Please keep this up...

[OwainUK]

Dear all

I'm a reef aquarist from the UK often mentally torn between all the familiar conflicts we face in this hobby (and industry) - my enjoyment, conservation, sustainability, needs of indigenous populations etc.

For the past couple of years I've dropped in here every couple of months to check up on what's been posted recently.

After another two hour burst, I was moved to sign in and write a note of encouragement to *everyone* who posts here regularly, and a word of thanks.

This is the only place on the Net where these issues are discussed. Type 'conversation' into the typical reef aquarium bulletin board and you get something about cover glasses minimising evaporation.

I never cease to be amazed by the frankness of the discussion here. Posters really go at each others arguments, and yet return to post again.

I have to be honest and say I'm not able to judge what affect you're all having. But what I do know is that not speaking about problems is the worst situation of all.

Here's hoping you all keep it up, whatever side of the various debates you're on.

All the best

Owain

 

[Anonymous]

 

[JennM]

Welcome, Owain!

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

Cheers,
Jenn

 

[mkirda]

Welcome, Owain!

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

Cheers,
Jenn

Ditto, Owain. After all the relative lack of participation over the past week, I was beginning to think I was the only one left on here beside Mr. Cyanide.
:wink:

I'm glad others are out there listening regardless.

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[blue hula3]

After all the relative lack of participation over the past week ...

But Mike, you were doing such a fab job that I was hesistant to disrupt the flow :wink:

And frankly, I will admit to having been somewhat bewildered by the argument (claims?) at times. Almost too hard to bother teasing apart the misquoted numbers, chop and change logic etc.

'Sides, participation has simply won me the tag of "silly"

Which makes Owain's appreciation ... well appreciated.

Thanks Owain!

Jessica

 

[flameangel1]

Hi Mike,,
You are not alone on this board , by any means.
I stop in and read this forum everysingle day and am sure I am not the only one who does so either.
Argueing with Kalk is a lost cause though and I do give you a lot of credit for even trying !!
Happy Thanksgiving to all who read this forum, also !!!!

 

[Piero]

ditto!
_________________
recessions

 

[clarionreef]

Hey Owain,
Thanks for the encouragement and its good to know that non economically determined philosphy still counts for something among some people.
I just got back from a couple of weeks in Bali, Indonesia last nite and would like to say that we have another 50-60 netcaught ONLY divers on our side there. [hundreds more actively use cyanide which sells locally for $5.00 a kilo.]
This is an important fact for sincere people to regard because they give reason and substance to the revolt against letting the dark side of our trade continue to threaten the trade.
There is a lotta good news to report but for now I'd like to thank Owain for his welcome remarks and for Mike Kirda for his perseverance and patience in his defense of the proposition that we actually need to retrain and retool the trade and not belittle the need for reforming it.
Now that the Philippines and Indonesia are technically Democratic and in possession of rights to speak, organize and act free of the power of 'cartels" that have traditionally ruled 'and ruined' their fisheries, we will see them showing up more and more in these online discussions.
As the balance of power is shifting now to local control, [ villages and municipal districts] I wish to remind our friends at MAC that to be identified too closely to the old power base and the old school of doing things is a tactical error that they will regret. Ernestly and prematurely trying to convince all of the virtues of the dominant businessmen in the cyanide trade puts them into direct opposition to the new wave of thinking that finds this 'aiding and abetting' the big money interests in direct opposition to the interest of fishermans villages...where ALL the fish come from.
Believe it or not...fish do not really come from LA, NY, Chicago, Manila or Denpasar...they come from these villages. Hundreds of these villages thruout Indonesia and the Philippines. Villages whos interests are scarcely represented among businessmen and their P.R. groups.
In fact, from what I have seen, the only real heart shown for fisherman and their well being, not to mention the ecosystems that sustain them is found right here on this Reefs.org media.
Defense of village interests is where the industries chances for survival lie wether they know it or not. Recognizing this fact is vital to reforming the trade...honestly...underwater...in turn allowing a reforming of its image.
More later, in fact a full update and report on the Bali mission soon.
Sincerely, Steve

PS. Blue Hula...someone was dumb enough to label you...silly?
How silly!

 

[OwainUK]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I even wrote 'conversation' when I meant 'conservation' in my first entry, which is I think the sort of slip that could only happen here.

Talking of course can only be a small part of change, but personally I don't think things ever change without it. Look how free speech has been supressed at various times throughout history...

Net caught has to be the way forward. Careful exploitation has to be the way forward. If the growing middle-class slice of the two billion odd ever richer Chinese and Indian folk don't want to eat fish, they'll want to keep them in tanks too. It's a tough challenge, but any country that can keep it's reefs in good healthy condition will be sitting on an irreplaceable goldmine in the future, and have a unique competitive advantage. In short, they'll be rich!

Somehow governments have to see beyond 2 or 10 years to 50 or 100. Well-managed reefs could be like oil wells that never run out.

Anyway, back to lurking, and continued well-wishing from the sidelines.

best
Owain

 

[Fredfish]

I heartily agree with Owain. This is a must read forum for me.

In fact, with the increased participation of those actively involved in conservation and reform, I have found the amount of quality content on this forum has increased greatly since its inception.

Fred.