Dear Paolo,

Most of the information given by you concerning collecting molluscs in
Israel is correct except for one thing: 50 % of the collected material has
to go to an institute in Israel. Israel has only two recognized National
Mollusc Collections: one is at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the other
is part of the Tel Aviv University. I happen to be the curator of both
collections: at the HUJ for the last 30 years and at the TAU for the last
two years. None of these institutes have received any material from
licensed-collectors via the Nature Reserves Authority (now the Israel Nature
and National Parks Protection Authority). I have received from the NRA (now
INNPPA) mollusc material which had been confiscated in shops, at the borders
(especially near Taba), etc.
My own opinion concerning the current restrictions in shell collecting in
Israel is clear from the title of a note which has just been published:
Mienis, H.K., 2002. Israel's conservation law interferes with cooperation
between amateur collectors and scientific institutions. Tentacle, 10: 12.

Best regards,

Henk K. Mienis
Curator National Mollusc Collections at the HUJ and TAU

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----- Original Message -----
From: bib8543 <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: nice stories


> I will tell you about my experience with Israel: some
> time ago I asked information about shelling there.  As
> it has been confirmed on this list too, in Israel you
> can't collect any species anywhere.  I think this is a
> very good example of an excessive ban.  Moreover, I
> asked to local authorities if and how a permit could be
> obtained.
> The answer was that I could apply for a permit if I was
> working on the behalf of an istitution.  This
> practically cuts off most if not all of the private
> collectors.
> Moreover, half (yes, I said half) of the collected
> material should be sent to an israeli institution.
> I think this is a very good way of avoiding collecting
> in Israel and at the same time a good way to avoid
> knowledge of israeli shells and contacts with local
> collectors: how many times in the occasion of a trip
> somewhere you get in touch with local collectors and
> make new friends?
> Moreover the israeli malacofauna is interesting because
> of many lessepsian migrants into the Mediterranean.
>
> Thanks,
> Paolo
>
> Paolo Giulio ALBANO
> Bologna, ITALY
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>