Don't need to fill out forms really unless you want to collect commercially.. a Recreational license is fine to collect, but can be limited to collecting only a few of each species.
Like Ludwigia said though, know your bag limits and sizes and ALL the regulations. If you aren't sure on something. email FWC and they will answer any of your questions. Print those emails and laminate them and keep them with you when go collecting to have proof that what you are doing is legal. Do the same with all the marine life regulations.

I recommend having even pictures with you of fish that can be easily confused or that you are looking to get. Remember the FWC officers are there to patrol the waters, most of them don't know the difference between all the fishes we have down here. This will save you a lot of trouble if you get someone who doesn't know what they are talking about and gives you a ticket or gets you arrested. Showing them you are educated and don't want to harm the wildlife is definitely a plus.
Don't get me wrong, I'm cool with the FWC but they aren't marine biologist out there...

Hmu whenever, i'm in key largo

I've only collected a sargassum shrimp and a couple snails.. looking to collect more soon though. And check out Divertom.com hes a local guy here in Tavernier that collects and sells. You can get idea on what's collected down here by looking at what he sells. Good prices if anything
 
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Have a number of gorgs Ive collected, usually just collect the ones that are loose. Also hermits/snails/zoa polyps.
 
G_Sanab922 said:
....Don't get me wrong, I'm cool with the FWC but they aren't marine biologist out there...
Click to expand...



True that not all do, but many do have a background/training in biology.
They also consult with people who would be considered 'experts' in cases that require it.
 
Zoodiver said:
True that not all do, but many do have a background/training in biology.
They also consult with people who would be considered 'experts' in cases that require it.
Click to expand...

True I agree. Many have the knowledge. But better safe than sorry. And when you show them you want to follow the laws, it's easier to go about the situation.
And of course if the situation allows it then they will bring in experts like you said, but when on the boat and they have to decide on whether the fish is good to keep or not, that's difficult to do. A decision has to be made and that's when mistakes can happen on both parts. That's why I always keep documentation so when a law is forgotten or confused, they can at least understand or things can be clarified. FWC rather have that then have someone out there catching whatever and not knowing what they are doing.

Just in case Zoodiver, please don't take this the wrong way, not trying to argue or anything. Long explanation is for everyone, so that FWC can see that collectors (and fishermen) want to abide by the law and keep our local reefs healthy and thriving.
Zoodiver, have you collected? With KP Aquatics?
 
I agree fully. Always better safe than sorry.

I've held various permits in TX, MN, LA and FL. Part of the stipulations on one of the permits I used to have was making a call in to their office and notifying them of where we were going to be that day, what we were doing, number of people involved and when we would be wrapped up.

I do know Kara and Philip. We did some filming/collecting work together for Nat Geo last year in the Keys. Very cool crew.
 
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