I'm an old, "salt". Started back in the early 80's but didn't truly become semi-successful until the early 90's. back then EVERYTHING was wild-caught. Frags were science fiction to us rank and file types. **** Perrin of Tropicorium was the reigning king of the DIY crowd. I lived in Toledo, OH at that time and made many trips to Romulus, MI. The biggest hot topic back then was the "Netsman Project" to get the Filipinios to cease using cyanide to collect fish. Not much was discussed about coral. UNTIL Florida banned LR collection. OMG! The hobby was doomed.
Well, nowadays with Hawaii being virtually off limits and legislation being presented almost every session, our beloved hobby is under siege. "Finding Nemo" was only the tip of the iceburg. The hobby exploded almost overnight and this caused alarm and concern as entrepreneurs sought to cash-in on the new surge in the industry. Well, we are now faced with the inevitable consequence of this as environmental groups and those that feel that ANY collection OR possession of marine aquatic animals is, "immoral". Education and FRAGGING/CAPTIVE BREEDING is the salvation the industry and the hobby must have to survive. What once cost $60. and secured a complete colony of Elegance, wild-caught, now results in a frag the size of a postage stamp.
This is the new reality of our hobby.