Has anyone heard about this? - Reefing in danger of becaming ilegal?!

[STiTCH87]

I don't think we'll ever see this go into effect to the extent of where you can only legally buy and sell softies and a few more common LPS. Maybe i'm wrong, but I doubt it. And let's face it, we DO need to rebuild the reefs.

To StingyThingy, they do have many many samples from the reefs that they are growing out in facilities to help reseed the reef, but they decided to leave it up to government funded facilities with deep pockets to do so as their jobs rather than hobbyists who can't exactly grow each individual coral in a tank separate by itself and monitor with expensive equipment.

I think one big push as to why they are putting such a huge protection on corals is because of this:
"According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, live coral coverage on Caribbean reefs is down to an average of just 8 percent, from 50 percent in the 1970s."
Etc. Etc. You all have to admit, the corals reefs are virtually gone already, and a huge part of it is from propagation. And working at a LFS, it's scary to see how much stuff dies in transport or goes to a bad home.

Maybe they have hopes of something good like this happening again:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130405094523.htm

Also an interesting read as to how it isn't just our generation that negatively affected reefs:
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/11/07/study-humans-caused-historic-great-barrier-reef-collapse/

 

[Coffee with Mango]

I just took my family to see "The Last Reef" at the Museum of Science in Boston. While a little low in content, that documentary indicated that the greatest threat to the coral reefs is the acidification of the ocean caused by increased Co2 in the atmosphere. That documentary seemed to minimize, but not totally discount, the impact of other human effects on the reefs.

 

[delta]

I opened that thread, and was warned less than then 10 minutes later they were probably going to close it...

It is political as this will be legislation but the BRS has a forum specific for reefkeeping politics of which is where this will most likely end up. It was started so when political issue came up the member could discuss, rally support and fight for or against certain legislation within the hobby

And for anyone who thinks reefkeeping would never be made illegal think again it has come close a few times. It is highly likely as the people who want it stopped have no idea the headway the hobby has made in reversing the problem the hobby has caused as well as the knowledge base of the livestock we keep

 

[stevenp]

Moved to Reef Related Politics

 

[higorc]

Thanks for keeping this thread open. Maybe I was ignorant to this before and by no means I want to pretend like I was the first one to bring this really important issue up, But I never heard of it before "worded" like it was this time. I think we should really take this issue serious; I am not one for politics, I run from it... But sometimes you can't run from problems or it will comeback to get u.

I know there are a lot more knowledgeable people on this matter than I would ever be in our forum, and I really wish we talked about this more. I know I am not the poster child to ask for anything. I have been part of this forum since 2007 and a paid member for 2 years. I have never been to a club meeting (belive it or not), but I think we should really take this matters serious.

I apoligize for not being more involved in this and not taking any action towards it, but I really would like to know what I, as a member and a hobbist am able to do to voice out my believes on such question.

Thanks
Higor

 

[dz6t]

The corals that could end up on endanger list are not hard to identify in an aquarium. Also, some of them are not in normal coral trade anyway. I looked at the list and all of them are not hard to identify with trained eyes.

One of the reason people suspect to happen is that it could be very difficult to identify them during importation, so a blanket ban of stony corals importation could happen.

I don't think we should panic but try to push for a reasonable solution that save the reef as well as the hobby.

If you visit some major LFS, most SPS on sale are matinecultured already.

 

[higorc]

I guess nothing happened with this. How would we know if it went through or not?

Higor

 

[dz6t]

Just wait, it will take a while.

 

[RiverRat]

I don't want to get this thread all political....
but I sent a letter off to our senators and a few reps, as well as senators and reps in Hawaii, California, and Florida...
I will let you know about the responses (if I get any at all, haha).

So, a quick update....
Out of the many letters I sent off to members of the house and senate from several states, I have received one reply (so far)......
Congressman Tierney (MA-06) gave a response stating that his staff has contacted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) about the matter (and my concerns) and is awaiting a response from them. His office will relay any information they receive from the response.

So, not much information to give yet. But I did appreciate the reply from his office.

 

[dz6t]

any update?

 

[RiverRat]

I forgot about this topic......
I received this response from Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii

Thank you for your letter sharing your concerns regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) proposed listing of 83 coral species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the impacts it would have on your hobby of reef keeping.

The ESA provides major support for the nation's endangered species, but in order to invoke its strong protections, the ESA requires significant scientific evidence. In this case, I have been informed that a broad spectrum of the scientific community at home in Hawaii and in the Pacific at large questions whether NOAA has an adequate scientific basis for the listing decision. Based on these respected scientists' opinions, I asked NOAA to exercise its right under the ESA to a 6-month extension to make its listing decision so that it could take the time to find consensus among the scientific community.

NOAA honored this request, and so there will be no decision until June of next year. Please be assured that I am monitoring this issue closely and will continue to do my best to ensure that decisions are made based on strong, objectively verifiable science.

Sincerely,

BRIAN SCHATZ
U.S. Senator

 

[dz6t]

June 2014 or June 2015?

 

[Matt L.]

Wow. I can't believe the Senator wrote you back, and it sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

Matt

 

[reefstarter]

Is this still an ongoing legislation ? Has a vote been made ? ( without us of course ) I think this had to have been made by a liberal , heres the way they think ..... A liberal walks up to a man with a crate of nice tasty looking shiny apples and says " I see you have some really nice apples there , mind if I put my rotten ones in with them to make them better ? " Juuuust saying

 

[Puff Daddy]

It is not legislation per say. It is a decision made by the executive branch. Different agencies control listing for animals in different environments. There is usually a period of public comment, a decision, and sometimes a lawsuit challenging the decision. Sometimes decisions to list animals are forced by a environmental group lawsuit, as was the case with the polar bears.

 

[RiverRat]

I think this had to have been made by a liberal , heres the way they think ..... A liberal walks up to a man with a crate of nice tasty looking shiny apples and says " I see you have some really nice apples there , mind if I put my rotten ones in with them to make them better ? " Juuuust saying

Sorry that is absolute crap.

If you read the prior posts you would notice that it was two liberal politicians who responded in watching over this (one of whom is from Hawaii, a state that would take a larger economic impact than other states).
This isn't a liberal vs. conservative issue.

 

[higorc]

Nice...


https://rettalbot.wordpress.com/201...sses-that-importing-listed-corals-is-illegal/

 

[jason401]

Nice...


https://rettalbot.wordpress.com/201...sses-that-importing-listed-corals-is-illegal/

Auther "Ret Talbot" will be here next month to speek of the topic

 

[22engine]

I think it crazy as well but I have to be honest I think this will hurt he stores and suppliers the most. I mean as hobbiest I don't think they will be knocking on people's doors to check if you have a reef. So we would still be able to trade and buy amounts our selves. Just would all be in secret.

Drugs aren't legal either and look how good that works out.

 

[Puff Daddy]

Punishments for violating the Lacey Act of 1900 can be pretty harsh. Harsher than some drug penalties. I wouldn't even mess with it. It does not matter if you are an individual.