The fat lady and Ricordia

[bobimport]

Well the fat lady has sung........... The Head Of the National Marine Sanctuary attended the meeting in the Keys to point out that ANY chipping in the Sanctuary is Verboten! That means that any ricordea on rock/ small chips is now illegal. Ricordea imported from Haiti is of course exempt.

Bob Kelton
D.R.Imports
305-593-6005

Still the only source of ricordea on rock from Haiti

 

[IconicAquariums]

So now fisheries has some other distractions with people chipping tiny pieces off and won't focus at all on the 12" rocks & gorgonias being poached :evil: Lame.

Bob, how much of the ric collection was actually in those sanctuaries?

 

[bobimport]

ALL OF IT!!!!!

 

[spawner]

so you were at the meeting?

Well the fat lady has sung........... The Head Of the National Marine Sanctuary attended the meeting in the Keys to point out that ANY chipping in the Sanctuary is Verboten! That means that any ricordea on rock/ small chips is now illegal. Ricordea imported from Haiti is of course exempt.

Bob Kelton
D.R.Imports
305-593-6005

Still the only source of ricordea on rock from Haiti

 

[bobimport]

nope just got the report from divers. I was sniped at so badley last time when i tried to warn them the the state was going to at some point step in.. If it swims or crawls over the reef I dont have a problem it collecting it. But chipping,defaceing ,prying no bad PR

 

[JeremyR]

So basically you feel that it's great that you can collect whole rocks & live rock in haiti, and even better that the competition can no longer chip single polyps in florida.

 

[bobimport]

Hmmmm nice try to paint me greedy reef destroyer. No, i do feel a BIG I told you so as I went to the last meeting and warned the fisheries advisory board. ( made up of collectors only) that they were about to stir the pot up so to speak. They tried to write a rule that would allow a "chip" on each polyp not to exceed 1/4 inch beyond the edge of the ricordia. Well i told them "i don't have a problem with that but it was a PR nightmare akin to Live rock flap that almost got the whole Keys shut down in the 90's. I told them that the Sanctuary would never go for it and would open a can of worms. well I took a LOT of heat like you would not believe. I thought my name had been changed to " That A** Hole Bob" Well these Clods were playing with fire and now maybe the Marine Sanctuary boys will reexamine the whole concept of harvest in the Keys. Despite my connections in Haiti that will not impact me in a positive way.

 

[swsaltwater]

I think they need to push for a ban in Haiti as well Is there anywhere in florida safe to collect now?

 

[bobimport]

I agree shut down haiti then I will open a pet shop in Tucson I hear they need a GOOD one

 

[IconicAquariums]

will this affect Gorgonians as well?

 

[bobimport]

I am not sure on that point

 

[naesco]

I agree shut down haiti then I will open a pet shop in Tucson I hear they need a GOOD one

You can be commended as a business person for having the forsight in looking to Haiti as a source when the writing was on the wall and industry did nothing to improve harvest in Florida.

What steps are you taking to improve the collection methods in Haiti?
Thank you
Wayne Ryan

 

[swsaltwater]

They have gone to a milder dynamite to destroy the reef. hehe

 

[Caterham]

Naesco,

Thanks so much for your contributions to this thread.

Unfortunately, with absolutely zero past or current involvement in the trade of marine ornamentals there are some folks here is this community that might take your comments somewhat lightly.

I respect your efforts and hope that you continue to stay involved. All good teams have people cheering for them on the sidelines, out of play.

Warmest regards