Coral Imports to Puerto Rico

[Anonymous]

Hello everybody! Just a quick question. There's a rumor going around amongst SW hobbyists here in Puerto Rico that coral imports to the island are close to being stopped/banned sometime within the next couple of mos. . Has anybody heard/knows anything about this?

Thank you guys/gals

 

[Anonymous]

Haven't heard anything. Where are you on the island? I have a cousin who works for the USDA, as well as.. well, more cousins (and my uncles, aunts, and.. you know how it is). I can try to contact them to ask what they know if you like.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm in Carolina. Any help would be appreciated Marina, Thank You.

I admin the only local forum and this was a topic that came up and so far nobody has been able to provide conclusive "evidence" to this.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll try to get in touch with the USDA cousin. She helped me with some exportation many years ago, but she held a different position back then.

 

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't US F & W S be a better agency to contact, or NOAA? USDA is a very minor player when it comes to MO.

 

[Anonymous]

That may be, but as far as I know I don't have any family working for those agencies. I made the offer since everything I learned when I visited to collect and bring specimens back home was through this particular cousin. Last time I was there to collect USDA was the only agency concerned. Mari Dalia was very helpful. The woman holding my specimens pre-ship was not.

I have not yet heard back from her.

 

[spawner]

I've heard the same thing. I've got a couple of people that are checking with PR DNR tomorrow. Most likely another knee jerk reaction by DNR down there.

 

[Anonymous]

I've heard the same thing. I've got a couple of people that are checking with PR DNR tomorrow. Most likely another knee jerk reaction by DNR down there.

That has been the norm in the past. I just don't see any reason whatsoever for this ban. TY guys, and spawner if you could let me know what , if anything, you're able to find out.

 

[Anonymous]

Hello everybody! Just a quick question. There's a rumor going around amongst SW hobbyists here in Puerto Rico that coral imports to the island are close to being stopped/banned sometime within the next couple of mos. . Has anybody heard/knows anything about this?

Thank you guys/gals

I'm curious what the grounds of the ban are.

 

[Anonymous]

Knowing what I do about the LACK of knowledge within the agencies concerned, I have a feeling the someone heard something that somebody said and then sent out a memo. Literally.

 

[spawner]

Ok from what I heard it's going through the court system. But that is from an academic not a DNR person.

 

[Anonymous]

Knowing what I do about the LACK of knowledge within the agencies concerned, I have a feeling the someone heard something that somebody said and then sent out a memo. Literally.

That's my concern too :roll: . In the past when the ban on imports on Volitans LF was implemented there was a good reason, some where found in local waters, but for this I just don't see any good reason. Agencies here are for lack of better words useless.

And let's not forget this is an election year so this has got to fit into somebody's political agenda somehow, I just would like to know whose.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll email Mari again, I still haven't heard back from her. Of course, she's got a higher position now and is able to take lots of vacation time, so she may not even be on the island for all I know.

What's getting me is that, considering the condition of a lot of the reef on the Caribbean side of the island, knowing the damage and pollution that's been done, I find myself thinking that, even if it's a non-native species (as though someone's going to have so much success with a coral that they have to release it) it might not be such a bad thing. Diving on the southwest side of the island is truly dismal. Except for the triggers, they've got plenty of those.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok from what I heard it's going through the court system. But that is from an academic not a DNR person.

TY spawner , any word as to where this "project" came from? What is really annoying is that LFS owners have no clue whatsoever about this. And to make it worse many are just dismissing it as just gossip.

 

[Anonymous]

Marina I hear you loud and clear, there's a huge need for better planning especially where it's concerned with coastal developments but since many developers are major contributors to political campaigns you know as well as I do that the government just looks away and gives out construction permits left and right.

This looks like just an escape goat to applease somebody.. just want to know who :roll:

 

[Anonymous]

You guys realize that, even though it's a commonwealth of the U.S., Puerto Rico is much like other Latin American countries in that it isn't what you know, it's who you know, right? I mean, heck, I could contact another cousin who has regular contact with the governor, but I doubt that even if I found out the specifics I could find out what's really going on. You see?

There is someone who will benefit, and someone who is willing to help them benefit. The question is whom, partly, but ultimately it won't matter unless somehow U.S. law can trump P.R. law to then be enforced.

The issue isn't just with coastal development, it is also with how islanders treat their whole island.

 

[Anonymous]

True, when I moved back here after living in the States I had a tough time adjusting to everyday living in the island. Not a day goes by that I don't think about getting on a plane and going back.

This topic has The Sump written all over it. :lol:

 

[spawner]

I'm a lot less concerned about most of the large stuff that escapes and really worried about what is growing on or in them going crazy. That is a true concern. But I don't see a large degree of risk compared to the shipping industry and other factors. I don't know anyone that actively releases corals. It's how we got Atlantic Lion fish but most other species would never take. Now if a coral came with some type of generalist predator that spread like the lion fish have but eats coral; image what would happen.

In PR you almost had a decent aquaculture industry until you have to go get 14 agencies to permit you; image all of the bribe money that is required for that down there.

 

[JeremyR]

I can't help you.. but you have an awesome avatar. 8)

 

[Anonymous]

I can't help you.. but you have an awesome avatar. 8)

Well... it's Reef related :lol: