I just read the agenda item for the jville meeting. The draft deals with the fwc definition of marine life which pertains to saltwater aquarium species. The few marine shells in that def do not change.
I have given many talks on the marine life rule which does not have much effect on specimen shell collecting. I strongly suggest you fellow collectors read the FAC rule on marine life. If they choose to make Blue heron closed for collecting aquarium species it doesn’t mean you are prohibited from collecting other species. Doug Thompson, Capt. Retired FMP/FWC
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 30, 2018, at 9:51 AM, steve rosenthal <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> 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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