Divers and Collectors

[dave r]

Hi Tom,
I have never had this from people when they see my shell collection but I also collect butterflies and moths and frequently get told how cruel I am. They don't like it when I explain that killing a butterfly is no different to squashing a mosquito that is biting you or swatting a fly. They hate it even more when I tell them that flies are more useful than butterflies.
What about the people who collect and kill live shells for food, I am not talking about a Pacific Islander who considers shellfish a part of his natural diet,I am talking about oyster farmers for instance who send hundreds of them to their deaths by rich people eating them. And what about the pearl fisheries? And then the shell is thrown away, at least we have something to show for our hobby.
Dave