I think Tom did point out that ecosystem damage was the most serious threat
to these critters.  All the more reason to leave alone the few critters who
have the genetic werewithal to survive the onslaught.
 
ejpower wrote:
 
> Thomas E. Eichhorst wrote:
> >
> > Emilio,
> >
> > Read the conch story Michael referenced and you will see that, yes
> > people do just that ("meat pulling").  I have encountered more than one
> > person who would gladly capture and sell the last breeding pair of
> > whatever rare species you want to name, just for the money.
> > Unfortunately, I do not believe collecting pressure is the villain in
> > the decline of Strombus gigas, the queen or pink conch.  Every bit of
> > evidence (admittedly anecdotal) points to loss of habitat.  But still I
> > am ready to believe there are folks who would collect every single pink
> > conch out of a bay, knowing the illegality of the act.
>
> Hello!
>
> Hi,
>
> Well I suppose that Michael is not the only one with the distrust trait.
>
> I live in Florida, I used to collect Strombus to use the meat for
> Bonefish bait, when it was legal.
>
> What I asked was not answered. Who? Where? How?
>
> Just because you suspect, think of etc etc does not mean it is a common
> occurrence. Even you state "But still I am ready to believe there are
> folks who would collect every single pink conch out of a bay, knowing
> the illegality of the act."
>
> Remember it is the lousy water quality and the ensuing ecological
> changes in Florida Bay that is a MAJOR factor in the demise of the
> Conch.
>
> Later,
>
> Emilio Jorge Power