What about a restricted species for inverts?

[myfishhadbabies]

There are hard to keep inverts too!

 

[BIGgourami]

again hard to keep or restricted?

octopus aren't restricted but hard to keep
same with things like harlequin shrimp

 

[BobbyG123]

same with things like harlequin shrimp

are they hard to keep because i no they eat star fish and about two years ago i had 1 starfish in my tank and theres like 1 million babys everywhere and i cant take them i wake up in the morning and my glass is filled with star fish lol i fig if i get one it can take care of that prob....whats there min tank size? are they reef safe?

 

[Moontanman]

Should something be restricted just because it's hard to keep? At one time corals were thought to be impossible but now they are cultivated in inland farms and actually cultivated for color and form much like some tropical fish. Giant clams were impossible now they are not only cultivated for aquariums they are grown commercially for their flesh. Hard to keep often just means we don't know how yet but the only way to learn is for advanced aquarium keepers to experiment and find out. Restricted should be for things that are endangered not just hard to keep.

 

[alcohologist]

Should something be restricted just because it's hard to keep? At one time corals were thought to be impossible but now they are cultivated in inland farms and actually cultivated for color and form much like some tropical fish. Giant clams were impossible now they are not only cultivated for aquariums they are grown commercially for their flesh. Hard to keep often just means we don't know how yet but the only way to learn is for advanced aquarium keepers to experiment and find out. Restricted should be for things that are endangered not just hard to keep.

ideally. we would be able to limit access of creatures to these aquarists. with inexperienced keepers buying [and wasting specimens of] hard to keep species, everyone loses.

 

[water_baby83]

ideally. we would be able to limit access of creatures to these aquarists. with inexperienced keepers buying [and wasting specimens of] hard to keep species, everyone loses.

Actually, Moontanman said Advanced, not inexperienced. Yes ideally, inexperienced keepers would be limited to what they could legally bring into their possession, but looking at both ends of the spectrum here, if beginners were so limited, then how would one graduate from a beginner to an advanced aquarist?
New technology today has made it possible to successfully breed a plethora of fresh and marine animals in captivity, and like Moontanman stated, corals are also being farmed and bred to be hardier to their environment, healthier overall, and more beautiful. Hybrids are also being created which further diversifies species.
While there are restrictions put into place on a number of species, I do agree that more stringent regulations would benefit our ocean's, and force more ethical and responsible practice into the hobby and industry as a whole if they were enacted.
The thing you must remember though is that even with highly advanced aquarists, who have the best technology at their disposal, and a top notch facility - there will still be losses. But the idea to science is that you sacrifice one for the good of them all. Of course this is a figurative statement because we all know that with scientific trial and error there is usually far more than a single life lost - BUT on that same note, look at what has come of that. Captive bred animals and aqua-cultured corals are making up more and more of the stock percentage nowadays than wild caught specimens are within the trade, and more and more individuals are becoming active in their pursuit of knowledge, and responsibility in this hobby - by researching on their own, becoming active in forums like this, documenting and sharing their "Trial & Errors", going the extra mile to ensure superior care, and really taking pride into growing/raising and reproducing/breeding their fish and corals.
There will always be a negative to any situation, but with our awareness now of the importance on ecological conservation and environmental fluctuations and instabilities caused primarily by man, more people are taking note, and doing what it takes to make sure that these resources are protected and insured for the future. Now while it would be best to never have to do that; to live in a world where we didn't rake seas clean in our greed, produce massive amounts of toxic and insoluble wastes, and place our lives' importance above the rest...... That simply doesn't look like its something that is going to change sufficiently enough within the next decade to provide any amount of reliability.
Instead, we have these advanced aquarists and scientists who are dedicating their time and energy into "Plan B" - which is being able to breed species in captivity, genetically engineer stronger, healthier, and more robust specimens, and learn as much as possible of all, so that not only the aquarium industry and hobby benefits, but if it ever came down to it, we will have the knowledge, experience, and specimens to re-populate decimated wild colonies and populations.

Edit - After re-reading your post, I believe you were stating that you agreed (that only advanced aquarists should have access to animals like this), my apologies. Nevertheless, my points have worth.