Sounds to me like they are singling out some species that might be
targeted by/for  the commercial aquarium trade - Nassarius snails are
popular saltwater tank scavengers and cleaners,  many are advertised
as such for sale  online; file clams are popular for the spectacular
live animal, i suspect nudibranchs would fall into this category as
well....

On 11/30/18, Dan Teven <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I wrote the FWC about the issue and did receive a written response from
> Mason Smith, a biologist in the Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
> ([log in to unmask])
>
> The most interesting part of his response is that the FWC has a narrow,
> statutory definition of 'Marine Life' that isn't what you think.  Smith
> wrote "The Marine Life rule does include a small number of mollusks (such as
> Nassarius snails, nudibranchs, fileclams, and some Octopods) but the
> majority of mollusks would not be affected by a Marine Life collection
> prohibition."  I can't fathom why mud snails are singled out for protection,
> but I could live without collecting them, and I'm not going to collect
> shell-less mollusks either.
>
> The second most interesting part of this response is that, should the
> collecting ban be enacted, "there may still be collection allowed for
> limited activities, such as research, through the Commission's Special
> Activity License (SAL) program."  It would behoove all you lucky Florida
> shell clubs to see if you can get blanket permits for your members to do
> that kind of collecting, or at least make it a routine thing.
>
> Good luck!  And come see us if you need mud snails.
>
> Dan Teven
> President, Boston Mal Club
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vicky Wall
>> Sent: Nov 29, 2018 4:42 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] UPDATE Collecting ban at Blue Heron Bridge
>>
>> Thank you Carole, for all your work on this case. I wish I could attend
>> the meeting.....I did send in my emails and hope others did too. Having
>> even a few people at the meeting can make a difference. Years ago there
>> were plans to allow an asphalt plant in my town, right on the Mayo River.
>> A few of us made the meeting but with the information we had, that was all
>> it took....the town council did not approve the construction. I hope
>> similar good results will come from this hearing.
>> Vicky Wall
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 29, 2018 at 9:19 AM Carole Marshall
>> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Conch-L members,
>>> The hearing on the restriction on collecting at the Blue Heron Bridge
>>> will be in St. Augustine on December 12. If anyone can make it, I hope
>>> you will. I am getting conflicting information on this. One faction says
>>> it is ONLY to do with aquarium collections, or commercial endeavors. One
>>> says complete collecting will be stopped. I am going and plan to be ready
>>> to speak if a complete ban is proposed. The photographers who are pushing
>>> for this, because of a small collection made by Moody Aquarium, are
>>> planning to be there in large numbers and I am told, even wearing special
>>> shirts.
>>> For those of you not familiar with this area, the Blue Heron Bridge is
>>> located in close proximity to Peanut Island, Riviera Beach, Florida. If
>>> you look at a map of Florida, the part that is the furthest east is about
>>> where it is.
>>> The reason it is an important molluscan area is it is basically where the
>>> Carolinian Province and the Caribbean Province meet. (Not sure they are
>>> still calling them that anymore). There are species such as the northern
>>> Divalinga quadrisulcata and the southern Divarisella dentata co-existing.
>>> It is one of the few places that both Strombus alatus and Strombus
>>> pugilus live and the area has many endemics and possibly more to be
>>> discovered. Home of at least 25 type localities for new species.
>>> I really do not care that much about the tropical fish ban, but my
>>> concern is this area may become a no take zone for mollusks as well.
>>> The photographers, while well meaning, do not have a grip on the damage a
>>> ban would do to future research. This area was explored by Ted Bayer, the
>>> McGinty Brothers, Axel Olsson, Bea Winner, Ed Petuch, Pilsbry, Paula
>>> Mikkelsen, and Jeanne Schwengel among others. Collections from this area
>>> are in UF, ANSP FAU, USNM and many other museums. It is an important area
>>> for study as it was a fresh water Lake until 1905 when an inlet was cut
>>> to form the Port of Palm Beach. It is also, thankfully, close to the Gulf
>>> Stream and odd little species are often coming in. It is also thankfully
>>> a resilient area.
>>> Another reason I am not for this ban: the area is constantly dredged by
>>> the Port Authority, who silts up the area so badly it is a wonder
>>> anything lives there. In addition it is yearly inundated with fresh water
>>> when a hurricane is imminent. Both of these occurrences  will kill more
>>> fish, mollusks and everything else than a thousand collectors. Of course,
>>> there is my own bias that any county that has beach re-nourishment should
>>> not be allowed to have a collecting ban, but that is just my opinion.
>>> Below is some additional information. Let me know if you are going so I
>>> can look for you. Wear your favorite shell shirt, not exactly a concerted
>>> effort like the photographers, but it will have to do.
>>> Thank you,
>>> Carole Marshall
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>> E-mail me and I will send you my cell number or you can get it from the
>>> COA membership roster.
>>>
>>> According to Tom Reinert of the FWC, the BHB Preservation issue will be
>>> on the agenda the morning of December 12. We recommend you make
>>> reservations for the night of Dec 11 and leave following our discussion.
>>> The bigger our group, the bigger the impact!  This will be at the World
>>> of Golf Renaissance, St. Augustine Resort, 500 S. Legacy Trail, St.
>>> Augustine, Fl. 32092. I have been told this matter will be second on the
>>> agenda. I will be staying at the Days Inn about 5 miles away as it is
>>> only about $49 a night as opposed to the $165 at the Golf Renaissance.
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