Re: speaking of Linke...

[Mike & Diane Wise <apistowise@bewellnet.com>]

Linke is back in Germany, sans fish. Brazil is cracking down on everyone taking
fish out of Brazil as personal luggage. The following is an open letter, over
Cichlid-L, by Kullander about this problem.

Subject:
          Re:  One more German aquarist arrested
     Date:
          Tue, 2 Nov 1999 18:43:37 +0100
     From:
          Sven O Kullander
 Reply-To:
          Cichlid Systematics Discussion List
       To:
          CICHLID-L




Hello,

Two German aquarist groups were recently seized for violating Brazilian
environmental protection law in force since 1990 which clearly regulates
the activities of foreign collectors. This law gives plenty room for
foreign scientists to collaborate with Brazilian scientists. CNPq have
posted their instructions on the web:  http://www.cnpq.br/sci/expeditions.htm

It is embarrassing for European researchers that those aquarists now being
caught claim to do scientific collecting. They are not researchers, and we
must make that very clear.

Arrogant illegal collecting will make it increasingly difficult for
everyone io access biodiversity resources in the future. It is important to
find a dialogue and platform for future scientifc collaboration, without
the burden of aquarists attempting to disguise as researchers.

Also I believe that opportunities for aquarists to do harmless
ecotouristing should be promoted, including some dipnetting for the home
tank, as this category is an important positive factor for conservation of
natural biodiversity rich areas such as tropical rainforests and the large
African lakes. The aspect of those two groups that are now hung out as
trophies by Ibama certainly will not help to realise such positive schemes.
We all loose, also our Brazilian colleagues who are accused of biopiracy
when they are actually only doing their good job of investigating their
national biota. Unfortunately, I believe these will not be the only two
groups to be captured before the end of the season. I feel very sorry for
all involved. Whoever goes on a trip to a foreign country should be
familiar with the local regulations and avoid irregular behavior; this
applies also to collecting natural resources.

Laws similar to those in Brazil are in effect in most Latin American
countires.

Sven O Kullander




Erik Olson wrote:

> Um, I saw this message almost a month ago now.  I'm starting to wonder if
> it's another "Craig Shergold", propagating from list to list...
>
> Anyone have any firsthand knowledge of this?
>
>   - Erik
>
> On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 Piabinha@aol.com wrote:
>
> > this was sent to the catfish list in regards to horst linke.
> >
> > tsuh yang chen, nyc, USA
> >
>
> --
> Erik Olson
> erik at thekrib dot com
>
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