Knock Knock USF&WL

[Kalkbreath]

US Fish and Wildlife makes several house calls this week in the golden state.
Judging by the lawyers they brought along with them, this was an intense round of inspections.
Several arrests were made and the "Ira" onic part is that this leopard may have actually changed his but not his poaching!
Although this is another black eye for the hobby ...... it also might mean a clean slate for us as well.
With many long time black market types taken into custody the current supply is as claen as its been in years!

 

[bookfish]

If you read the article thoroughly, you'll see that the incidents occurred in 2004 and only the indictments and arrests occurred this week. Still a good thing though, despite taking 2 years! Also, I doubt anyone was in custody longer than it takes to post bail. I'm sure these folks will be doing business as usual the next day.-Jim

 

[Kalkbreath]

Im not sure what artical you speak of?
The USF&W were looking for more then to serve warrants this week in LAX and SanFran.
What were they expecting to find?

 

[bookfish]

Im not sure what artical you speak of?
The USF&W were looking for more then to serve warrants this week in LAX and SanFran.
What were they expecting to find?

http://www.foxreno.com/news/6846944/detail.html

 

[StevenPro]

From the article:

"... California state law, which places a minimum size limit of 36 inches for any commercial harvest of California leopard sharks."

I don't think I have ever seen a Leopard Shark 36" or more outside of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

 

[dizzy]

I don't think I have ever seen a Leopard Shark 36" or more outside of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Steven if you ever get to Frisco be sure and go by the Steinhart Aquarium. They had some nice large ones on display last time I was there. It really does give you a sense of how large they can get.
Mitch

 

[bookfish]

There are places around Pt. Reyes where the adults come to breed in shallow water. They definitely get big and I've almost had my kayak overturned by full size adults in the shallows.-Jim

 

[Anonymous]

From the article:

"... California state law, which places a minimum size limit of 36 inches for any commercial harvest of California leopard sharks."

I don't think I have ever seen a Leopard Shark 36" or more outside of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

yah, but just how much time have you spent looking

For us near native Californians, we've seen far more then our share Heck, I seen friggin schools of leopards!

 

[bookfish]

Kalk, I gather from your comments that you were discussing another article. Please fill us in.-Jim

 

[Kalkbreath]

On second thought, Im going to stay out of this one and not name names on the events at LAX this week.
Its the inspectors zeal which I wanted to draw attention to.
Seems pretty silly at times.
Kinda like the government is giving them "busy" work .
Wouldnt it make more of an impact for the same shark police to hang out at the pier and encourage catch and release of the hundreds of mother sharks sportfishermen slaughter for fun?
The party boat I was on last month, killed fifty to a hundred sharks on a single day.
Its really a backwards situation thats inplace.

 

[bookfish]

That's quite a party, unless you're one of the sharks.

 

[Kalkbreath]

Is the shark an endangered species?
Thats what the press keeps stating?
Funny how four hundred sharks turns into "thousands" once the press gets a hold of the story.
Wonder why no mention of the sport fishing industrys works to "save the species? :wink:

 

[Kalkbreath]

Sure seems like adult leopard sharks are legal to sell and trade alive?
As long as its a mother shark 36 inches or greater .........oh and full of pups!
I wonder if its legal to transport baby sharks inside the belly of a living mother shark? :wink:

 

[StevenPro]

From the article:

"... California state law, which places a minimum size limit of 36 inches for any commercial harvest of California leopard sharks."

I don't think I have ever seen a Leopard Shark 36" or more outside of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

yah, but just how much time have you spent looking

For us near native Californians, we've seen far more then our share Heck, I seen friggin schools of leopards!

I talking about for sale at a fish store. Everyone I have ever seen was 9-18" long.