Okay, I yield Adrian. The prevalent situation between the hobbyist
community and both government and academia, is one of distrust. In fact,
that characterizes most of the relationship between professional aquariums
and the hobby as well.
Thank you Les!
The real winner here is dialogue, Its a pity there are not more academics
or should I say _Scientists_ like yourself that are willing to get involved
in these discussions - perhaps we have frightened them away. I believe
that there is room for both of us. I really don't see any change on the
horizon from Government Bodies but both academia and the aquarium community
can learn and co-operate with each other.
I am principally an aquarium hobbyist, but like many other aquarists, have
a genuine concern for many of our freshwater species and would like to
think that I can contribute something. My main interests are the
freshwater fishes of Australia & New Guinea but have a general interest in
all freshwater species.
As to your other points - The aquarium community can be split in two - (1)
Aquarists, who maintain and breed fishes for pleasure, remuneration or
profit and (2) Fishkeepers, who only maintain fishes. The latter group
forms the major section of the aquarium community. While you have this
large group, there will always be a market for captive and/or wild caught
fishes. So I think that if your program gets off the ground in Africa it
should succeed. But you will never stop the trade between Aquarists. Also
remember that todays fishkeeper may be tomorrows Academic Aquarist ;-)
I also do not see anything wrong with endangered species being bred in
large numbers and distributed through the general hobby market providing
the original Aquarists still keep their stocks intact. As per my closing
remark in the last paragraph, how can we expect Fishkeepers to become
Aquarists if we stop them from maintaining rare or endangered species.
Remember these species will only be rare or endangered in the wild - not
in captivity. This could also provide a source of income for the Aquarist
to maintain rare and endangered species - just a thought!
Have a happy day!
Adrian Tappin.