> At 09:11 AM 3/18/96 -0700, Peter Unmack wrote:
>
> (chomp)
> >Unfortunately, few aquarists ever venture into the field, and most are
> >interested in fishes from outside the confines of their country.
>
> I can vouch for this. The local fishes are rarely given the same priority as
> the 'exotics'. It's like that old saw about the further an expert is from
> his/her point of origin, the greater the respect they will get at a
> lecture/trial/whatever. I don't know of anyone who is keeping our local
> montane species, even if they are into Australian natives (which quite a few
> people are 'round here). Does anyone have any suggestions to remedy this?
I think that the only way one can begin to remedy this is to get
aquarists out in the field. How many people ever check out what fish
occur in the creek that passes through there own backyard? More
aquarists need to experience looking at fish through something other
than a glass aquarium. One needs to try and organise a legally
acceptable local field trip to collect or view local native fishes (fish
watching is one of the most under rated forms of enjoying fish, but it
can be incredibly educational and enjoyable). Within a club special
awards could be set up for people who breed local native fishes
(providing they were collected and kept legally) and especially for
those who maintain the fish over several generations and publish their
observations on the fish (otherwise the significant benefits of this
undertaking are largely lost). It is important to stress that
once aquarists begin to go beyond the law they lose considerable
credibility. Persistance and patience with local authorities will
usually pay off.
Hooroo
Peter