Outraged!!!

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by Myka

As a hobbyist you never know, that's just such an open statement that it is kinda ridiculous.

It is when you take it out of context, not so much when you read what went along with it.

[Leah]

Originally Posted by jorjef

No, I just yell at them as I watch them fall....There is nothing "right" about being in this hobby, no thinking we're ethical just because we rally about the extremes in the industry either good or bad. We still keep captured wild animals in a small glass box. If a person has a problem with the way the industry is they should leave the hobby rather than support it.

Oh so true...if you think that we are not a part of the whole problem, think again.

[jtbadco]

I agree completely.

Human beings are the direct causes of alot of problems on earth, especially where the environment is involved, and admittedly in the aquarium hobby.

However, the only way to ever change anything is for someone to start with one thing. To speak the truth and trust that responsible people can make intelligent choices.

I also fully believe that having home aquariums can be beneficial to the wild,...if we can mandate responsibility in the industry.
There has been a huge move in SW towards tank bred corals and fish, driven by an aquarium trade that at least acknowledges that we are better off not removing species from the wild.

[Leah]

Originally Posted by jtbadco

I agree completely.

Human beings are the direct causes of alot of problems on earth, especially where the environment is involved, and admittedly in the aquarium hobby.

However, the only way to ever change anything is for someone to start with one thing. To speak the truth and trust that responsible people can make intelligent choices.

I also fully believe that having home aquariums can be beneficial to the wild,...if we can mandate responsibility in the industry.
There has been a huge move in SW towards tank bred corals and fish, driven by an aquarium trade that at least acknowledges that we are better off not removing species from the wild.

How is it beneficial to the wild?

[jtbadco]

The only way to have a positive effect is by increasing awareness.

I believe that home aquariums bring a piece of the ocean into our homes where we can teach our family and children the value of life and the benefits of preserving wildlife. Would each individual fish or critter be better off in their original environment,...of course. But bringing in animals responsibly, in proper numbers as not to deplete natural sources helps to make these animals 'real' for people. People can only form so much attachment watching things on TV or in pictures. Seeing it up close has I'm sure has engendered lots of support from new sources.

That is why the industry is regulated and monitored,...and cases like this get prosecuted.
I can't change everything and I am certainly no saint, but I'd like to think that if we all did just a little bit we could probably make things alot better.