Speaking of blowing the whistle...

[JT]

A certain LAX wholesaler was allegedly shut down for several hours a couple weeks ago for posessing illegal species. They were apparently visited by USFWS, California F&G, and local police.

I have emailed the 'suspect' directly inquiring about the truth to this matter but they refuse to acknowledge my inquiries. Does no reply imply guilt? Maybe. However, they still try to court my business on a weekly basis. Heh.

When will some people ever learn (or give up)?

- Uncle Pot Stirrer

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a rumor, got a link?

 

[naesco]

To all the USFWS officers that often peruse this forum, a big thank you.

It is only through the threat and follow up prosecution that industry will learn from each others misdeeds. They know the species, and which species are illegal.



Wayne

 

[Kalkbreath]

To all the USFWS officers that often peruse this forum, a big thank you.
They know the species, and which species are illegal.



Wayne

Funny you worded it that way........it may or may not be the case here Naesco........in this event, the officers seized a dead Australian cat shark out of the wholesalers dumpster so they could take it back to the lab for identification. :roll:

 

[JT]

Sounds like a rumor, got a link?

No link, hence why I said "allegedly" and didn't "name names". However, I heard it from several different people in LA (none connected to one another) so something must of happened. What that something is was probably twisted and spun into the story that reached me though, that's how gossip works. I did try to confirm it, before coming here, with the "accussed" but he refuses to comment.

I do find it quite rude, however, that this person refuses to answer my emails about it yet says he wants to be my "friend" and continues to use his minions to try and whore product to me every week.

Gotta love the soap opera that this industry is. :wink:

- Uncle JT

 

[dizzy]

I think a certain wholesaler got raided. It was apparently part of the leopard shark sting. I heard they sent in plenty of officers, but came away empty handed. I guess they took the dead catshark hoping it was an illegal leopard. If nothing was found then why are you spreading rumors about it? The wholesaler in question came out clean. Give them a brake.

 

[clarionreef]

Wayne wrote;

They know the species, and which species are illegal.

They couldn't instantly tell a catshark from a leopard???? :roll: :roll:
Dumpster diving for sharks...? Did they go down with a plastic fish I.D. card in hand?
Steve
I know lots of USFWS guys and their educational backgrounds tend more towards ornithology and mammalogy.

 

[JT]

Ifnothing was found then why are you spreading rumors about it? The wholesaler in question came out clean. Give them a brake.

I'm not spreading rumors, I'm asking questions to prove or refute the rumors. I've heard one version of the story and inquiring as to what others have heard.

Much like crack houses and registered sex offenders, I think the industry should be made aware of when suppliers get raided, or busted, for illegal activity. Especially repeat offenders. I don't think stores should continue to support distributors who are habitual offenders of improperly imported livestock.

You should see how some LAX wholesalers encourage exporters to pack corals in attempt to circumvent CITES numbers. But that's a story for another day.

- Uncle Curious

 

[JT]

Theyknow the species, and which species are illegal.

Hardly. About all that USFWS can properly, accurately, ID is the difference between a Dory fish and a Nemo fish. USFWS agents across the country have had very little training in marine fish/invert species identification. This was especially the case when I worked in Chicago but I have also witnessed gross incompetance when I was in LA as well.

- Uncle JT

 

[clarionreef]

The "expert" on corals in the LAX area for many years told me that he/she couldn't ID the coral unless it was closed...
That particular agent always had the Veron atlas on the frontseat of the car....but is now working in Washington D.C.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Theyknow the species, and which species are illegal.

Hardly. About all that USFWS can properly, accurately, ID is the difference between a Dory fish and a Nemo fish. USFWS agents across the country have had very little training in marine fish/invert species identification. This was especially the case when I worked in Chicago but I have also witnessed gross incompetance when I was in LA as well.

- Uncle JT

Your not far off with SF's new agents. Even our old ones weren't the best at ID'ing. The new ones, last year, couldn't even open a PI box to save thier lives. They just cut it top to bottom and slid the box sideways to get it out. They'd also roll them off the pallet. The airlines at leat usually don't do that in front of you, but USF&WS does and doesn't care if you see it!

