First, a question (NOT a complaint, which i promised not to do again,
NB!): WHY do people insist on using initials instead of some sort of
actual name? This can get more than a little confusing at times!!
(comment, not complaint)
Second, allow me to second the common-sense comments, opinions and
observations put forward in the defense of collectors of former mollusc
homes in general, and dealers in particular. While it maybe argued that
a lot of usually defenceless invertebrates have been dipsatched in the
pursuit of high-end specimen shells, only in a few very small areas of
the planet have ever suffered signifigant damage to habitat due to
shell-collecting activities related to the extremely selective pursuit
of specimens for "conchological" purposes. I used to agonize over the
morality of killing living creatures for purely aesthetic reasons (as
in "pretty shell people"(not meaning to offend any present or possible
customers!!)), i have come to realize a few things in the meantime: 1)
Conchology is by-and-large an at least semi-scientific pursuit, and
collectors have indeed contributed signifigantly to what is known about
all aspects of the science of Malacology. 2)Collectors usually take
better care of the portions of the biosphere they come into contact
with than most of those who indulge in critisizing us realize ( the
devil is in the word"usually"! ), 3) In most people's world-view,
popping a mollusc into propanol (or, on the same level, swatting a
mosquito!) is qualitatively different from murdering an intelligent
being such as a dolphin, elephant or deer, or killing an ancient tree
for profit or pulp., and 4) The knowledge gained in the study and
pursuit of mollusc populations and assemblages can tell us a lot about
environmental damage due to far more commonplace (alas!!) causes, such
as wetland destruction, deforestation, destructive fishing and undersea
mining methods, and the transformation of our oceans into an
increasingly toxic soup with hundreds of thousands of ingredients
Mother Nature either never dreamed of, or rejected.
-Ross Mayhew,
Shell dealer and not ashamed in the slightest.
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