A Call to Arms

[Reef_Paddy]

Please read the following Article if you care about having Corals in your aquariums -
http://reefbuilders.com/2015/01/23/saltwater-aquatics-industry-major-jeopardy/
(I copied and pasted Patricks Comments in my submission if you don't know what to write)

The Link to submit your comment to the regulators is at:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=NOAA_FRDOC_0001-3274

 

[prattreef]

The threat is potentially real, but the linked ReefBuilders piece is alarmist and misleading in regards to the intentions of the process and those charged with making the rules. It is certainly a good thing for hobbyists to leave comments, but what the comments say is what really matters here. Expressing your outrage about curtailing your ability to keep these species as a hobby is not going to help anything. They are looking for evidence, stats, arguments etc. to contradict what they have determined is the credible scientific evidence leading to the species in question getting to this point. Chances are we as a hobby/ industry don't have this evidence, but what we do have is a very legitimate case to be made for "exceptions" to be made in the listing-- specifically, allowing aquacultured and maricultured trade in these species to continue if wild collection is banned. Without a carefully crafted " exception" clause the laws are not flexible enough to accommodate these distinctions. This is where I suggest we apply our collective pressure and wisdom to partner with the powers that be to craft a sensible " exception" clause instead of expressing anger and outrage. I'd recommend reading this:
https://rettalbot.wordpress.com/.../nmfs-solicits-public.../
and search around Ret's site for other very detailed info about the process and the history that got us to this point.

 

[Geraud]

Randy, is there a video recording of Ret's talk at the latest frag swap? His talk was really informative and very well-balanced... more people would benefit from watching it...

I am afraid that what some people are trying to do in the industry right now are to scare us into getting into their lobby... and I, for once, do not care much for lobbying... I would much rather base my opinions on facts rather than hearsay, especially when it comes from economic actors.