I got into an interesting discussion with one of the regular denizens of #reefs today, and it made me stop and think about where we as a hobby are going and what we're trying to achieve. Sooner or later, the issue of importation for our hobby is going to come to a head. If we're not prepared, we may be in for a big surprise. The following are a few things I put on the table for discussion-
Who and what to believe?
The information the hobbyist at large receives is quite often fragmented. Information also tends to be slighted favoring the agenda of the party presenting the info. Dribs and drabs of information are picked up here and there, but rarely presented whole. No system for verifying rumors exists. No central clearinghouse for confirmed, complete info exists. Since there is no complete picture, the hobbyist errs on the side of caution, and takes no action. Action is called for often on legislative issues, but is rarely taken at the hobbyist level, mainly for two reasons- lack of interest and "boy who cried wolf syndrome", since action has been called for many times in the past, but nothing has really changed at the hobbyist level.
Who can affect change?
Hobbyist and industry groups have no authority. Membership in MASNA, MAC, and/or AMDA is voluntary, and their names are rarely heard among the average hobbyist. Although these organizations are trying to affect change each in their own way, there is no commonly perceived short-term benefit to the hobbyist, retailer, or middleman. Until a short-term benefit can be realized, the long-term benefits must be promoted. Even more important, these organizations have to get the word out to the general hobbyist public about their existance and what they are trying to achieve. If Joe Hobbyist has never heard of MAC for example, what incentive does he have to support their programs, or even make his voice heard in the first place?
When will things change?
This is anyone's guess. The real key is stated above- demonstrate the need for change at a grassroots level. Take the initiative before government steps in. Many people have compared the marine aquarium industry to SCUBA diving. While I don't ever see the day that one will have to flash a membership card to be able to purchase livestock, I do see a great potential for a self-regulating industry. SCUBA divers as a whole have become self-policing, and the marine aquarium industry can do the same if the long-term benefits are presented to the hobby at large.
Who and what to believe?
The information the hobbyist at large receives is quite often fragmented. Information also tends to be slighted favoring the agenda of the party presenting the info. Dribs and drabs of information are picked up here and there, but rarely presented whole. No system for verifying rumors exists. No central clearinghouse for confirmed, complete info exists. Since there is no complete picture, the hobbyist errs on the side of caution, and takes no action. Action is called for often on legislative issues, but is rarely taken at the hobbyist level, mainly for two reasons- lack of interest and "boy who cried wolf syndrome", since action has been called for many times in the past, but nothing has really changed at the hobbyist level.
Who can affect change?
Hobbyist and industry groups have no authority. Membership in MASNA, MAC, and/or AMDA is voluntary, and their names are rarely heard among the average hobbyist. Although these organizations are trying to affect change each in their own way, there is no commonly perceived short-term benefit to the hobbyist, retailer, or middleman. Until a short-term benefit can be realized, the long-term benefits must be promoted. Even more important, these organizations have to get the word out to the general hobbyist public about their existance and what they are trying to achieve. If Joe Hobbyist has never heard of MAC for example, what incentive does he have to support their programs, or even make his voice heard in the first place?
When will things change?
This is anyone's guess. The real key is stated above- demonstrate the need for change at a grassroots level. Take the initiative before government steps in. Many people have compared the marine aquarium industry to SCUBA diving. While I don't ever see the day that one will have to flash a membership card to be able to purchase livestock, I do see a great potential for a self-regulating industry. SCUBA divers as a whole have become self-policing, and the marine aquarium industry can do the same if the long-term benefits are presented to the hobby at large.
), less people would trash livestock so nonchalantly (the added investment might deter impulse hobbyists, maybe?...)the collectors, importers and wholesalers in all the 'exotic' animal areas really do need much tougher controls to protect the species, those that should be a sustainable resource for our enjoyment, and those who should be left in the wild.(look at the bird smuggling tragedies, for example). the point is, that if the end users don't take initiative in trying to regulate the industry that exists BECAUSE we, essentially, fund it, then the gov't. will- and maybe in a way that hurts us more than we like, or is necessary..... 
