The issue I raised was not collect or not to collect.  Most of you are
looking at this from extremes.  I only brought up the issue of limiting
collecting to certain purposes to avoid wiping out populations in
diminishing habitats and assure the continuing existence of shell
populations in these diminishing locales.  There are many contributors, of
which specimen collecting may be but a tiny part.  But, the reality is that
development will continue and shoreline habitat is being diminished.  Over
collecting from diminishing habitats by those seeking food, large quantities
of shells for craft, trade or sale, or any other purpose can and has wiped
out shell populations.  And, where, as in the Florida Keys, Sanibel, and
other areas, restrictions have been imposed, many shell populations are
returning despite the continuing development.  It was the over collecting
for food, recreation, and personal or commercial gain that was the factor
driving populations to extinction in many locales.  Development ends and
habitats can be restored or created, but continuing and increasing (as the
population increases) over collecting does not stop unless we voluntarily
stop it or governments impose restrictions.  There is a reason for the
restrictions - wildlife populations are threatened.  And, when restrictions
are necessary it is a practical and political impossibility to restrict one
group but allow another.  Shell collectors should support restrictions, but
fight for restrictions that limit, not exclude.

Ellen is correct.  Bans are not the solution, except in the most extreme
circumstances.  The win-win for shell collectors is collecting limit
restrictions.  Season limits and bag limits that have worked so well for
fishing, hunting and taking Crustaceans.

Marlo
merritt island, fl

________________________________________
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Ellen Bulger
On Saturday, December 29, 2007 Ellen Bulger wrote in part:

Banning collecting can be very helpful to those who would exploit resources
on a large scale for the sake of profit. If collecting is banned, you have
fewer eyes keeping watch on what is happening.

When you can ban the activities of the informed, especially the informed who
have a emotional and intellectual stake in what happens to the habitat, what
species are present or not, then it makes things so much simpler for
business. In business, that is what is known as a win-win situation.

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