[joetbs]

Hello All,

I have been in contact with a good friend of mine, Steve Robinson, the pioneer of net-training and collecting of fishes for the aquarium trade. Steve has trained countless individuals and donated lots of time & energy so that we, the end users, get better fish.

He is currently in Papau New Guniea, the beginning of a new collection area to teach the locals how to properly collect fish from the start.

The process has been underway for 6 months now, and will continue for another 3 years. In this time, exporters will be set up and we will start to see fish come from the reefs there. The methodology behind this endeavor is fantastic - they have taken examples from all previous operations in many a country, and are implementing a sound, sustainable solution. Previous employees of MAC and other reef-minded individuals will ensure this remains a proper, sustainable collection country.

Papau New Guniea is home to some of the most pristine reefs. Bordering the Coral Sea, there is the greatest variety of fish in this one area. Over 95% of the country is covered in pristine reefs, and will be fished without damage.



What the locals of PNG need (there will be no foreign divers brought in like in other countries, only locals to ensure the people in PNG are receiving the fruits) is netting.

I am interested in putting $280 of my money in to cover the costs of the netting for hand-nets (#2 & 3), and they are looking for donations to cover the rest of the netting as follows:

1. 3/8's inch barrier netting $400. a bundle X 3 = $1,200.00ea bundle serves 30 divers or 90 total. Will need 3 x next years but that shouldn't be purchased until after proving it all this year.

2. and 1/6th inch plastic handnetting 100 foot roll = $ 140.00 ea.

3. 1/4 inch plastic handnetting 100 foot roll = $ 140.00 ea
[This stuff #2. & 3. is only for handnets and it uses very little material and is dirt cheap per diver]


If anyone can be so inclined to help with donations it would be much appreciated. Please post here, and I will have Steve sign up for an account and he will help answer any questions you might have about the future that PNG holds for all of us. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.


thank you,
joe

[prattreef]

I'm in for $100. MR, Steve Robinson is the real deal, the locals will be trained and trained well.

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

[bad coffee]

$100 from me. Let me know where/when.

B

[loismustdie]

$100.

[House of Laughter]

Seems like $100 is a kewl number

Count me for $100 as well.

House

[ellebelle]

Are they also going to be doing coral collection as well? And if so, are they also educating the locals about safe, non-destructive way to do this?

[prattreef]

I believe the answer is yes, but I'll let Joe comment.

Really though, this is about the potential for a clean supply of a wide variety of fish done right from the beginning. This kind of effort has been attempted several times after the fact in the PI and Indo with (charitably speaking )mixed results for a large number of reasons. The best way to get these areas to clean up their act is to provide superior product at competitive prices and cut into profits. PNG has the potential to offer the variety that isn't possible elsewhere to compete in just this way.

[ellebelle]

Oh, I agree with you Randy. I think this sounds like an excellent project. My only point was that if they only educate the locals about the fish, then you can still get plenty of reef destruction with improper coral collection. I would also be interested to hear a few more details about the mechanics of the project, just for my own interest.

[prattreef]

Quote: Originally Posted by ellebelle I would also be interested to hear a few more details about the mechanics of the project, just for my own interest.

I'm sure that can and will be arranged.

[joetbs]

Quote: Originally Posted by ellebelle Are they also going to be doing coral collection as well? And if so, are they also educating the locals about safe, non-destructive way to do this?

Lissa,

this will be done. I am personally going to fly out there when it is time and help out both in regards to collection, and most importantly mariculturing a wide variety of corals and perhaps even some anemones.

There is already a ban on the table for Carpet anemones, to ensure that a local population of clownfish (namely Leucokranos and Percula) always have a safehaven in the waters. I'm sure most people aren't aware that in places like PH and ID, divers have to travel miles away to reefs where the anemones haven't been ripped out just to catch clownfish. I'm sure a huge percentage of Carpet Anemones never make it once stateside - probably 75% never living past shipping, and probably a good 95-99% not making it more than a year in captivity.

Steve will have to answer about more details as they are available and I'll ask that he continue to update us whenever possible. He will have details about where to send money to as well when the time comes.

Thank you everyone for your generosity.