Dear Marien,


My apology, I misinterpreted your remarks.
I mistook your sarcasm that was directed at the politicians and legislators
as a support for a ban on collecting and research.
We actually have a very similar mindset.
I have worked as a government administrator for decades and my opinion of
90% of the politicians that I had to deal with is not the best.
Many are in it for the money and/or the power. They will propose anything
that will get votes and if the environmental extremists have the numbers,
the smaller special interest groups lose out.

Conchlist is a great forum as it tends to bring us together.

Thanks for your private email, I thought that it would be appropriate to do
this on Conchlist as well.

Best wishes,

Dennis Sargent


________________________________________
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Marien Faber
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 11:21 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Are cowries getting smaller?

It wasn't. Rhetorical, yes. And I am a bit surprised to get shoot at.

Marien

> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:28:03 +0100
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Are cowries getting smaller?
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> I thought Marien's comment was intended to be sarcastic?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dennis sargent" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 9:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Are cowries getting smaller?
>
>
> > Dear Marien,
> >
> > There have been a few horror stories where greedy collectors have
depleted
> > local populations. These have generally been individuals who were
> > concerned
> > about the profit and not the animals. Most serious students of
malacology
> > are aware of being responsible and limiting live collection of
specimens.
> > I
> > am one of those who have explored malacology as an unpaid passion for
over
> > forty years. One of the most prolific contributors on Conchlist, and one
> > of
> > our most respected malacologists is a retired medical doctor, who like
me
> > has had a life long passion for this science.
> >
> > I am disturbed by your comment about politicians and legislators being
> > given
> > justification to ban "amateur malacological research". My amateur
research
> > has continued for several decades and has resulted in 48 new taxa. I am
> > currently working on the description of five new species of Oliva. Most
of
> > these have been found in museums and old collections. I do collect live
> > specimens, but this is rare. When I collect I take only what is needed,
> > generally less than 5 or 10 specimens. Depending upon the situation, I
may
> > examine, photograph and release other specimens that are not needed.
> >
> > Most recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in the process of
> > attempting to apply the Lacey act to old ladies bringing in seashells in
> > their luggage from other countries. This would create felons out of
> > unknowing individuals whose only act is to appreciate the works of
nature.
> > Most of these countries have their own wildlife regulations and belong
to
> > CITIES. They regulate what can be sold and exported and conduct baggage
> > checks at departure points. Unfortunately, people with your mindset
won't
> > be
> > happy until all animals are in a zoo or museum and no one can touch
them.
> > When this day comes we will be a scientifically illiterate nation where
> > young generations will be barred from having the experience and/or the
> > motivation to study for a career in the biological sciences.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Dennis M. Sargent, Retired Fire Chief, and possibly not entirely an
> > amateur
> > malacologist, as we have sold a few books.
>
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