Please Read & Comment

[Chelle's Ocean]

Hello all Captive Reef Members!
This is 'Chelle, a.k.a. Chelle's Ocean.
I would like to pose a question to you, to get your feedback, opinion, knowledge from those that have experience in this sort of thing....
"A local reefer here in Ocala, Florida had an ad out for a Tang for sale she no longer wanted in her tank. She was contacted by a person wanting to buy it he went to her home and made the deal then pulled out a Badge showing he was with Florida Wildlife Commession and said she just broke the law.

He said he could Fine her, confiscate the fish. He ended up writing a warning.

She explained that she was just a hobbiest that no longer wanted the fish.

He told her it was illegal to sell any fish or coral to anyone without a license. Said we couldn't even sell it back to the fish store or trade it for another.

Does this seem right to anyone?

Anyone have any similar experience or knowledge? "

Please let me know your thoughts, and what you know from your experience in this hobby of ours.
Thanks! And I look forward to getting to know all of you!

[pjr]

More fun from Florida, the land of the hanging chad.

Michelle, that is unreal! What a total hassle!

[Chelle's Ocean]

Thanks PJR- very weird to have gone through, but we have been looking into this. Unfortunately we are finding out it is true. Coral swaps / sales or fish trades / sales (without holding a license) are in fact illegal. We have been dealing with the FWC to try to find out where the hobbyist stands, as it appears we were looked over when the law was originated. The FWC has been very helpful in trying to look into this. Is there anyone here that can offer advice on what to ask specifically? PM me for more detailed information.

[Chelle's Ocean]

PJR- love the tank shots! (following your blog)

[reptileblvd]

That sounds like crap. I cannot believe such a messy piece of legislature.

[jimsflies]

I'm guessing most states wouldn't be the same since they wouldn't have native-local coral reefs to protect?

[pjr]

Michele, thanks for the kind words! Hopefully one day I'll actually become a good reef photographer.

Jim raises a good point. Florida, as custodian of the marine environment, may have a different perspective in order to protect the habitat. It seems like what really needs to be asked is this: what was the INTENT of the legislation when it was crafted? What were they trying to prevent? I don't think it was hobbyists.

[Sir Patrick]

Wow!! Imagine that!!!

Those rules/regulations sure are gonna make the hobby aspect really hard to do in florida...does make sence though, with the florida reef and the wildlife of the state involved. At first, being from michigan- I was pretty surprised. The more I think about it the more it makes sence though.

Maybe, with the right pushes/hints to the right people- florida can come up with some type of hobbiest certificate?? To make trades and sales, not to mention events like swaps, legal??

Still got alot to read, about 1/2 way through so far. Glad they didnt throw the book at ya at least!!

[Chelle's Ocean]

Yeah, I am happy- the officer was very nice about it- although still scared the bajeezes outta me!
There is so much info there, that I will try to skim through a few good ones and post here. It is definitely a law, so it is good that it came about the way it did...but what we are finding out is that many of the LFS 'knew' about it, and just didn't bother to pass it along to the hobbyists. 'We' never knew this law existed, and were just as dumbfounded as everyone else when it was told to us. But my husband is finding alot of info, and following up with this, I want to make sure I am covered no matter what I choose to do down the road....sell a fish, swap a coral, frag and sell? Whatever I decide, I want to make sure I have that piece of paper that gives me the right to do so- and that is what we are working on.......what other things are needed by the hobbyist....will fill you in when we know more.

[streetrodder007]

I think a lot of the laws we have when enacted, have good intent. But its obviously up to the enforcing agent to interpret those laws in a logical and ethical manner. I can see where in Florida this law is enforced a whole lot different than Michigan, because of the ocean.
It's good he just gave you a warning, but I do feel he could have seen what your doing with the one fish and just made a quick "in and out" inspection/ decision and been on his way. There are much bigger fish to fry in the world of Marine life smuggling , than 1 older woman with a small Blue Hippo Tang.