New NOAA Rule - URGENT!

[Gryphon]

- TEXT FROM AQUA ILLUMINATION http://www.aquaillumination.com/ -
- Copied from Reef Central http://www.Reefcentral.com

Our hobby is in jeopardy.

NOAA proposal threatens to earmark 83 species of coral as endangered.

What does that mean for us? The end of our hobby as we know it.

Imagine if we could no longer buy, sell, trade, or even remove and replace any number of very common aquarium species we have in our systems. Nearly all common stony corals including many of our favorite Acropora, Montipora, Porites, Pocillopora, Seriatopora, Pectinia, Pavona and Millepora species. In addition many of our favorite large polyp stony species such as Hammer coral, Frogspawn and Candy Cane corals will be illegal to even grow and share with your friends.

This would make no distinction between wild collected, maricultured, farmed, or aquacultured. The result is it could be a felony to give a branch of Hammer Coral to a friend, punishable by up to a $50,000 fine and 1 year in jail for doing so.

Help us fight! We only have until APRIL 6th to file opposition! That is only a few days away, please take the time to send feedback today!

To register your opposition to this regulation:

Electronic Submissions: Click below and complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.

http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=NOAA-NMFS-2010-0036-0469

Postal Mail Submissions:
Regulatory Branch Chief
Protected Resources Division National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Regional Office 1601 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 1110 Honolulu, HI 96814
Attn: 82 Coral Species proposed listing
or
Assistant Regional Administrator Protected Resources Division National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
Attn: 82 Coral Species proposed listing

Fax submissions:
808-973-2941: Attn: Protected Resources Regulatory Branch Chief
or
727-824-5309: Attn: Protected Resources Assistant Regional Administrator

Copies of relevant documents:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/...tes/corals.htm

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/11/82corals.html

US NOAA Coral Species Listing II_ALT

 

[bassetman]

Ok

 

[nick_76]

hmmm...i would have no problem with this if it only applied to wild caught, because non-WC specimins have no negative impact on the ecology. That being said, other than targeting harvesters&importers, how would NOAA enforce this?

A loophole for non-WC specimins could prove to be a boon for the species in question

 

[Gryphon]

Problem is it also affects Aquaculture farms, and private hobbyists, not just the importers and harvesters. This could potentially mean serious fines for selling and trading corals kept in your personal tank.

 

[Madness]

That being said, other than targeting harvesters&importers, how would NOAA enforce this?

A loophole for non-WC specimins could prove to be a boon for the species in question

Just ask the owner of QT aquarium, and the 50+ individuals that were associated with him, either in his contact list, or named, or a purchase list as a past customer. I know several people including a couple store owners that we all have visit, that were being investigated for months because of the QT incident. So if you think that you cant or wont get caught, think again. They are scouring all media for illegal fresh water fish selling and buying, why not salt water as well?

There is a link on MFK somewhere, where they listed each states illegal species. I want to say in Georgia, most of what we love to raise, Jags, Dovii, Midas, RD, Swords, Tetras, Cat fish, are all on their banned list. This is only the beginning.

 

[nick_76]

what i was getting at is, would NOAA start trolling craigslist for private sales?
my position wasnt so much about witch hunts, but simply the conditions in the wild trump our hobby, however the law should be written such that our hobby could complement the species in the wild rather than deplete them.

aquarists as a group represent a huge body of knowlege and experiance that could be leveraged to assist species in decline if the law was written in a more accomodating way.

if you do not allow captive cultivation, that body of knowlege is perhaps irrevocably erased...however, if WC caught specimins are banned, but captive cultivation is allowed to continue then the endangered species could not only continue to remain in our aquariums, but the industry could also assist in their recovery. these species are being considered for endangered status for a reason

If accomodation was made for captive cultivation of existing specimins, and simply banned further WC specimins, id support the law

 

[lilfishie]

I completely agree with nick_76!

 

[Anthraxx]

another wonderful little argument comes in from national geographic this month. the topic of de-extinction is actively being addressed, you guys should check it out. interesting read.

 

[Gryphon]

Sadly right now the way it is written it will affect private hobbyists, stores, and those who aquaculture. Click on the link and leave feed back for them! Let your voice be heard.

 

[Squirmteben]

Good post. The comments list on regulations.gov is filled with well-written comments from hobbyists. Maybe they'll notice our concerns.

 

[Madness]

what i was getting at is, would NOAA start trolling craigslist for private sales?
my position wasnt so much about witch hunts, but simply the conditions in the wild trump our hobby, however the law should be written such that our hobby could complement the species in the wild rather than deplete them.

aquarists as a group represent a huge body of knowlege and experiance that could be leveraged to assist species in decline if the law was written in a more accomodating way.

if you do not allow captive cultivation, that body of knowlege is perhaps irrevocably erased...however, if WC caught specimins are banned, but captive cultivation is allowed to continue then the endangered species could not only continue to remain in our aquariums, but the industry could also assist in their recovery. these species are being considered for endangered status for a reason

If accomodation was made for captive cultivation of existing specimins, and simply banned further WC specimins, id support the law

I completely agree Nick. Excellent thread.