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Re: interim Fp. coordinator

Andrew Broome wrote:
> 
> David said...
> 
> > I have been happily dstributing the walkeri GH2 and can
> > back off some on the number of tanks devoted to them.
> > Unless of course they want 3 pairs to go out with each BNL.
> > I either have to back off some or learn to eat sushi.
> 
> This was the eventual downfall of this species in New Zealand
> a few (7 or 8) years back.  It was rare, then some breeders got
> ahold of it - treated it well and BANG!  Suddenly there are 300 of
> the darn things to every killie hobbyist in the country.  A year later
> there were none.  At all.  Never seen it again.  As is 'gone forever'.
> 
> Don't let that happen in the US.  Easy fish can be a pain to keep
> breeding year in year out...

Andrew,

You just defined the reason KCC came into being. A few of us consider that
we have been so blessed by those who went before that the very least we can
do is devote a few tanks to a species that otherwise might have become
overpopular and then vanished via indifference. The economic and social
dynamics of it are actually kinda fun.

You have tough import laws to deal with. The main KCC core species were
selected on the basis of original habitat being gone. US and Europe have
slightly more enlightened views of the small danger posed by trading fish
and eggs. [Yes, I know NZ must protect those "native" trout fisheries, at
all costs. ;-)]

We are not trying to breed fish that will ever be reintroduced somewhere
else. That is the "exotic species" thing that those of us doing habitat work
despise. We are just trying to make sure your grandkids, should they be
stupid enough to keep killies, can have the nicer ones we and those who went
before also enjoyed.

It is little work and costs next to nothing. It just needs cooperation and
communication to function. That latter thing has not been well done, in the
past. I have pushed these topics onto this list so more folks will know what
it is about, and what it means when they buy a core species at an auction.
They aren't obligated to maintain it, but it is nice if the species chair
knows they are keeping it for now. He/she will have a couple of other core
breeders who will make sure it doesn't go away.

Hopefully, the process Tom Grady has worked so hard on will give us better
warning if a popular species is declining, suddenly. IMHO, that is the most
significant function that the Species Maintenance Committee can perform for
us in the "hands-on" conservation part of the hobby. Once identified, that
species can use the already-organized system of the KCC to be sure we do not
lose it.

That's the way it looks from here, anyway.

Wright

PS. Tom, my inventory changed dramatically with WCW and 700+ bags in the
sales/auction. I'll have to redo the list I just sent you, to show just how
mean you are to want us to do this after show season starts. ;-)

-- 
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntley1 at home_com

       The internet has had no impact on my life @ all.
            'hAS ANYONE SEEN MY cAPSLOCK KEY?'
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