More from Karen.  I checked and my roadside foray in the Keys  was 1990-
and I said "there were" (past tense). The astraeae were dead, but indeed
as the ferreter  says,  it may not be permissible to take
even dead ones now. (And I'd certianly heed that advice)   In fact
everything I found then was dead,
but perfectly acceptable for my collection.

And, ferreter, thanks for the tips and very  up-to-date information - that
will definitely be helpful to me next time I drive down the Keys for
stop-at-the-side shelling.

Karen
On Tue, 31 Aug 1999, ferreter wrote:

> Hi, Nancy,,,, Karen told you ">There were all kinds of shells to be
> found,latirus, bivalves, cones, astraea."
> It is illegal to take the astraea , both americana tincta & phobia also
> strombus gigas or queen conch. The penalties out-weigh the profits as there
> are several gift shops with all the gigas you need .
> there are other protected species and I beleive Sir Emilio might just know
> of the "cities" website. oh and don't forget DON'T TAKE THE LIGGUS!!!! Rumor
> has it that there are collectors amongst us who are take them live .... live
> by the sword , die by the sword.
> All the best , try collecting around missouri key , cowries can sometimes be
> found under the bridge , check the pockets of the old bridge , please be
> cafeful as there is a resident bull shark and a stiff current , dive flag a
> must ($185.00 fine) along with a Fl. State fishing license. also there are
> several long spined black urchins arounsd the bridge .
> at deer key there are several safe areas to park , the trails going out thru
> the eel ansd turtle grass is a good spot to find beautiful fresh dead cones
> , polinces (moon snails), ceriths (augers) ,
> Good luck, ferreter
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karen Vanderven <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Monday, August 30, 1999 9:20 PM
> Subject: Re: shelling in the Keys
>
>
> >. I don't know where I heard or read the following information
> >- could even have been on this list - (if so apologize for the repeat)
> >but I remember the message and
> >it was recent:  That it is important to be careful when pulling off the
> >side of the road by yourself in the Keys and leaving your car unobserved -
> >that there have been incidents of breaking in and taking things by
> >persons who are waiting for such opporutnity.
> >
> >I hardly want to put the kibosh on fun collecting in the Keys.  I myself
> have done  the very same thing, stopping by
> >the sides and wading in non-restricted area (although not recently)
> >.
> >There were all kinds of shells to be found,latirus, bivalves, cones,
> >astraea. Have
> >a safe and productive trip and let us know what you  find.
> >Karen
> >
>