A
Anonymous
Guest
I nominate Naesco and Caterham
Lionfish Atlantic
- Thread starter PeterIMA
- Start date
A
Anonymous
Guest
Aw man, I wanted to go 
OK, I vote Neasco as well! I don't want to divide/dilute the vote :lol:
OK, I vote Neasco as well! I don't want to divide/dilute the vote :lol:
Steve,
Although I see your point I disagree as well with your comments about education. Unfortunately the tone and comments we all read on public message forums by the more advanced hobbyists who are such a small fraction of the actual people who own aquarium fish as pets, gives many of us a false perception about the mentality of aquarium fish owners. The overwhelming majority of hobbyists are not even involved with forums, blogs, or even the Internet for that matter. I should know because we interact and communicate with these folks on a daily basis, just like Mitch and most others here who are working so hard in a retail environment.
Of course Educating the consumer is not a remedy, but it is one way that all of us who deal with the end user can be proactive, and try to spread the word about the problems that invasive species can cause. Like Rich stated, most hobbyists have no idea of the potential problems associated with the release of several non-natives into an eco-system. By working hand in hand with local and state agencies such as the DNR (who enforce laws with stiff fines for releasing non-natives into an eco-system), and using some of the resources available from programs like Habitattitude enables all of us the means to provide literature to consumers when selling livestock, and shows that the people who deal and transport these exotic fish and plants are conservation minded here at home. This is one such area that everyone in the trade, as a united group, can help try and increase the awareness about invasives directly to the people who count the most.
So basically what you are saying is that we should just sit back, do nothing, and leave the door open for strict regulation of the aquarium trade in regards to exotic species because there will be a handful of malicious hoodlums who will release an exotic for the sheer fun and thrill.
My biggest problem in the last five years working in the aquarium trade, a profession that I love and care about immensely, is the disjointed and self serving approach that most people have who are a part of the trade today. Doing something here at home, as a united group of concerned professionals who are dedicated and passionate about the aquarium trade is what our industry needs right now.
We can have all of the best fish, hand caught in a sustainable way, by well trained divers who use the proper techniques and proper netting and equipment. These fish can be decompressed and handled properly from the point of collection to transport back to the export facility, tanked, cared for, purged and packaged properly and be ready for transport. If these incredible fish are unable to be shipped to the United States (who by far consumes the vast majority of wild harvested livestock in the world) because we all have chosen to sit back and do nothing allowing unnecessary regulation of the aquarium trade, due largely in part by the lack of unity and lobbying ability among our group, than isn’t in reality all of your hard just in vain?
BTW I applauded your efforts and dedication in regards to what you are accomplishing in PNG. Please say hello to David V for me!
Regards,
Kevin Kohen
Although I see your point I disagree as well with your comments about education. Unfortunately the tone and comments we all read on public message forums by the more advanced hobbyists who are such a small fraction of the actual people who own aquarium fish as pets, gives many of us a false perception about the mentality of aquarium fish owners. The overwhelming majority of hobbyists are not even involved with forums, blogs, or even the Internet for that matter. I should know because we interact and communicate with these folks on a daily basis, just like Mitch and most others here who are working so hard in a retail environment.
Of course Educating the consumer is not a remedy, but it is one way that all of us who deal with the end user can be proactive, and try to spread the word about the problems that invasive species can cause. Like Rich stated, most hobbyists have no idea of the potential problems associated with the release of several non-natives into an eco-system. By working hand in hand with local and state agencies such as the DNR (who enforce laws with stiff fines for releasing non-natives into an eco-system), and using some of the resources available from programs like Habitattitude enables all of us the means to provide literature to consumers when selling livestock, and shows that the people who deal and transport these exotic fish and plants are conservation minded here at home. This is one such area that everyone in the trade, as a united group, can help try and increase the awareness about invasives directly to the people who count the most.
So basically what you are saying is that we should just sit back, do nothing, and leave the door open for strict regulation of the aquarium trade in regards to exotic species because there will be a handful of malicious hoodlums who will release an exotic for the sheer fun and thrill.
My biggest problem in the last five years working in the aquarium trade, a profession that I love and care about immensely, is the disjointed and self serving approach that most people have who are a part of the trade today. Doing something here at home, as a united group of concerned professionals who are dedicated and passionate about the aquarium trade is what our industry needs right now.
