Dear all,

There is a significant stigma in the conscientious mind of the
conchologist that will evidence a paradoxical nature particularly
difficult to manage. As Heisenberg theorized, whatever you study you
change, and this single conjecture will be sufficient to surface a
multitude of implications concerned with the field of shell collecting.
The contra census of loving a subject with a primarily pure nature that
eventually will be altered by the repercussions of our interest.

Building up a collection of shells is a lifetime project, generally
motivated by the powerful influence that such captivating jewels of
natural art can have in allowing us to flow through a multitude of other
subjects and facilitate our wise speculation. It is also complex in the
approach made to the various families and species and the requisites to
self content the collector, which tend to sharpen with experience, not
only in regard of quality but also of exception.

Observing the individual expression of a shell is a thrill that grows with
time, yet capable of striking at first. An absolute pleasure, that devotes
such a huge portion of certain individual’s lives, that the possibility of
not collecting is inconsiderable. The spell for the senses condemns the
mollusk by dominating curiosity.

Nowadays, ocean exploitation sees few barriers. A portion of the specimen
shells generally acquired originate as bi catch of various commercial
fishing techniques that can be massive enough to place the problem of
shell collecting in a position almost not worth to mention. Although, and
as an example, the direct blame in the dynamite fishing or the
uncontrolled deep sea trawling is arguable, as they are merely serving
human interests of numerous traits and positions. If not, they would
simply cease to exist.

More suitable notes can be taken on the various locations of the Indo
Pacific that supply shells in overwhelming quantities to meet the demand
imposed by souvenir shops and craft industries worldwide. These can
sometimes relate to the more refined specimen shell industry that
generally considers the standard of quality and reliability as an
efficient method to impose restrains on their collecting and purchases,
and does the possible to conduct the activity ethically.

It is true that in the beginning of a developing interest for conchology,
many will have a starting experience with shells from specimens acquired
in such stores. It is also true, that the people performing and supporting
the over collecting, are also aware enough to separate the quality and
desirable items for the discriminating collector, or even try to
infiltrate poor quality items through a number of methods that fool the
unaware. This suggests that the wholesale and specimen shell markets tend
at some point to coexist. Buying a selected shell does not mean that the
methods or quantity of specimens taken where conservative yet it is fair
to admit that the single point of purchasing only the assumingly best,
will take a major step in improving the standards of your sources, and
make them realize there is no market for the majority of the defective and
uninteresting items offered.
.
It would be fair to assume that such opposite restrain of methods, would
be set apart in the web of conchology, but both seem to greatly
interconnect, simply for the fact that they share a common interest.
Buying shells and assuming your interest for them, motivates a collecting
force that will have no positive impact in the sustenance of the species
of mollusks, and mostly their habitats, apart from minor exceptions. It is
sad that enthusiasm and circumstance can twist the meaning of good will.
Senseless commercialism, can completely subvert the prospects of
responsibility, and leads to a series of horrendous crimes that outbalance
any chance of description

In order to allow an healthy balance in this intricate form of love, most
scientists usually recur to their good sense in order to evaluate each
particular instance of their activity, and modulate their method
accordingly, as to allow a fair margin for the natural intents.

No mollusk would option to abort it]s existence in favor of having his
shell admired, the same way humans will hardly take that in account when
facing a possible new addition for their collection.

It is imperative to protect the overwhelmingly beautiful lives of these
creatures and their shells, through the use of honest intelligence.
Reinforcing your status as a shell collector by respecting the individual
and setting your goals on a higher degree of perfection might dissuade
some of the preliminary connections that still confuse both worlds.

The human species imposes such a decisive influence in the processes of
their habitat that the natural competition inherent to its animal
functions will necessarily have to transmute into respect and admiration
towards the fundaments of existence that we share with everything. With
time, all the treasures that enrich our minds, and that have ultimately
permitted us the methods for such relevant decisions, must to be
recognized as fundamental in achieving the true goal of placement that all
creatures strive for.


I wish you a spectacular 2006!

Thank you for the discussions,

David da Costa

www.iloveshells.com

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