On Sat, 13 Jul 1996, CHRIS DREW wrote:
> Regarding illegal importation of fish: History has shown me one
> thing: human beans are arrogant and ultimately very stupid! Let the N.
> Am. experience stand as an example of just how devastating planned
> and unplanned introductions can be. Speculate all you will but, until
> the animal is introduced the consequences of said intro can not be
> totally forseen.
I agree 100% with this. Our NA fish fauna is a mess for just this reason
(along w/ habitat destruction, of course). I wish more of you would open
your eyes (charming as I am sure they all are :-) ) and pay attention to
the warning of what may be that this part of the globe presents you. If
you want studies funded (with very scarce gov't resources being what they
are these days) to DISprove any possibility of threats, then you all
should start thinking of ways to get them funded, IMHO, instead of
demanding that the evidence be shown you. If you love your native fishes
and their environs, then you really should start to think with more
caution before you bring in that one more fish that couldn't possibly be
any danger. _How do you know this??_ You don't, and niether do the
regulators, so they must use caution. If you want the fish, then _you_
the hobbiest, shopkeeper, etc. should be the one to find the money to
prove that the thing should be allowed. I sometimes wish that more of
that had been done here, esp w/ regards to sport species and mosquito
control fish that've caused so much damage to our natives here. Once the
damage is done, it's DAMN hard to undo. Cautious is the only way to be.
We Yanks are notoriously bad in that dept. Are you better? ;-)
> ps. that Hunter is the worst speller I've ever seen.
You're right on that one, Chris. Among other things... ;-)
Julie Zeppieri <><