Re: [Killietalk] re: killies on the bubble-ISH

[Wright Huntley <jwwiii at pacbell_net>]

Morris, George wrote:

> I'd be interested in offering sanctuary to a native species that has a very
> restricted range and might be in danger from habitat destruction.

You have described exactly the situation that we are forbidden by law 
from entering, George. [I, too, would love to do it.]

We have brought it on, pretty much by ourselves, by doing ill-informed 
things in the past that have led to such rigid laws. [I'm speaking of 
hobbyists in general, not most well-informed killifolk! :-)]

I spent yesterday morning in an almost futile attempt to help a Fish & 
Game biologist rescue a most rare sub-species of Tui Chub from a remote 
spring that had been holding them nicely in years past.

An unwise addition of a rare pupfish to the spring had rapidly wiped the 
Tui Chub out. IDK who moved the *radiosus* there, but it has come within 
an inch of creating a new extinction. :-( OTOH, this was the most 
successful population of Owens Pupfish I had seen in the past couple of 
years. :-) [Bad news, good news situation.]

Our only solution to the present dilemna is to form partnerships with 
the local and federal fish and game authorities and volunteer to help 
them do their job. That frequently means we do things that seem most 
unwise or unpleasant, but I'm learning, after ten years of doing it, 
that some of the worst parts of their jobs are undoing what thoughtless 
hobbyists, fishermen and fish farmers have done to fragile habitats.

Eventually, I hope we can recover their confidence and have a chance to 
positively impact legislation that currently messes up our hobby. Being 
informed and sensitive to the issues can only help. That's one of the 
main reasons AKA has launched a conservation series in JAKA, and that 
I'm willing to "try to herd cats" to help edit it.

Eventually, we may get to expand programs like the KCC to cover native 
species. To do that legally will require overcoming a lot of justified 
resistance from Washington and various state capitols.

Wright

--
Wright Huntley -- 760 872-3995 -- Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514

           Mencken's maxim—every election is a sort
             of advanced auction of stolen goods.



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