Posted by naesco:
Industry is not prepared to accept the USL toat least keep the carnage down.
I know that you are fully aware that the industry said that it was willing to accept two of the three criteria on the USL and that a committee will be formed later this year to determine the exact species. Why you would make such an absolutely ridiculous, untrue statement is beyond me.
Yes. But to be truthfull, the two criteria for a ban that were accepted were deadly species (like the blue rigged octopus) and too big species. The list that we debated which almost all of us agreed should be part of the USL was turned down at the MAC industry meeting.
Industry is now fighting with themselves over DOA levels and MAC, the only organization that can keep them afloat is about to self-destruct from infighting on this issue.
Really? Industry is fighting with itself?? Not at all. The industry has told MAC that 1% is unrealistic and is now working with them to help create a more realistic standard. And MAC is about to self-destruct?? Who did you hear that from? I definitely don't agree with a lot of things they're doing, but they seem to have funding in place and are moving forward by working with the industry in a much more constructive manner than they were previously. A compromise was made at the last meeting- again, I know you are fully aware of the fact that a committee was formed to address the DOA issue and they are working on it now.
Yes than that is good news. I did not get that impression from reading this thread though.
I think the time has come for the reefing community to form a committee to approach the government which will address the problems with legislation.
You act as though the government is completely unaware of the industry and that the reefs are going to cease to exist if someone doesn't decide exactly what to do right this second. The government is watching MAC very closely. They want to see if the industry can get it right. They also realize that it is impossible to turn this industry around in a short period of time. MAC has only been around for a few years to deal with problems that have been around for decades. They can hopefully help to deal with problems on the "home front". But the majority of the problems are created in other countries that already have laws in place, but the enforcement is lacking. The United States cannot just run over to the Philippines and Indonesia and shut down their trade. I really wish everyone could see the bigger picture here. For the zillionth time this is a very complicated, multi-leveled, international industry and there are inroads to change being made. It's not going to happen overnight though. I can't understand why you can't just wait and see what MAC comes up with. Again, I don't support everything they do, but I'm also willing to give them a chance to come up with something viable. Believe me, they are not moving any slower than the federal government would on this issue. I understand your passion on this subject naesco, and believe me I am just as, if not more, passionate about industry reform than you are. However, you don't understand all of the workings of the industry (the big picture), and that's not your fault. People who aren't involved in the industry can't fully understand everything that goes on. Heck, I've been in the industry for almost 14 years and I still learn stuff all of the time. Be patient. Be a positive force for change and work with the existing infrastructure to create it.
Well if the government is watching than it is good. Yes I am passionate about industry reform. I am really concerned that industry is not. You are.
As difficult a pill this is to swallow, if nothing is done our hobby, as we know it, will disappear.
The only thing that will make our hobby disappear is people going off half-cocked without knowledge or experience and trying to create an ideal, but unrealistic, industry. These people could be animal rights people, the government, or any person/organization that tries to "help" the industry without gaining a full understanding of it. Earlier in this post you asked how you as a concerned hobbyist can help. I told you to contact MAC and IMA and see how you can be of service. Did you contact the organizations? What did they say?
