Conservation

["Roger Hawthorne" <albanyaquarium at msn_com>]

When I first started the hobby, I expected an outlet to have 40
types of fish and 100 varieties of plants. Plants were easy to ship.
Killies (eggs) were too. It is so nice to see this part of the hobby
still flourishing.

Some aquarists desire even the endangered species. Many hope
to preserve a fish away from its' natural habitat. Others wish to
not disturb threatened fish.

A doctor from our church has spent many years in the Cameroon.
He has helped the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti by finding was
they can help the enviroment and themselves at the same time.  
If people can be found at churches and clinics near endangered fish,
they could be trained to collect a limited number (fish and eggs too)
to the states. A dollar per fish could be added. That is little compared  
to the total costs. Half could go to ask people there to protect the area.
The other half to possibly purchase the land when possible. A couple
hundred dollars goes a long way there. Natives could be trained to
collect and asist eggs and fry. A percentage could be returned. A small
refugium could be set up and maintined at the clinic or mission.  

Even if a fish was not too endangered, hobbyists would be eager to  
participate in such a program. Locals would learn the differences in the
little fish that look all the same to them. Links via e-mail are already
existing in many locales. It would be a win win situation for all. The fish
would be protected, the clinic helped, and hobbyists satisfied all at the  
same time. In time, local government could assist.

Roger  Fishyman1957                                              
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