The implementation of the USL or Unsuitable Species List voluntarily by industry or legislated by governements is a given.
Serious consideration needs to be given to a RSL.
I propose we work now towards agreement to a RSL now.
The first species to the RSL should be sea anemones.
Ronald Shimek in his book "Marine Invertabrates wrote at pages 82-83.
"Any anemone removed from the coral reef area removes any possibility of clownfishes from that area because in the wild these fishes require the anemone's presence for their survival. It has been documented that sea anemones reproduce and spread slowly in nature, and small individuals are almost never seen. Some researchers have indicataed that adult anemones may be several centuries old. Collectors are removing literally all the anemones from some reef areas."
Given his learned comments and the fact that they can be aqua-cultured it makes no sense to continue wild harvest of these species and accordingly their import should be restricted by industry before steps are taking to legislate a total ban on their import
Wayne Ryan
Serious consideration needs to be given to a RSL.
I propose we work now towards agreement to a RSL now.
The first species to the RSL should be sea anemones.
Ronald Shimek in his book "Marine Invertabrates wrote at pages 82-83.
"Any anemone removed from the coral reef area removes any possibility of clownfishes from that area because in the wild these fishes require the anemone's presence for their survival. It has been documented that sea anemones reproduce and spread slowly in nature, and small individuals are almost never seen. Some researchers have indicataed that adult anemones may be several centuries old. Collectors are removing literally all the anemones from some reef areas."
Given his learned comments and the fact that they can be aqua-cultured it makes no sense to continue wild harvest of these species and accordingly their import should be restricted by industry before steps are taking to legislate a total ban on their import
Wayne Ryan