Reef Rights - Review the petition

[sdcfish]

http://www.reefcheck.org/petition/petition.php

Thanks everyone for your review and participation.

Best regards,

 

[Anonymous]

Doesn't the pledge part:

Not to Disturb, Damage or collect corals and other reef organisms

part stop most of the people who read this site from signing?

 

[Anonymous]

Good thing Eric is not responsible for any collection of corals.... :lol: I like it other than that part. Should read "Sustainable Harvest" or somethin

 

[sdcfish]

I am asking Gregor from Reefcheck to comment on the thread. Let's get some dialogue going.....thanks guys.

 

[Reef Check HQ]

Hi folks,

Good point. The line in the Declaration regarding collecting is aimed at individual waders, divers and snorklers.

Obviously RC has been publicly supporting sustainable collection of reef organisms for many years, in particular for the marine aquarium trade and having a Board member from the trade is a reflection of our commitment. It is important to understand that we have really stuck our neck out on this and have alienated many potential supporters who do not agree with our approach.

What we can do to clarify this is to include some additional notes at the bottom. We are also in the process of strenthening the description of what we are doing wtih the marine aquarium trade. We now have some great news to report wiht six new MPAs set up in the Philippines this year and 7 more in line in Indonesia -- showing that the sustainable trade can be used as an incentive for conservation.

Thanks for pointing out this problem with the Declaration. Greg

 

[pyrrhus]

"Don’t start a live rock aquarium.
Although this living rock is still harvested legally in some places, its collection is devastating to the reef organisms’ habitat."

As a retailer, I will find it difficult to support RC while they hold this stance.

 

[oldgrayhair]

Yeah, I don't see this getting too far. We know that land based, dry rock harvesting is not good...or renewable. We know that live rock is renewable.

Best of luck, OGH