As part of the NANFA bylaws, responsible collecting/sampling is called for. In the case of SOSC, I think that the organization should help the membership identify what responsible behavior is. I think the stand should be properly researched and the conclusions be presented to the membership and then published. NANFA is not just an organization of hobbyists (I hope) but an organization that is committed to maintaining biodiversity and ecological excellence and all that means. A moratorium on collecting a SOSC should be issued only after the species has met certain NANFA criteria that have been agreed upon by the membership. That criteria should include (but not limited to):
Adherence to existing laws of each state
Reflect the Goals of NANFA
Reflect the bylaws of NANFA
Reflect the consensus of the NANFA membership (boy is that a tough one!)
I know that we get in heated arguments over the role of government, environmental laws etc. Nongame Fish are our passion. Who better to sound out with a united voice on issues regarding the objects of our passions. We also need to decide, at some point, whether we would prefer to see the fish in our aquariums or in nature.
John
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