Are there any species that are protected by law?  The CITES index only shows
the Tridacnids.  What resources would be able to tell me about particular
bannings or protection laws on shell species trade in particular
Indo/Pacific nations?  I assume that if CITES only lists the Tridacnids that
anything else is free for the taking and free for import/export.

Thanks again for all the input... You're all a really great resource in and
of yourselves as a group.

-James

><)));>   ><)));>   ><)));>   ><)));>   ><)));>   ><)));>   ><)));>
><)));>   ><)));>

                     James C. Frank
                     Marine Science Major - The University of South Carolina
                     Aquarist - Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, SC
                     http://mudflat.geol.sc.edu/~jcfrank
                     [log in to unmask]
                     (803)544-2683


----- Original Message -----
From: Robert & Betty Lipe <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: Target species...


> James, I'm one of those people that make a living with seashells.  I
> just want to say that I know a lot of the mollusk are used for food.  I
> wished they all could be, but not so.  Anyway, We have about 12
> different Scallops in our bins that are used for food, and then for
> craft.  The Livona pica "Magpie" in the Caribbean are used for food and
> then the shells are sent to Mexico to be polished and sent back to the
> states to sell in shops.  More of these food shells are being done this
> way now.  In the Bahamas not only do you see large piles of pink conchs,
> but many discared Livona pica.
>
> One word to Mr Gupta.  I think the Cassis cornuta is protected now.
> Tom, do you know if any of the shells that you mentioned are eaten?  And
> Paul you mentioned many shells but no mention of a food supply.  What
> shell animals do you think are eaten out of your large list.  I know
> that many are.  I am told the the Large Murex ramosus out of Thailand
> are eaten.  I can't prove it.
>
> There is a need for some control on shells and shelling, but the way
> it's going, people in high places that don't know and haven't done much
> research are placing bans on shells.  Some are needed.  More research is
> needed and then the regulation would make more sense, like on the fish.
> They can still be caught, but within limits.  There are some people that
> want shelling banned altogether.  I know that you are reading this, and
> thinking that I am trying to save my business.  True up to a point, but
> I was a and still am a collected first and then I started selling
> shells.  I can put in Tee shirts and ball hats etc. if all the shells
> become protected.  The people that really know don't get involved.  I
> think that what I'm always been interested in is what shell animals are
> eaten and which ones aren't.  Many years ago we had a lady in our Shell
> Club that tried eating almost every shell animal found in our area, as a
> research project.  She's still alive.
>
> Bob Lipe
>
> Check us out at our Website: http://www.theshellstore.com
> The Shell Store
> 348 Corey Ave
> St. Pete Beach 33706
> Phone: 727-360-0586 FAX: 727-360-3668