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A somewhat stupid question about regulations - international sale/purchase of endangered species


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6 replies to this topic

#1 Robert Lamb

Robert Lamb
  • NANFA Member
  • Chattanooga, TN

Posted 05 April 2020 - 09:35 AM

I already feel the answer is likely to be no, but I want to ask to be sure. I found some offerings of pairs of Crenichthys from the UK. Would it be legal to buy and keep these if I have documentation that these are from an aquacultured population outside the US?

 

 



#2 Jconte

Jconte
  • NANFA Member
  • Quincy Illinois

Posted 05 April 2020 - 12:23 PM

It may or not be legal, as I am not an attorney, but it seems unethical to me

#3 Robert Lamb

Robert Lamb
  • NANFA Member
  • Chattanooga, TN

Posted 05 April 2020 - 02:32 PM

Why would it be unethical? Aquaculture is sometimes the best defense against a fish's extinction. Taking part in that, the way many people do with with many CARES species and others, doesn't seem unethical in the slightest to me.

#4 Jconte

Jconte
  • NANFA Member
  • Quincy Illinois

Posted 05 April 2020 - 04:09 PM

You’re giving financial incentive for people to collect endangered species. Yes, aquaculture by academic/scientific institutions may be part of an effort to save a species but to my knowledge these institutions are not selling offspring to anyone willing to pay. It sounds to me that you have found someone willing to make a buck by collecting or otherwise trading in endangered species. If that doesn’t bother you, then I suggest that you contact an attorney licensed to practice in Tennessee as there are federal and state regulations concerning such matters.

Just my two cents.

#5 Robert Lamb

Robert Lamb
  • NANFA Member
  • Chattanooga, TN

Posted 05 April 2020 - 07:10 PM

It doesn't bother me because in the European and Asian fish trade, crenichthys is bred often (and is easy to breed) and is commonly available over there, along with species like the desert pupfish, which are available just about everywhere else in the world other than the US. I somehow doubt these people are smuggling out hundreds or even thousands of fish from their protected habitats. I would not dream of encouraging the capture of wild specimens and would certainly never consider buying one that was.

#6 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
  • Forum Staff
  • Ohio

Posted 06 April 2020 - 11:18 AM

You seem to have a fascination with rare and endangered fish species. I will suggest again that you contact CFI. https://www.conservationfisheries.org/

 

Volunteer, apply, go to events, CFI groupie, whatever. This is your best bet to get an introduction into this world.

 

Laws exist to prevent trade in fishes that are imperiled. Unfortunately they also prevent a very viable method of arking these species. It is a fine line at the precipice of a slippery slope. Align yourself with those who are doing this above board if you want to make a difference.

 

I am certain that importing pupfish won't be legal. That aside, the health inspections would likely be cost prohibitive on a species that you wouldn't be able to sell offspring from. Which really is the entire point of these laws.


The member formerly known as Skipjack


#7 Robert Lamb

Robert Lamb
  • NANFA Member
  • Chattanooga, TN

Posted 06 April 2020 - 05:52 PM

I will definitely contact them. Thanks for the input, I expected that would be the case. In the meantime until I am able to work with the endangered ones legally, I will settle for Crenichthys baileyi moapae (if I can get some) which is apparently not endangered and legal to keep.




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