A couple of years ago we visited Tonga. Prior to our trip we did research
the legality of shell collecting. While Tonga does have marine parks their
gov sponsored web pages also encouraged shell collecting.

"Conchologists say that Tongan shells are the most beautiful in the
 Pacific."

We stayed at a "resort" operated by a German couple. To make a long story
short, they were not very receptive to shell collectors "We had to send the
last bunch of shell collector home." While at the same time the walls were
hung with many huge turtle shells, many, obviously live collected Tritons
and the "gift shop" offered a wide assortment of whale bone and ivory
carvings.

In their case conservation seemed to be soundly linked to financial gain.

Russ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Barclay" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 11:01 PM
Subject: Re: Effects of collecting shells from beaches


> Very Interesting.  I just read up on Bokissa, sounds like a beautiful
> place.  You can hike through the jungle, catch fish from shore or
> from a boat (not catch and release), and they encourage you to catch
> your own lobster for dinner.  Just don't pick up dead shells off the
> beach, eh?
>
> I could be wrong, but I'd guess you weren't challenged by a local.
> I have been challenged on South Pacific beaches about a dozen
> times, although I wouldn't have gone to any place that called itself
> an "Eco Island" simply because I would figure it's strictly managed
> by foreigners with their own "laws."   I've been challenged by two
> Americans, one Australian, one guy from England, and about eight
> or nine New Zealanders.  The Americans explained to me how it
> was morally wrong, the Aussie told me I needed a permit, the Brit
> told me I'd be arrested when I tried to board the plane with shells,
> and the Kiwis told me it was absolutely illegal, without exception.
> If you try to tell them you know the local laws, and are complying
> with them, a few will back off, but some will try to make your life
> difficult.  It's probably better to keep a low profile, just to avoid
> the hassle, and familiarize yourself with the real laws before you
> go to one of the islands to collect shells.  Very few of the island
> countries have strict collection rules, and most of them only con-
> cern the commercial species (Charonia tritonis, Cassis cornuta,
> Trochus niloticus, Turbo marmoratus,and the Tridacna species).
> By the way, T. marmoratus is "protected" in many island countries
> where the species has never been found, I assume because some
> of the countries simply copied the laws of other Pacific nations?
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> Don
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Simon Wilson" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 11:17 PM
> Subject: Re: Effects of collecting shells from beaches
>
>
> > Stephen,
> >
> > My wife & I were challenged while we collected a few shells from the
beach
> > at Bokissa island off Espirito island, Vanuatu. No mention in the
> > brochure, but later found out when we read the in room info that it was
an
> > eco island. So we had to put the shells back, a real pity. We didn't
take
> > much but a couple of nice items. But rule are rules I guess.
> >
> > This is such a nice pastime, more places in Australia are prohibiting
> > beach collecting esp around the major cities.
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Simon
> > Melbourne, Australia
> >
> >
> > Hello, all:
> >
> > I'm a recent addition to this list, a shell enthusiast, and a
journalist.
> > This thread caught my professional interest:  Is there a movement afoot
to
> > stop
> > beach-shell collecting?  The woman (I think) who started this thread
> > reported
> > a confrontation on a beach in (I think) Thailand; I'd appreciate hearing
> > from
> > her and others with similar stories or knowledge of efforts to prevent
> > shell
> > collecting.  The science is certainly interesting.  Many thanks.
> >
> > Stephen Rae
> >
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