Weekly Discussion -Reef Clubs- are they fooling themselves?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the direct reply Tom!

 

[MaryHM]

I don't get why a club has to support one or the other at the risk of being hypocritical. I support overseas coral farms and purchase from them when possible. I also import wild corals on a regular basis. I don't think that I am being hypocritical by bringing in both types. Captive propagation is just another aspect of the hobby- like nano-reefs. A different approach to doing things. One can say that they support the idea of captive propagation and still purchase wild caught frags. For example take the California Governor's race (please!! ). I support the platform of Tom McClintock, however I will be voting for Arnold. It's not feasible to think that McClintock is going to win, so I'm going for the next best thing. It's not feasible to assume every single hobbyist wants to pursue their hobby in the same way- via captive propagated animals. Frankly, it limits what a hobbyist can have at this point. How would a club who "mandated" captive propagation handle a new member who wants to do a FO tank? Tell them to only have clowns and some gobies or get out??

 

[Anonymous]

I suppose if you stated in your charter you are dedicated to propgating your own corals, learning about reef ecology and preservation that's great - strive for that. Many clubs I have been involved in only get a good turn out when 'free stuff' is offered regardless of the hobby/dispensation. You will always have your hardcore few and a bunch of hangers one - the club I am involved in is trying to get a large (300+ gallon) greenhouse tank set up for propogating corals - will it work? Who knows - only a few people really interested at the moment - I can respect not everyone being as into reefing as I am.

Some people want to learn more about the hobby, some just want cheap stuff, some want to save the reefs - I want to do some of each and my hope is people will realize it's not just cool stuff in a box - it's living things that may very well dissapear entirely in our lifetimes if we don't learn more and find a way to preserve these habitats. Most people are clueless about how much pressure coral reef ecosystems are under worldwide - I try and give them the condensed spiel to get them excited about it and of course - they want free stuff. Oh well, the one or two people I do motivate out of 100 I talk to are worth it. Ending this hobby will do nothing to save the reefs IMO and may actually lessen the value of them in many countries owning this precious resource - that doesn't mean we can't be ethical and strive to advance both captive propogation and conservation of wild stocks.

If anyone is interested I am giving a talk tomorrow for one of our local clubs on Nano-reefs anyone in the south/central Texas area is welcome to come on by just visit their web site at www.maast.org .

 

[Anonymous]

I don't get why a club has to support one or the other at the risk of being hypocritical.

I don't think it is. However, from the outside,members salavating over new wild caught animals at the LFS seems to take something away from the push of propagated animals. Kinda like a car club that advocates hybrids and electrics, but most of the members drive Hummers.

<Sump warning>

I support the platform of Tom McClintock, however I will be voting for Arnold. It's not feasible to think that McClintock is going to win, so I'm going for the next best thing.

And that is why we will always have to choose the next best thing instead of what we want. :wink: </Sump warning> :mrgreen:

It's not feasible to assume every single hobbyist wants to pursue their hobby in the same way- via captive propagated animals.

I completely agree.

Frankly, it limits what a hobbyist can have at this point.

Agreed, but I am not sure that is necessarily a bad thing. But then again, I am the guy who thing gas should cost 5-10 bucks a gallon.

How would a club who "mandated" captive propagation handle a new member who wants to do a FO tank? Tell them to only have clowns and some gobies or get out??

Absolutely. If you had a club that mission statement included 'in an effort to protect the envoirnment, all members must only keep captive raised animals' then people wanting not to do that shouldn't even try to join the club.