My post last week, "How much would you pay for a sustainably caught fish," has yielded many interesting and some surprising responses.
After responding to some of those amazing answers, I realized that my response really should have its own thread. So here it is again as a new topic.
In the face of divers without nets trying to catch fish without cyanide or lfs or hobbyists succumbing to "the most fish for the least money", maybe it is time for conscientous hobbyists to align themselves (AND the local lfs of their choice) with one wholesaler who aligns directly with AND trains/certifies one or more collection communities.
As a hobbyist, I am VERY interested in funding and being a part of such a vertical chain. Steve, Mary, and other conscientous importers, are you interested in anchoring the other end of the chain?
Imagine this:
The hobbyist group actually supports and funds Steve, Mary and others as they implement sustainable collection methods. This would vest the hobbyist in proper collection and importation procedures, and more importantly, would fund and support proper collection at the reef. In essence, the hobbyist group would "Adopt-A-Reef" and through the efforts of Steve, Mary et al,
would insure that that reef is being harvested in a SUSTAINABLE fashion.
Take it to the next level ... by adopting a reef(s), the hobbyist group can follow the training implemented by Steve et.al. at that site. This would involve the hobbyist to a greater extent in the entire collection process, eliminating some of the disconnect reflected in some of the recent replys to my original post. To keep the money flowing to Steve, Mary, et.al., the hobbyist group would provide an annual stipend and could even travel to "their" reef to observe, spend money and learn more.
Once this process is started, different acquarium clubs, different jr. high science classes, different etc (use your imagination)... each could "Adopt A Reef" under the guidance of Steve, and Mary. Each year, the most successful "Adopted Reef" could be recognized at some public forum like MACNA, FAMA, National Geographic etc etc etc.
If the issue of sustainable collection has been wrestled with for years with no resolution, the only solution is to pursue a different tack.
Connect the hobbyist directly to the source, with the hobbyist only able to buy from that source thru the local lfs of their choice (which encourages that lfs to buy additional livestock from the adopted reef etc.) That is good business for the hobbyist, good business for the lfs choosen by the local chapter of the hobbyist group (which in itself would be good business of that lfs), good business for reputable collector/importers like Steve and Mary and great news for the reef and its creatures.
Let's go. I am ready. Are you?
Note: By mentioning Steve and Mary by name, I am not suggesting that they have condoned or agreed to participate in such a concept. I have not talked to them, and they certainly never have heard of me.
But from their responses to various posts, it seems that they or others like them would be ideal canidates at the training/certification, collection and importation end of the Adopt-A-Reef chain.
After responding to some of those amazing answers, I realized that my response really should have its own thread. So here it is again as a new topic.
In the face of divers without nets trying to catch fish without cyanide or lfs or hobbyists succumbing to "the most fish for the least money", maybe it is time for conscientous hobbyists to align themselves (AND the local lfs of their choice) with one wholesaler who aligns directly with AND trains/certifies one or more collection communities.
As a hobbyist, I am VERY interested in funding and being a part of such a vertical chain. Steve, Mary, and other conscientous importers, are you interested in anchoring the other end of the chain?
Imagine this:
The hobbyist group actually supports and funds Steve, Mary and others as they implement sustainable collection methods. This would vest the hobbyist in proper collection and importation procedures, and more importantly, would fund and support proper collection at the reef. In essence, the hobbyist group would "Adopt-A-Reef" and through the efforts of Steve, Mary et al,
would insure that that reef is being harvested in a SUSTAINABLE fashion.
Take it to the next level ... by adopting a reef(s), the hobbyist group can follow the training implemented by Steve et.al. at that site. This would involve the hobbyist to a greater extent in the entire collection process, eliminating some of the disconnect reflected in some of the recent replys to my original post. To keep the money flowing to Steve, Mary, et.al., the hobbyist group would provide an annual stipend and could even travel to "their" reef to observe, spend money and learn more.
Once this process is started, different acquarium clubs, different jr. high science classes, different etc (use your imagination)... each could "Adopt A Reef" under the guidance of Steve, and Mary. Each year, the most successful "Adopted Reef" could be recognized at some public forum like MACNA, FAMA, National Geographic etc etc etc.
If the issue of sustainable collection has been wrestled with for years with no resolution, the only solution is to pursue a different tack.
Connect the hobbyist directly to the source, with the hobbyist only able to buy from that source thru the local lfs of their choice (which encourages that lfs to buy additional livestock from the adopted reef etc.) That is good business for the hobbyist, good business for the lfs choosen by the local chapter of the hobbyist group (which in itself would be good business of that lfs), good business for reputable collector/importers like Steve and Mary and great news for the reef and its creatures.
Let's go. I am ready. Are you?
Note: By mentioning Steve and Mary by name, I am not suggesting that they have condoned or agreed to participate in such a concept. I have not talked to them, and they certainly never have heard of me.
But from their responses to various posts, it seems that they or others like them would be ideal canidates at the training/certification, collection and importation end of the Adopt-A-Reef chain.
