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Re: NFC: Re: Collecting issues /sales o fish





On Thu, 17 Dec 1998, Warren H.Lund Jr. wrote:
> 
> A person who collects fish to trade, usually has limited space and limited
> needs and would probably not take more fish than he would need from the
> habitat.  I have no problem with this.  A person who collects fish for sale
> will continue to collect the fish, as long as he has buyers.   Who is to say
> "Stop, enough has been taken" ?   As long as someone is willing to buy these
> fish, their collection will be continued.
> 

I think that is why we are, as an organization, calling for specific
collection regulations.  If a liscensed "dealer" is only allowed "X"
number of fishes and goes over that...he loses his liscense etc.  and
their is probably an argument concerning enforcement capability, but that
occurs now in all industries and wildlife programs.  Some poaching would
undoubtedly occur...as it does now...but I would rather have liscensed
regulated dealers out there than just anyone running 'willy nilly' trying
to snatch of the first 'fishy' they see.

> 
> 
>    I didn't miss the point, and I understand what sanctioning is all about.
> I just find it hard to have faith in a conservation organization who
> promotes commercialization of the very resource that it is trying preserve.
> 


Ever heard of Ducks Unlimited?  Quail Unlimited?  The Big Game industry?
They are all trying to preserve the resources they commercialize.  And if
not for them, some of these resources would have been lost. And much
public awareness lost too.

> 
> 
>     I don't see how sanctioning someone to commercially sell fish helps the
> recreational collector.   Basically, what you are doing is providing a code
> of ethics that benefits the person buying the fish.   It assures him that he
> is going to get quality fish and reasonable service and that if there are
> any problems, they will be resolved.
>     I also don't think that it lends much credence or clout with the
> fisheries agencies.  I don't think that they care much about the
> sanctioning.   What they see is a conservation organization that is
> promoting the commercialization of a natural resource so that they can
> profit from it.
>     So many unique programs were developed by the NFC in its first year.
> There's a lot to be proud of.  I'd hate to see you cheapen your efforts by
> commercializing the very resources that you are trying to protect.
> 


But what about the bait fish industry now?!?  Seems to me that in certain
parts of the country that more bait fish are being taken from the wild
than any commercial collector ever would.  Yes, a lot of bait fish are
raised in captivity, but just as many aren't.  It would be a great thing
to get breeders to start raising some of our natives in ponds for the
aquarium trade...but it ain't gonna hapen until a demand begins to come
forward.

And what about the guys who catch dozens upon dozens of wild fishes simply
to feed to their bigger fishes? (I don't have a problem with this mind
you...)  these fish go right down the throat of another and are gone both
from the wild and the potential of a the pet trade.  Hmmmmmm....



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