We can have all of the best fish, hand caught in a sustainable way, by well trained divers who use the proper techniques and proper netting and equipment. These fish can be decompressed and handled properly from the point of collection to transport back to the export facility, tanked, cared for, purged and packaged properly and be ready for transport. If these incredible fish are unable to be shipped to the United States (who by far consumes the vast majority of wild harvested livestock in the world) because we all have chosen to sit back and do nothing allowing unnecessary regulation of the aquarium trade, due largely in part by the lack of unity and lobbying ability among our group, than isn’t in reality all of your hard just in vain?
BTW I applauded your efforts and dedication in regards to what you are accomplishing in PNG. Please say hello to David V for me!
Regards,
Kevin Kohen
clarionreef
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- San Francisco
People...
If the public is as ill advised as you suggest....how would you target them?
Are you seeing a way to be in touch with them besides the ones you sell to or talk to online?
We all view the issues thru the filter of our own experiences and interests.
For example, if you deal with the lay public everyday, you may well see education as the answer. In business we also call that selling fish which is also a self interest which makes it relevant to you.
Thats fine as it makes one appear to be a more responsible businessman and a trade that markets a lot of cyanide fish for its living needs to feel more responsible somewhere.
Missing the large and embarrassing issues and drawing attention to the small ones is just normal p.r. policy in many industries.
If you work in the scientific community you may see the issue as a research project ....perhaps a lucrative one.
If you work in government, you may see the issue as a regulatory one with big fines and sanctions...and more budget needed for "monitoring."
If you regard the issue as the cat is out of the bag already...you may well see that its too late and the fish are now part of the new evolving eco-system like in the example of the blue/gold snapper in Hawaii or the Nile perch in Lake Victoria.... or, the other hundreds of invasives already in Florida.
IF thats the case....it seems to me that the after market remedies are unfortunately too late and ineffective.
I believe it was done largely by those beyond your influence to reach. The sinners who don't go to church, the druggies who don't respect the law in the first place and the jerks who will do it for thrills.
If you can actually reach the sincere people who simply lacked the proper sales-education...thats great. And you should continue .
I fear that the die is cast on this one though and the lions have already taken hold.
Steve
If the public is as ill advised as you suggest....how would you target them?
Are you seeing a way to be in touch with them besides the ones you sell to or talk to online?
We all view the issues thru the filter of our own experiences and interests.
For example, if you deal with the lay public everyday, you may well see education as the answer. In business we also call that selling fish which is also a self interest which makes it relevant to you.
Thats fine as it makes one appear to be a more responsible businessman and a trade that markets a lot of cyanide fish for its living needs to feel more responsible somewhere.
Missing the large and embarrassing issues and drawing attention to the small ones is just normal p.r. policy in many industries.
If you work in the scientific community you may see the issue as a research project ....perhaps a lucrative one.
If you work in government, you may see the issue as a regulatory one with big fines and sanctions...and more budget needed for "monitoring."
If you regard the issue as the cat is out of the bag already...you may well see that its too late and the fish are now part of the new evolving eco-system like in the example of the blue/gold snapper in Hawaii or the Nile perch in Lake Victoria.... or, the other hundreds of invasives already in Florida.
IF thats the case....it seems to me that the after market remedies are unfortunately too late and ineffective.
I believe it was done largely by those beyond your influence to reach. The sinners who don't go to church, the druggies who don't respect the law in the first place and the jerks who will do it for thrills.
If you can actually reach the sincere people who simply lacked the proper sales-education...thats great. And you should continue .
I fear that the die is cast on this one though and the lions have already taken hold.
Steve
Yes, I see a way to get in touch with those beyond the internet.
I already mentioned Kevin Kohen on television. We will also be 13 weeks on Animal Planet beginning in April 2008. This is a huge step in a noninternet, nonretail direction. Please go to DrsFosterSmith.com or LiveAquaria.com to review the results of a 4 million dollar, private funded media campaign. Click on "Faithful Friends". Will this change the world ? No. Will it help the hobby's image?--------For sure!!!
I already mentioned Kevin Kohen on television. We will also be 13 weeks on Animal Planet beginning in April 2008. This is a huge step in a noninternet, nonretail direction. Please go to DrsFosterSmith.com or LiveAquaria.com to review the results of a 4 million dollar, private funded media campaign. Click on "Faithful Friends". Will this change the world ? No. Will it help the hobby's image?--------For sure!!!
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