Government regulations on large fish

[cyclura]

If the Government starts regulating fish they will not stop with just the 3 or 4 species that are to large for most people to own. Just look at exotic animals that USDA and FWS regulate they typically look at an animal and then regulate or ban the Whole group. Most states did not just ban reticulated or burmese pythons they banned all constrictors including 4' ball pythons. Washington state was looking at banning large primates and decided it was easier to ban all primates, including a 1lb pygmy marmoset. It is never better to have the Government get involved, I now have 5 CBW permits to keep harmless reptiles and lemurs.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Ban them all!

Snakeheads have over run the Potomac.

I will not go into who were the responsible parties for the viable breeding populations of the Northern Snakehead in the Maryland waterways. Here is a wealth of research put together and the first draft of the "management" plan for the invasive species.

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/maryla...anagement Plan for the Northern Snakehead.pdf


Again I stress that I am not pointing the finger at any group especially the Monster Fish Keepers.

With that said, I will say with the most serious ire that I can muster that it was NOT Maryland Fishermen (Recreational or Commercial) that share a shred of blame for the massive challenge that the guilty group(s) have caused.

I simply cannot fathom how "responsible Monster Fish Keepers" can feel good about the legal penalties up to and including imprisonment imposed upon we Maryland recreational fishermen for the "catastrophic" invasion caused entirely by others.

Wow, just wow. I love how it is AOK with the board (except for me and two other votes to ban) to shirk your responsibilities off on other groups when you fail miserable!

It is darn near as serious of an offense to fish for our favorite "toothless mouth" game fish Morone saxatilis, accidentally hook a Channa argus and cut our fishing line not wanting to risk bodily injury, as it is to just import the darn things and release them into the waterways ourselves.

Why must Humans always insist on myopia in every aspect of life and refuse to accept responsibility in any? It would seem to me to be counter productive to the extreme not allowing the sale of the (non-live) invasive snakehead meat in the supermarkets.

1. Create a market for the food product establishing demand.
2. Make the sale of Channa argus meat extremely affordable yet profitable in the mainstream food chains.
3. Turn the commercial fishing fleet loose on the supply and watch the Channa argus population dwindle and become manageable.

Simple as ABC, yet the best approach to the MD. government seems to be imprison recreational fishermen for the mess others create.

Commercial gill netters take too many striped bass from the Chesapeake, No problem, shorten on cancel the hook and line season for the recreational fishermen. I do so love them!

 

[crash83]

Can't speak on the government issue..Don't really agree.
However when I had my pet store I was amazed buy how many people came in wanting a particular fish and yet knew nothing about them.
I was there during the beginning of banning snakeheads, they were pretty popular in my area.
I remember going to a customers house to set up a new 75 gallon tank for his piranha when I saw he had a 20 gallon long with 2 12" redline snake heads crammed in there.
I couldn't believe it. I offered him 100 bucks on the spot.He took it. I put them in my 180 gallon display tank.
I had customer cram 20 or so piranha in a 40 or 55 gallon tanks.
So my partner and I upped our trade in policy and really paid attention to educating our customers.
Before long we had people coming from states away.We become known as a very reputable store specializing in oddballs and cichlids.
I can honestly say we only ordered one arapaima ,and only after seeing this guys amazing set up...[Guy still has him to this day].
Arows , clown knifes, pacu, and gars we would try to inform potential buyers and help them make the right choice.

 

[MonsterMinis]

If the Government starts regulating fish they will not stop with just the 3 or 4 species that are to large for most people to own. Just look at exotic animals that USDA and FWS regulate they typically look at an animal and then regulate or ban the Whole group. Most states did not just ban reticulated or burmese pythons they banned all constrictors including 4' ball pythons. Washington state was looking at banning large primates and decided it was easier to ban all primates, including a 1lb pygmy marmoset. It is never better to have the Government get involved, I now have 5 CBW permits to keep harmless reptiles and lemurs.

Exactly... why people think this wouldn't happen to the fish trade is ridiculous....

 

[screaminleeman]

Exactly... why people think this wouldn't happen to the fish trade is ridiculous....

Size is not a prerequisite to an effective non native invasive fish species negatively affecting our ecosystem. I am just thankful that the Candiru hasn't turned up in the tributaries of the Chesapeake (yet!)

 

[MN_Rebel]

Size is not a prerequisite to an effective non native invasive fish species negatively affecting our ecosystem. I am just thankful that the Candiru hasn't turned up in the tributaries of the Chesapeake (yet!)

I doubt that Candiru can survive in the waters of United States and even if they do, they rarely attacks the humans. It's a freak case that fish ended up inside the man. Research is your friend.

The biggest problem is that no one do their research (both government and hobbyists) then their actions/mistakes has hurt our hobbies (and some businesses).