Florida May Limit Catch of Exotic Fish

[Guest Tomsimtim]

Formal stock assessments have not been done for any species captured for aquariums, which means that no one knows whether the current level of fishing is sustainable. This lack of information is precisely why many fishermen are pressing for restrictions.

 

"There's no science on this fishery," said Nedimyer, chairman of the Florida Marine Life Association, which represents people who catch the fish. "Nobody really has a clue how many fish are out there. There's a handful of us trying to be managers, trying to help the state do the right thing."

 

The vast majority of fish that are caught survive the trip to the pet shop, according to people in the industry. Nedimyer said his survival rate easily exceeds 90 percent. When he loses fish, it's generally because a flight delay leaves the fish in an area that's too hot or too cold, he said.

 

Bill Wymard, director of operations for Aquarium Adventure, in Columbus, who has bought fish from Nedimyer since the 1970s, agreed with his survival estimate, saying "when we get them, they're in very good shape."

 

The Marine Aquarium Council, an international organization that promotes environmentally sound practices in the industry, has established a survival standard of about 99 percent for each species at each stage of the collection and transport process.

 

Some environmentalists object to the use of the anesthetic quinaldine to catch fish, saying it harms nearby fish and coral reefs. Animal-rights groups oppose the trade in principle, saying it's wrong to confine fish that haven't been raised in captivity.

 

"We don't think life in an aquarium for a wild-caught fish is what you want to see," said Richard Farinato, director of captive protection for the Humane Society of the United States. "It's such a restriction for the fish. When you consider that these are animals that live in an environment that's an organic, live community -- the reefs, the schools of fish."

 

The effort to restrict the aquarium-fish trade began several years ago. Concerned when the number of permits rose past 700, the state wildlife commission in 1998 imposed a moratorium on new permits. Even though only a fourth of permit holders actually caught any fish, the commission was concerned that the dormant permits could suddenly come into use.

 

The moratorium expires next year, and the commission is now trying to establish rules that would permanently hold down the number of permits. Under the proposed rules, only those who have actually caught fish during the past few years could qualify for a permit, with the top-tier permits reserved for those who did at least $5,000 in business in year. The rules would also restrict who could sell their permits.

 

Among those who would receive only limited permits under the new rules, there's talk that the professionals are promoting the changes just to eliminate competition.

 

But Jessica McCawley, a biologist with the state wildlife commission, said she thinks the professionals are acting primarily to protect the health of the fishery. Several major players would receive more restricted licenses under the new rules, she said, yet they still support the changes.

 

The commission is scheduled to vote on the permit restrictions Dec. 1 during its meeting in Key Largo.

 

Causey said the restrictions will help drive out the amateurs, who hold fish in garbage cans, put incompatible fish together or put big fish in a position to kill small fish.

 

"It is critical that you have people that are professionals all the way," Causey said. "It will definitely weed out those that are not serious about it."

 

Staff Photographer Joe Amon contributed to this article.

 

David Fleshler can be reached at dfleshler@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4535.

 

Copyright © 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

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[quazi]

First post - way to go. Good stuff.  [nana]

 

W E L C O M E !

[Guest goblinshark]

GOOD!  Those fisheris are on the brink of extinction and the keys barrier is the last coral reef in the contiental united states!  All those Ricordia you have....:(