collecting corals, and other reef specimens

[ari5736]

I'm very ignorant on the issues and was hoping somebody could enlighten me on the legal and practical consequences of trying to take a coral frag, or other reef creature, even rock, from a carribean reef?

My gut tells me that it is illegal, difficult to transport and that I would also run the risk of introducing foreign pathogen.

 

[IconicAquariums]

Definitely no on any hard coral, rock, fire coral, or certain Gorgonians.

With a recreational permit, you can take crabs, snails, etc., but they are a pain to get back. Best off just going snorkeling and enjoying the sights.

 

[aaron]

the biggest limitation is the new ban on liquids in the cabin of the plane. I used to hand carry specimens home on the plane but now they must be in your checked baggage, which needs some sort of heavy insulation as it gets really cold.

 

[ari5736]

interesting, who is the enforcing regulatory authority?

 

[IconicAquariums]

Florida Fish & Wildlife, plus Coast Guard.

There are some more guidelines here: http://www.scubadivecharters.com/FL.htm

 

[rookie07]

I think you could dive for a piece, then FEDEX it to yourself , or have someone else fedex it for you.
Wouldnt that work???
Of course, that would destroy the reef eventually if every one did that.
I want to see the reef, please dont destroy it.

 

[ari5736]

don't worry Rookie I'm not planning on taking anything, other than what I already bought from the fish store already:bagfish:.

 

[ari5736]

started reading the guidelines and noticed that some of it pertains to "commercial uses", which I don't think private collecting would be categorized under. If one collects specimens from a foreign carribean country, I suppose there is not much regulation except at U.S. customs.

 

[IconicAquariums]

That's a good alternative - since they can pack things up good, and are considerably cheaper than stores up here

 

[ming]

I think you could dive for a piece, then FEDEX it to yourself , or have someone else fedex it for you.
Wouldnt that work???
Of course, that would destroy the reef eventually if every one did that.
I want to see the reef, please dont destroy it.

You could also steal your neighbor's dog and fedex it across the country which would also work, but both is probably illegal :smash:

 

[noodleman]

so the only way to bring live fish/corals on a plane these days is to check it in? for future reference if i go to california

 

[ITALIANSAUSAGE]

in fl each illegal piece of coral is a 5k fine. i guy just got busted with 100 pieces.500k, dont take the chance

 

[ari5736]

holy crap! are you serious 67. What are you going to do about it?

 

[aaron]

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is the governing body for transportation of of wildlife across international borders - such as from a carribean country back to the US. They have recently placed a lot more limitations of coral species (both alive and dead) that can be imported.
If the species is not listed as endangered you generally need permission from the country you are in to collect and export the specimen and permission from the US government to import it.

 

[h20 freak]

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is the governing body for transportation of of wildlife across international borders - such as from a carribean country back to the US. They have recently placed a lot more limitations of coral species (both alive and dead) that can be imported.
If the species is not listed as endangered you generally need permission from the country you are in to collect and export the specimen and permission from the US government to import it.

Basicly better to buy it -_-