Just one more reason that the older I get, the more Libertarian I become. I just want the government out of my life. People wonder why I'm not retiring here in the US?
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It may be that what is protected is actually “finding Nemo”, not the word Nemo itself. The public aquarium case that I referred to tried to use a cartoon clownfish and call it Nemo….that didn’t fly.Which is in itself absurd because Pixar got the name Nemo from Jules Verne. It's public domain.
Except it doesn’t give a stance on the bill. Are you for the bill or against it?What if we draft something like this and ask everyone to write their congress person...
The Positive Environmental Impact of Reef Hobbyists
I am writing to you as a constituent and an avid supporter of environmental conservation, particularly in the realm of marine ecosystems. It has come to my attention that the contributions of reef hobbyists to environmental protection are often overlooked. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight how this community positively influences marine conservation and public awareness.
Reef hobbyists are not just enthusiasts who appreciate marine life from a distance; they are active participants in the conservation of marine ecosystems. Through the maintenance of home aquariums, these hobbyists develop a deep understanding of and appreciation for the delicate balance required for reef ecosystems to thrive. This hands-on experience is invaluable in fostering a conservation mindset.
Moreover, reef hobbyists often become ambassadors for marine conservation in their communities. By sharing their passion and knowledge about marine life with friends, family, and the public, they raise awareness about the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems. This grassroots level of education is crucial in building a broader public understanding and support for marine conservation efforts.
Importantly, many hobbyists actively participate in and support coral propagation initiatives. These efforts are not just about sustaining their aquariums; they have real-world implications for reef restoration projects. By cultivating corals, hobbyists help to mitigate the impacts of coral bleaching and other environmental stressors on natural reefs.
Furthermore, the reef hobbyist community often collaborates with scientists and conservation organizations. This collaboration includes sharing valuable data on coral health and growth patterns, contributing to a larger body of research that can inform policy and conservation strategies.
Therefore, I respectfully urge you to recognize and support the positive contributions of reef hobbyists in environmental conservation efforts. By fostering a supportive legislative environment for these enthusiasts, we can further enhance their ability to contribute to the preservation and restoration of our precious marine ecosystems.
Thank you for considering this perspective. I am confident that with your support and leadership, we can make significant strides in marine conservation that benefit not only our environment but also future generations.
Exactly, They did that here in Oregon for dredging. You have to file for a permit l, but no one issues the permit after you pay. So it’s impossible to do the activity.I think the NEMO name is actually copyright infringement! The Georgia Aquarium had to call their mascot Deepo instead of Nemo.
Another thing that I’ve seen with USDA regulations is the reliance on the “appropriate secretary” to approve activities. The various agencies have no resources for this oversight and no funding is tied to the bill. The result is that the law then simply STOPS the activity as there is nobody to approve it.
Jay
If people are not able to see the animals that are tring to be saved they start not to care what happens to them. This has been shown over and over when zoos are shut down and the public doesn't get to see what they are asked to save the donations stop and people loose interest.I used to work in animal conservation. There was a definite part of me that hated the exotic pet trade. (I did work mostly with big cats so it is a bit different as they are a far worse pet.)
However anyone who’s had any success with animal conservation knows that it’s money and human interest that saves animals and ecosystems. This hobby provides a ton of both. As a community we can’t deny that we are the direct cause of the loss of millions of fish and corals but compared to pollution, climate change, disease, habitat destruction, and fishing/collection for human consumption the hobby does comparatively little. However what this hobby does die is it adds the highest monetary value for these organisms and requires them to be as healthy as possible. More than any practice we require healthy coral reefs and are willing to pay a ton for it. If the hobby is suddenly banned will the collectors across the world give up and take up accounting or the theatrical arts. No they will continue to do what they know how to do and if they have to switch from carefully collecting live fish for a lot of money per fish to netting tons of fish to sell for food they will do that.
Now we could of course do better. Should we continue to accept fish from places that allow cyanide collection for example? Should we be better at encouraging captive breeding programs, aquaculture, and mariculture? In the end though this is a hobby that is not a particularly moral hobby but a hobby that does bring in a ton of money and interest that goes to saving reefs. Even if we are not actively trying to save them accidental funding is better than nothing. Banning the hobby does nothing.
This is really interesting - what is the definition of 'zoo' in this article. Because - of major city zoo's I have not heard of many closing. But there are also small community 'zoos' as well.If people are not able to see the animals that are tring to be saved they start not to care what happens to them. This has been shown over and over when zoos are shut down and the public doesn't get to see what they are asked to save the donations stop and people loose interest.
This is really interesting - what is the definition of 'zoo' in this article. Because - of major city zoo's I have not heard of many closing. But there are also small community 'zoos' as well.
Well - if you look at the list many of the torn down zoos were re-built or there are names torn down in the 1800's. So - I wouldn't say there are a rash of zoo closings.List of former zoos and aquariums - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
I know a site dedicated to the hobby is going to have a bias, but this part of the article is flat out wrong:
"Upon passage of the bill, all imports, exports, and collection of stony corals, seahorses, and giant clams, whether from aquaculture, mariculture, or wild sources, would be banned with all other marine aquarium organisms being subject to ban following petition and litigation from activist organizations. In short order, almost all marine aquarium organisms would eventually be banned from import, export, and collection.
Even maricultured coral would be banned under the Saving NEMO act."
Here is the actual language from the exceptions section of the bill, Sec. 2(c)(1)(C): " IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) does not apply with respect to an individual of a covered coral reef species that is...a product of a qualified aquaculture or mariculture facility, as determined by the appropriate Secretary;"
I'm sure this would result in less imports, but not an outright ban on everything. The gist of it appears to be ensuring livestock is either responsibly collected, or comes from a aquaculture/mariculture facility.
Also, the name is stupid.
I don’t think anybody intimated that there a rash of closings. I think the point was that in total it is documented that the closings in aggregate have allowed people to become disconnected.Well - if you look at the list many of the torn down zoos were re-built or there are names torn down in the 1800's. So - I wouldn't say there are a rash of zoo closings.
I was replying to : " This has been shown over and over when zoos are shut down and the public doesn't get to see what they are asked to save the donations stop and people loose interest."I don’t think anybody intimated that there a rash of closings. I think the point was that in total it is documented that the closings in aggregate have allowed people to become disconnected.
Well - if you look at the list many of the torn down zoos were re-built or there are names torn down in the 1800's. So - I wouldn't say there are a rash of zoo closings.
Same experience at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas. Reef representation was at most 1% of the displays, and it was poorly cared for.Last major aquarium I went to - I'll call it out, it was the virginia aquarium in virginia beach - their 'reef tank' was just BTAs and clarki clowns. They had a 'coral propagation' exhibit which contained three or four frags in a 40 breeder tank with 10k of needless equipment attached to it. Don't count on institutions to have any clue about coral.