Re: [RML] Protect the rainbows.
James E. Capelle (jcapelle at gte.net)
Wed, 19 Feb 1997 06:19:53 -0500
Wildgrove Pty Ltd wrote:
>
> Some rainbowfish enthusiasts feel I have lost the plot. I am very afraid
> that AN.G.F.A., an association I helped form and about which I have
> pleasant memories, has lost the plot. They appear to believe that educating
> the public about native fish is the extent of their responsibility.
> Discovering, identifying and letting the public know about the fish and
> their location is great and A.N.G.F.A. has done much to give native fish
> recognition. But along with this public exposure and access must come a
> responsibility for the protection
> of what they have exposed.
>
> The politically correct discussions indulged in on the internet are
> interesting but offer no positive practical suggestions and consequent
> action to ensure the future well being of the fish. A.N.G.F.A. seems to
> believe that "Nothing can be done so it's no use trying. "We have
> recognized that there are problems and told people now it's up to someone
> else." is the attitude.
>
> Attempting to denigrate my interest in these fish to purely commercial is
> laughable. I have kept them for over 20 years and have yet to make a profit
> overall. I have shared any new varieties that have come into my possession
> immediately from the first breeding to ensure their survival and I
> maintain many varieties that will never be a commercial proposition.-
> Hardly the greed-driven hard-nosed commercial breeder image some would like
> to attribute to me.
>
> Maybe "Nothing can be done" but I am sure as hell going to try and I
> believe the real protection of the fish lies in hobbyist and more
> realistically commercial breeding of the fish. Our fish and river systems
> are potentially in trouble through pollution, translocations and
> indiscriminate commercial collecting. New Guinea faces similar problems.
>
> Government legislation is in place to attempt to combat these depredations
> but is being ignored by everybody so is ineffective. By our silence when we
> see people doing the wrong thing, we are protecting and therefore aligning
> ourselves with them. Wanting to do the right thing brands me as a stirrer
> and an out of control firecracker. If A.N.G.F.A's attitude to my
> resignation is "Good, we can do without the stirrers." then so be it. They
> can re-settle back into their scientific, intelligent, circular discussions
> and believe they are making a difference preaching to the converted. I
> would rather see you stirring to get the legislation right and workable,
> exposing, not just tut-tutting illegal and damaging practices and lobbying
> the government to get legal importation of New Guinea fishes so we can
> enjoy and contribute to the protection of New Guinea species which has so
> far only been possible through illegal imports. A.N.G.F.A.'s combined
> reputation carries more weight than the individual.
>
> Life happens gentlemen. I will go on doing my own thing.
>
> Gordon Hides
He does bring up some good points. I ve notice a trend lately in stores
in our area to start carrying Rainbowfish in one big tank with four or
five types in the same tank. Ask the store personnl if they could get
out a female or male(I could, just seeing if they could) and they'll
tell you they can not even tell you the different types names let alone
the sex. I am glad they are trying to carry the fish, but they have no
idea what they are doing. There are two store out of maybe ten in my
area that keep the types in their own tanks and try and sell pairs only.
I will and have only got fish from them. But he these have a few good
points(until he moves to stop the export altogether, then I'll be
upset). Just my two cents(not looking for change please). Jim C.