Reefkeepers: Immediate call to action!!

[Floyd R Turbo]

THIS IS IMPORTANT. WE ALL NEED TO COMMENT ON THIS RIGHT NOW!!!

MASNA Blog - MASNA Response to ESA Listing for 82 Coral Species coming today

MASNA Blog - MASNA submits its response to the proposed ESA listings of multiple corals

http://www.masna.org/Portals/0/Blog/Files/7/75/response letter ESA listing v3.pdf

This bill/legislation or whatever it is basically would outlaw the keeping, selling, or trading of any stony coral.

You need to submit your comment on this form, ASAP - April 5th is the deadline (11:59PM)

Regulations.gov

This thing would classify most stony corals (pretty much all, because what DNR guy is going to know what acropora is what, really?) as endangered species. This is all based on very poor studies, specifically chosen because they are poor so that their conclusions can be drawn.

POST COMMENTS IMMEDIATELY. THIS EFFORT IS NOT BASED ON SUFFICIENT DATA. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY DECIMATE THIS HOBBY. WE COULD PRETTY MUCH ALL BE DEEMED CRIMINALS FOR OWNING SPS CORALS

I submitted this:

This proposed action is not based on sufficient data. There is no real effective way for someone without a degree in marine biology and decades of experience to tell one coral species from another. this action could potentially shut down an entire industry, full of hobbyists with love for the ocean and reefs. This action could potentially criminalize hundreds of thousands of hobbyists.

I am a member of a statewide reef keeping hobbyist club. We all endeavor to propagate and maintain as many coral species as possible. It is entirely possible that, if some species becomes extinct in the wild due to climate change factors or for any other reason, the only surviving species would be captive held and propagated coral colonies. It is entirely possible that this action could prevent the preservation of literally thousands of coral species. Most dedicated reef hobbyists pride themselves on maintaining pristine water conditions to maximize coral growth, then when their tanks get overgrown, they share these with others. Why on earth would one want to decimate the very industry that may very well someday be the last bastion of safety for the living reefs of the world?

This proposed action is full of disregard for the facts, and should not even be considered.

I fully support the view of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) with respect to their letter dated April 4, 2013 with regard to this matter.

Other threads

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...4&highlight=endangered+and+threatened+species

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...7&highlight=endangered+and+threatened+species

Reef Hobby needs YOU!!!

NOAA Proposal info and clarification!!!

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

We all have until 11:59pm Eastern Time today to make comments. Please take 5 minutes to comment, and please pass this on, post on your local forums or any other forums you frequent.

It helps to search for "endangered and threatened species" before starting a new thread, as there might already be one started.

This is a really draconian policy that could be used to shut down businesses and events, no matter if that kind of power is actually allowable or not - it would be to late once it's done, and the recourse is pretty much non-existent. Criminalizing hobbyists and outlawing trade and sale of aquacultured and maricultured corals is detrimental to everyone.

After the ban on catching Yellow Tangs in Hawaii was passed, someone got busted with dozens of them. Instead of releasing them into the ocean, they laid them out on land and they all died. There are (true) stories like this about other similar confiscations, all over the place. This is NOT the way to solve any problem. This policy MUST NOT be passed.

 

[marsh]

Thanks man, good looking out.


California has a history of outlawing animals that are safely kept in other states. It's not a joke and this is going to be major. I believe in ecological action but the law is punishing people who are passionate about ocean life rather than provide any type of protection plan, merely attacking the pet trade and promoting rampant health issues for illegal pets who are at a higher risk of neglect and abuse