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All Fish Hobbyists - You Need To Know This Urgently


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#21 Johny

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 11:36 AM

im sad.....im never gonna be able to expand my tb/exotic collection coz if there all gonna be noxious.....people will still sell them but the price will go higher:(

#22 BiGz

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 01:01 PM

You need a license to keep reptiles, why not think of doing the same/similar with tank busters at the very least instead of a total ban

#23 Fish Antics

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 05:07 PM

Today I spoke to a reporter from The West Australian about the situation. I spoke about the over reaction by the government by banning so many species without much evidence to back up the claim of their risk to the environment. In the majority of damage caused by introduction of fish is by those species introduced by government and local councils such as Gambusia, Perch and Trout. Any accidental release of any exotics by aquarists is through ignorance and if they do survive it is in an isolated area where the conditions favour them, such as the warm water released from a power station. The way to combat any risk is through education by the shops selling the fish and by societies such as this one. Threats to release fish are counterproductive and naive.
The point behind fish been moved from the Grey list to the Noxious list is that you will not be allowed to sell or even own one of that species. They will need to be turned in and destroyed. The fines for owning a noxious fish are extremely heavy per individual fish kept and there is a possibility of jail. Those who think they will hold on to their fish without consequences’ are naive, those who think they will not allow anyone to take their fish are foolish. Fisheries have more power than the police and can come onto your property and seize your fish without a warrant. Don’t think it won’t happen, it already has begun. A number of fish have been taken and destroyed from some wholesalers and shops.

The fish listed on the “grey list” are the beginning. The intention is to have any fish that has not been approved for import moved onto the grey list until a decision is made to make it noxious or an allowable import. Those involved in the industry understand how difficult it is to get a fish put on the allowable list. So the possibility is that in a short period of time only those few species that are allowable will be available to buy or own. You never know even the humble goldfish may disappear!
We shall see how the story unfolds


#24 Johny

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 06:01 PM

but how would they know who keeps what? if they are gonna be that strict then im gonna have to say goodbye to all my fishies sad.gif

plus who dumps a $500-$1000 fish in a lake or creek? thats stupid.

#25 Sazabi

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 06:57 PM

Having worked the state government before I know how they process mails for the ministers and the Premier, they do get read, perhaps not by the ministers or Premier but by their policy officers and advisors.

With enough letters and emails they will take notice. It is also important to send correspondences to your local member AND the Federal Opposition for fisheries. But the most effective way is to send correspondence by mail.

Don't think that letters or emails are ineffective, they are very effective. Since they get logged and recorded under the State/Commonwealth Records Acts and various legislations, they are not allowed to discard any form of letter.

Sent mines in, keep them coming

#26 Iamsam

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 08:42 PM

QUOTE (Johny @ Oct 23 2008, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
plus who dumps a $500-$1000 fish in a lake or creek? thats stupid.


i think this is one point that is highly irrelevnt, if you look at the list there is plenty of cheap fish on there as well; ie spiny eels which go for about $10

#27 Trekrider

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Posted 23 October 2008 - 10:10 PM

I sent out my emails to all the usual suspects plus my local MP - not sure what good the latter one will do (especially as he's in opposition) but worth a shot.

I got the following back from Anthony Moore:

'Andy is currently out of office. For urgent please contact Neil Bensley neil.bensley@brs.gov.au or 02 6272 4243'

So I forwarded my original email to Neil Bensley stating that I did consider the matter urgent.

#28 Trekrider

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Posted 24 October 2008 - 06:05 PM

I got a reply back from my local MP as follows:

'Thank you for providing me with a copy of your email regarding a proposed extension of the Australian and National Noxious Fish list. As your local state government representative I will remain cognizant of your views should the matter come before me.

May I suggest that you contact the office of your local Federal Member of Parliament, Hon Gary Gray MP (phone: 95279377)and seek his assistance in advancing your views with Federal government.'

As suggested I have now sent a copy to Gary Gray - might be worth more people emailing him as well.

#29 Sazabi

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Posted 24 October 2008 - 06:33 PM

See your local MP have their uses, whether they are in power or in opposition biggrin.gif

Keep those emails and letters coming!

#30 ZOLTAN

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 01:16 AM

Now hate to say this, and i know i would never in my life consider adopting this action, but if they do bring all this into a act of law and tighten up the belt on it, wouldn't that casue alot of people that might freak out on the thought that they might get caught and hit with a decent fine direct some to dump the fish in lakes and water ways to keep their hands clean. Not really talking about the educated ones, but more of the ones that don't visit sites like this, wouldn't this just be throwing water on a oil fire?

#31 Sazabi

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 08:16 AM

QUOTE (ZOLTAN @ Oct 25 2008, 01:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Now hate to say this, and i know i would never in my life consider adopting this action, but if they do bring all this into a act of law and tighten up the belt on it, wouldn't that casue alot of people that might freak out on the thought that they might get caught and hit with a decent fine direct some to dump the fish in lakes and water ways to keep their hands clean. Not really talking about the educated ones, but more of the ones that don't visit sites like this, wouldn't this just be throwing water on a oil fire?



True, but fish most won't survive due to temperature, water, pH conditions. The "experts" seems to think people love to drive to the Pilbara and dump their fish there when they get bored of their fish.