 

[naesco]

Wayne wrote;

They know the species, and which species are illegal.

They couldn't instantly tell a catshark from a leopard???? :roll: :roll:
Dumpster diving for sharks...? Did they go down with a plastic fish I.D. card in hand?
Steve
I know lots of USFWS guys and their educational backgrounds tend more towards ornithology and mammalogy.

Steve I meant the importers not the officers.
They can't plead that they did not know it was a leopard.
Anyway it is good to know that at least those industry posters here have the guts to turn any alleged criminals and support an end to outrage.

I am surprised though that the majority here say the officers are ignorant.
As they read these posts, they will be offended by your companies comments.

 

[Anonymous]

Dontchya think no one would bring in Leopards for a while after the last bust :roll: It's like doing one of those hooker stings in front of the future johns and expecting to get another right then. Come on people, have some more street smarts then this and wait a while :lol: What ever happened to Sunny and Crocket? At least they'd know what to do 8O

 

[clarionreef]

WAYNE,
YOU HAVE TO ADMIT THAT THE WHISTLE BLOWING ON THIS INDUSTRY ALWAYS COMES FROM INSIDE THIS INDUSTRY.
Scroll down this poster page and see leopard shark fishery.
Scroll down 4 years worth !
Scroll down for discussion about CDT, sustainability, training, 20 years of NGO histories, village dispositions to change,hobby demand or lack of, eco-labeling, USL, etc. etc.
Where else will you see it?
Being privy to hi-level discussions on every subject and every facet...I can tell you that the no holds barred better discussions and dissections of issues is here.
The lack of politics and protocols here have freed us to proceed where everywhere else they are handicapped and hamstrung by market questions and watch your own *ss notions.
This is where you and others come to learn to attack the industry...[ along with us!] from the ammo we hand out freely as proof of it already being adressed!

Mixing science, social development and this industrys intersection of it all is not found elsewhere by people from all three areas.
We have our freaks...but we are unique!
Steve

 

[clarionreef]

I know lots of USFWS guys and their educational backgrounds tend more towards ornithology and mammalogy...
This is an empiracle observation Wayne from 25 years of dealing w/ them. Not a name calling thing.
My most respected friend and monitor in the USFWS just retired and he would not be offended by the observation. He would confirm it.
Steve

 

[nanocat]

OK, someone enlighten me please...if the sharks are illegal and someone got interested enough to go do a site visit, how is it that those bluespotted jawfish are still being sold?

I'm not an industry insider (just a hobbiest) and I really don't get how this gets overlooked? I mean they even advertise them online? :?:

 

[Anonymous]

'shark' gets better air/media play than 'bluespotted jawfish' :wink:

 

[sdcfish]

Just reading this post and thought I would chime in our experience.

Sea Dwelling Creatures was "raided" or what they called a "routine" visit...but I knew and felt it was much more then "routine". I wasn't sure what they were looking for, but when they were very interested in a dead bamboo cat shark, it became obvious that they were looking for leopard sharks.

This really surprised me as we would be the last company in the world to try and take such a risk on this well known illegal fish. I would say we are one of the more "obvious" wholesalers in LA. After talking to the officers, it was also apparent that someone had "tipped them off" to us and I am sure that we were said to have leopard sharks. Nice try competiton

This isn't the first time we have been made out to look bad or just somebody gealous trying to cause trouble for us, but no harm done, just a 20 minute walk around and hosting some of the gov'ts finest around the shop looking at fish.

I found the officers to be very friendly, interested in our business and the livestock. After shaking hands and passing out business cards, I do hope the message is loud and clear that illegal trading will not go without notice....and it is not a fair business tactic to other "clean" companies that some would profit from illegal fish trading.

Although I thought all this leopard shark business was long gone, I guess there are some still lurking in the shadows......but a few less after last week's indictments.

Best regards

Eric - a happy and "clean" wholesaler

 

[dizzy]

Being in the fish biz is wasting your talent Eric. You oughta be in politics.

 

[JT]

Thanks Eric for the post.

- Uncle JT