U.S. considers endangered species protection for 80+ stony corals

[Flavum]

http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/us-considers-endangered-species-protection-82-stony-coral-species

http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/frag-no-more-endangered-species-proposal-threatens-marine-aquaculture


"A move to place more than 80 species of stony corals on the Endangered Species list appears to be gaining traction with the U.S. federal government. A petition from an Arizona-based environmental group calls for protection of 8 Caribbean and Western Atlantic species, 9 corals in the Hawaiian Islands, and 66 species from the Indo-Pacific."

 

[bluestarfish]

the time of black market corals draws near.

 

[TriMax]

I had better keep my comments about this to myself. I cannot count how many forbidden subject areas, in which I would be politically incorrect, that I would have to enter.

 

[macclellan]

The deadline for response is April 12, so we'll know fairly soon. Scientists are giving input. I'm fine with it for species that actually are endangered, and I doubt all 83 will be found to be endangered. One aspect of the ESA does suck for biology-oriented hobbyists (not just reefers): you can't ship captive-bred specimens across state lines. I understand it's there to prevent abuse, but it sucks from an individual's self-interested perspective.

It's funny how that article tries to belittle the environmental group that made the solicitation by pointing to some of their other projects, none of which is remotely relevant to whether any or all of the 83 species are endangered or not.

Oh, incidentally, the Center for Biological Diversity got the ball rolling on lots of backlogged applications, including a submission for Tennessee's own Berry Cave Salamander by Dr. John Nolt at UT (my mentor) from January 2003 - it only took Fish and Wildlife 7 years to look at it, and only under the threat of lawsuit.

 

[Runner]

And of course, we know, science never acts as window dressing for politics and we can be completely comfortable that the government will choose wisely for us -- like always.

 

[planejane]

And of course, we know, science never acts as window dressing for politics and we can be completely comfortable that the government will choose wisely for us -- like always.

:thumbsup:

 

[macclellan]

With the "never" and "always" inserted, no one can argue against that!

It will be neat to see how these cases pan out.

 

[Engloid]

I would think that with many of the corals, the best way to ensure that they don't go extinct is to allow individuals to own and propogate them. There's no shortage of hamsters and guinea pigs are there? Don't think there will be in our great grand kids' lifetimes either.