The main reason why biologists are concerned is because people can rarely
follow simple guidelines such as not releasing fish into the wild irrespective
of where they have come from. Aquarists should never release fish, even back
into where they came. Furthermore, accidents happen, fish from one area get
put into a pond, a flood comes along and they are liberated into local
waterways. These issues apply equally well to anywhere in the world.
As far as I am concerned I don't think aquarists collecting fish for the home
aquarium has any impact on local populations unless that particular species is
rare and numbers removed are large (>50). That comment assumes the fish
collected never make it back into the wild.
Cheers
Peter J Unmack peter.unmack at asu.edu
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DESERT FISHES RULE: To boldly thrive where no other fish can make it!
Desert Springs Action Committee at http://www.tkphotos.com/dsac/
Desert Fishes Council http://www.utexas.edu/depts/tnhc/.www/fish/dfc
Australian Desert Fishes as above just add australi or click on Australia
Australian Freshwater Fish Biogeography at http://www.peter.unmack.net/biogeog
North American Native Fishes Association at http://www.nanfa.org
Native Fish Australia at http://www.nativefish.asn.au
Aquatic Conservation Network at http://www.acn.ca
"The biggest cause of trouble in the world today is that the stupid
people are so sure about things and the intelligent folks are so full
of doubts." -Bertrand Russell
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