David;
        I've been beating the drum on deep-water coral ecosystems for years - so
everyone who has been around for a while is at least somewhat aware of them.  It
is not a "hot topic", however, perhaps because almost no sediment samples have
been collected from deep coral habitats anywhere in the world, so the associated
molluscan fauna, which may be quite exotic, is almost completely unknown: in the
next 10 years, it is likely that dozens and scores of new molluscs will be
described from these fantasic places - ie, the fragments of them that manage to
survive!!  One pass of a trawler can destroy thousands of years of growth, and
at the rate this is occuring, it is probable that only a small remnant will survive.

        Only longlining - lines with many hooks- is relatively non-destructive as well
as economically viable in this type of habitat.

        All over the planet, dragging and dredging are disturbing and destroying seabed
habitats - even in areas where there is massive tidal disturbance or turbulence
due to frequent storms, vital yet vulnerable componants of ecosystems - such as
depressions where silt and organic matter accumulate (making them highly
productive, with a high degree of biodiversity), are being wiped out by mobile
gear used for fish dragging which often weighs many tons: it simply flattens the
undersea landscape, reducing varied, diverse landscapes to flat, barren
wastelands (this has been filmed on the US side of George's Bank - it is a
fact.).  The sea certainly is large, but the sheer size of the world's fishing
fleets is quite amazing, and almost no corner of the globe is untouched: the
situation is really quite dire, but the public just doesn't seem to rally around
the notion of protecting things they can't see, except in fairy-tale-like Jaques
Cousteau films and such, which rarely show the huge areas of devastation,
instead focusing on the ever-dwindling patches of intact benthic habitat.

        The COA has a general outlook, and actively promotes conservation, especially
during collecting activities, but so far as i know, seldom takes stands on
specific issues such as destructive fishing methods.

        My personal views are apparent by now, but i think that ALL conchologists have
a duty to protect and preserve the sea and all life in it: we derive pleasure
from the products of the ocean, so we should in turn be actively doing our best
to fight greed, apathy, tradition and ignorance regarding the exploitation of
the world's oceans - otherwise we are just taking without giving back.

-Ross Mayhew.

David Kirsch wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> I'm glad some of you have had a chance to read the article. It was quite a  bit of word-processing but I felt it was important to circulate.
>
> There are many questions which are raised and I hope there are some educated  answers from the list (and more questions as well):
>
> Were at least some of the scientists on the list aware of these deep water  coral habitats and endemic mollusks?
>
> Are some of the recently discovered deep-water species that have been > discussed by the popular shellers' magazines and popular shelling closely > associated with these habitats?
>
> Are the industrial fishing methods described in the article also the means > by which at least some of the recent deep water specimens in circulation are > captured? What are relatively reasonable and safe methods?
>
> I have felt uncomfortable at times with the sheer size of the haul at the > various scallop dumps. It means that the bottom has been swept "clean" and > whatever by-catch dies. A fellow sheller told me that the damage is probably > minimal because of the nature of the bottom where the calicos congregate and > because the sea is so huge. What do others think? And what do we know about > the extent of damage to habitats associated with various types of catch and > methods of fishing?
>
> What is our responsibility to minimize destruction while we are benefitting > personally by being able to collect deep water specimens?
>
> Has COA taken any stands on habitat destruction besides issuing a credo on > responsible personal collecting habits?
>
> I'm sure I can think of more questions but I'm eager to hear what others > have to say.
>