HR 669 : CONGRESSIONAL HEARING BANNING NONNATIVE SPECIES APRIL 23, 2009 ACTION NEEDED

tricksterpup said:
I just want to work on this quote and say yes we do. There are many of us who do promote responsible pet keeping on forums. I am not sure where you are getting your information? Do you belong to many forums that are just pet related and not just tropical fish?

I belong to about a half dozen forums that are tropical fish and also reptile related. I also do educational talks about reptiles and the environment. I spread the word about being a responsible pet owner to children. Do you?
What do you do on a daily basis that helps promote what you are saying?

Most of the shops I go to, promote responsible pet care as well. They will refuse to sell to people if they feel the person isn't buying the animal for the right reasons.

But this weekend, i talked to a few distributors on fish and animals and this bill does have them worried. If this bill goes through it will shut down many businesses that work with Reptiles and Amphibians, Tropical fish and birds.
Just imagine all the pet supply companies just closing up. It is a multi billion dollar industry in the United states. Like I said, it has Professional Fish only stores scared.

Now before people say well its mainly going to effect reptiles, what should I care? Well Just look at the NARBC shows, they are bringing more and more people every year. At most of these shows where they sell and trade reptiles they can barely fit all the people that want to go inside. Its just amazing.

It would be a shame to end a hobby right when more people are trying to explore new pet options.
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I don't spend as much time as I used to on herp forums but they really seem to be much more aware of release (and over harvest from wild populations) than fish guys, don't you agree?

I spend my time on forums, I moderate and I'm one of the founders of a current fish forum. Naturally, personal responsibility is a priority there. I also donate my time to raise money for organizations to help north american native fishes and I even serve on the board of directors for a national non profit organization to create awareness, study and conserve north american native fishes.

As far as where am I getting my information....interactions on tropical fish forums (not dog forums with a tiny fish sub-forum) and places like the USGS. I am in no way picking on this forum or it's members. I simply don't see the same energy being put into opposing this bill as I see being put into creating awareness about the dangers of release on forums.
 
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teleost, I do agree with some you on some of these points. I feel that most people feel that this will not effect them in any way. They should oppose this bill and also promote awareness about dumping animals. But the people who do that do not join or not on boards. They are typically people who just want to have a fish that grows to big or they get bored with them.
I see the same in reptile forums but its the same apathetic view point that we see in America today, its the "not my responsibility let some one else to the work".
I was on the board of a herp society and we promoted awareness and also had Andrew Wyatt recently come to our society. It was an eye opening discussion.
 
I hear you Tricksterpup but I have to disagree a bit, I have been in quite a few arguments over release on forums over the years. People who release fish have even read this thread and thought to themselves....it couldn't possibly have survived so what do I care.

A big part of me also wishes the bill to fail and another part of me hopes if it's enacted, it's administered with common sense. Common sense and federal law is an oxymoron I believe.

I did forget to list another group I partnered with and maybe posting here will help. Habitattitude I believe should be joined by the administrators of every single tropical fish forum, pet shop owner, distributor and importer (or anyone else that deals with tropical fish for a living). If for no other reason to show support for education in this matter. They offer ideas and graphics to help promote the message. I would be great to see a more prominant meaasge about the dangers of release in pet stores and on forums.
 
Maybe it would be a good thing for it to get passed... It's just disgusting to me that it has to go this far that the gov't has to step in and enforce this because people couldn't be responsible on their own.
 
captmicha said:
Maybe it would be a good thing for it to get passed... It's just disgusting to me that it has to go this far that the gov't has to step in and enforce this because people couldn't be responsible on their own.
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Then you can kiss all your MA and PA petstores good buy. Your local pet fish distributors will also close up as well or atleast a good portion of them. This will also cause problems for local fish breeders and fish clubs. No more auctions or trading of fish that isnt behind secrete doors.

Now lets step up from the local and go a bit national. Do you not thing Dr. Fosters and Smiths would not have financial issues over this if it goes through. How about internet fish breeders? Big Al's will have problems as well. Or what about All Glass tanks? or other Aquarium company. They would loose Millions.

Do you know that many live bearers were saved due to the hobby? Guess what happens there now??

This may not effect your personally but I have friend's who would loose their lively hoods if this went through. Right now the MA and PA stores are having a rough enough time, so should we just put the final nail in the coffin?
 
Add banning painted/dyed/tattooed fish to your bill.
 
Hey JM, why are asian aros banned again?
 
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