While it is true that there are people who dump fish into the natural waterways (koi and goldfish) but those are cold waterfish and can survive in most waterways. However the damages caused by hobbyists are far less than other feral species. To give some example:

Cane toads - introduced into Australia in the 1930s to control beetles that were destroying sugarcane crops by the government not by hobbyists

Gambusia holbrooki - introduced in Australia in the 1920s as a mosquito control agent by the government not by hobbyists

Red Fox - introduced. to Australia for recreational hunting in 1855

Camel - imported to provide transport through inland Australia in the 1840s and they have since made it their domain. While they do not appear to be as destructive as other introduced herbivores, their increasing numbers may affect native vegetation, and they are also minor agricultural pests.

The lists goes on and on


#32 werdna

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 05:20 PM

Lets not forget cats and rabbits.
This law is total BS.

They worry about the harm some fish MIGHT do IF they are released and HAPPEN to survive in wrong conditions, yet anyone can own cats that can and do destroy our native birds and other wildlife and many turn feral.
And there is no conditions on rabbit ownership.

Why should I, as a responsible fish keeper need a licence like reptiles require. I dont agree with native reptile keepers needing a licence either... but that is another topic!

Typical, uneducated prats thinking they know whats best. The day I turn my Dimi comps in is the day that all cat owners turn their cats in.

Fudge them all I say.

Emails sent by my email address, 9 other email addresses I have access to, my work email, and about 20 random hotmail accounts using different names.

OK... vented now.... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR


Andrew

#33 Cawdor

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 05:34 PM

Just as a side note, I remember reading a while back that letters carry a lot more weight in terms of representing the opinion of the people than emails. I don't remember the exact numbers but it was something like one email represents 10 people while a letter represents 10000 or something like that.

So write emails, print them out and send them in via snail mail as well.
Also contact media outlets like the papers. Even local ones.
You wouldn't believe how many feathers can get ruffled by one reporter asking for a comment.

#34 Fish Antics

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 06:45 PM

From the other post updating:
QUOTE
As a direct result of this I received a phone call from Dr Stephanie Turner from the Dept of Fisheries.

After being contacted by The West Australian newspaper who told her of the volume of letters, emails & phone calls received from people who are concerned over this issue.
She told me that after Nov 6th the species on the Grey List WILL NOT automatically be moved to the Noxious list.
The meeting on Nov 6th will be a discussion by "Fish Scientists" and representatives from the "Pet Industries Assoc' of Australia " on the species on the Grey List.


It shows that the pressure from all the hobbiest is having some effect, We need to keep the pressure up until we get our view taken into account. I am not sure I would take it as gospel that it will not happen on Nov 6, but, if we can create enough noise it may never happen. I am also not sure if the "Fish Scientists" and representatives from the "Pet Industries Assoc' of Australia " that they have envolved are fully aware of the complete picture and the best representatives to make such decissions.

Tony

#35 giz

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Posted 25 October 2008 - 09:07 PM

QUOTE
Cicolid The meeting on Nov 6th will be a discussion by "Fish Scientists" and representatives from the "Pet Industries Assoc' of Australia " on the species on the Grey List.



Pet industries assoc used to be known as PIJAC and they have done very little for the fish hobby in W.A. . Does anyone even know who the state rep is? Where were they when the cichlids were found in Altone Park?? If it was an issue with the petshop selling fluffy cute animals, they'd be right on it but because it's fish, it's too hard.

Nikki

#36 taipan

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Posted 26 October 2008 - 04:49 PM

Emails sent to the relevent parties.

I wonder if our names are being noted so that if this is made law, we will be some of the first to have the government heavies knocking on the door.

IMO cats cause far more damage to the environment but because they are 'cute and fluffy' and are kept by little old ladies etc the government knows it has no chance of enacting such draconian laws on the cat lovers. The only good cat is the one that is in a craypot at the bottom of the ocean.

#37 FishGal

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Posted 26 October 2008 - 05:00 PM

QUOTE (taipan @ Oct 26 2008, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The only good cat is the one that is in a craypot at the bottom of the ocean.


Be it your opinion/belief/joke, cruelty to animals shouldn't be joked about IMO....

There does seem to be quite a bit of conflicting information floating around a few forums at the moment as to whether this "threat" is as serious as people are making it out to be, so I'm unsure what to think of it all, if it is a genuine threat and does go through, then we will be affected.

#38 taipan

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Posted 26 October 2008 - 05:11 PM

QUOTE (FishGal @ Oct 26 2008, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Be it your opinion/belief/joke, cruelty to animals shouldn't be joked about IMO....

There does seem to be quite a bit of conflicting information floating around a few forums at the moment as to whether this "threat" is as serious as people are making it out to be, so I'm unsure what to think of it all, if it is a genuine threat and does go through, then we will be affected.


Didn't take long for a bite there. Of course the cat would have been humanely dealt with before being put to use.

Seriously we need as many people as possible to voice their opinion and opposition to the government proposals.


#39 dazzabozza

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Posted 26 October 2008 - 06:38 PM

Lets not forget that it's not the animals (be it fish or cats etc) that do the damage.... it's the choices we make. Be a responsible pet owner and don't dump/release them into the wild.

#40 Tucunare

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Posted 26 October 2008 - 06:54 PM

isnt the PIJAC rep the owner of pet magic cannigton??????
has anyone thought of contacting the RSPCA on this, it might be worth while bringing it to there attention




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