I like 3-4" high pill bottles to collect into, and often carry them in my
hand. I used to use one of the smaller net bags you can get in dive shops
to carry collecting equipment in (and larger shells, when I found them),
but was told on one dive that my bag was dragging on the coral. I
immediately discarded it and have since found (been given) a great bag
about 8" long made of heavy plastic mesh with velcro opening. It holds two
of my favorite containers, a glove, a zip lock bag or two, and a knife for
collecting chitons. I can also get a few shells in the bag along with all
that, and it doesn't drag badly. If I'm in shallow coral I flip it to my
back to keep it out of the way (it's on a belt).
 
I also use film cans, but not while collecting. I prefer Fuji film cans,
which are clear (or semi-opaque) and they're sometimes hard to open,
especially at depth with water pressure keeping them closed. However, these
film cans are about the only container I've found that are watertight, and
I put small shells in alcohol in them until I can get around to cleaning
them. Several film cans will fit in a small refrigerator box for transport
home.
 
One thing: when you're collecting into closed containers the first thing
you should do when you get in the water is fill each container with water
UNDERWATER so there are no air bubbles in them. Even a tiny bit of air will
cause the container to float out of your bag the first time you open it and
you may lose container, shells and all!
 
As for dive boat operators, it depends greatly on where you are planning to
dive. In resort areas, many operators will tell you it's against the law to
collect shells - but that may only be their law! In the Bahamas it's
against the law to collect anything on SCUBA but snorkeling is ok. Here in
the Sarasota area you can collect on SCUBA if you have a fishing license
(or if the boat captain has one) but you need to have a captain who's
willing to let you collect, and most of them here are. In Palm Beach,
however, it's harder to find a captain who'll let you collect. They get
paranoid that you're going to rape the reef or disturb the coral.
 
You should always check with the dive operation before you go to see that
you can collect LIVE shells as well as dead ones, and get it in writing
that you can show the captain and divemaster when the time comes. I've had
divemasters try to reverse the boss's permission at the last minute.
 
It helps to point out that shellers are especially observant of the
environment - possibly more so than most other divers, since we're looking
at minute areas instead of the big picture. Responsible shellers always
return rocks to their upright, original positions to preserve any creatures
living below them, try not to disturb coral (where few shells live anyway)
and leave marred specimens, juveniles, and shells laying or tending eggs
behind to reproduce.
 
I once visited a place where the divemaster was reluctant to allow me to
collect. After the first dive, I had a pill bottle with some great shells
in it - Latiaxis, chitons, muricids, etc - all less than 1" in length, and
two Xenophora, which amazed everyone. The divemaster put me off in a bay
after that dive, mentioning that I could swim in to shore and there are
Helmet shells there.
 
I think we should all try to improve the image of shellers in such people's
eyes as often as possible. Far more damage is done to the marine
environment by boat anchors, development, septic systems, beach
renourishment, etc, than be individual shellers. There's no way one shell
collector can impact much of a species' numbers - we just can't cover the
territory that well.
 
How did I get on this soapbox? I'll get off now.
 
Peggy Williams
 
                     http://www.mindspring.com/~shellelegant
                                  Peggy Williams
                                   Shell Elegant Tours
                 PO Box 575     *     Tallevast FL 34270
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