Divers and Collectors

[gary fredrickson]

HI Tom
I find myself in the uncomfortable position of supporting the collection of live mollusks. If we're defending not killing as an idea of god or some ethical imperative then Ihave nothing to say. That is a personal matter for the collector. But strictly in terms of collecting I would remind people that the number of shell collectors world wide is miniscule compared to the entire population. The pressure put on any mollusk population by diving, dredging or snorkeling is simply not that great. Further many collectors are interested in not just having a pretty shiny shell but in knowing about the animals. it's habitat, it's range.
I will not sit here and defend the harvesting of barrels full of examples that are displayed at tourist traps. (Wonder what the tourists would say if they found out all those Florida shells were actually from the Philippines). Responsible collecting for dealers certainly puts no strain on poplulations. I know of one dealer who was offered a thousand Cypraea guttata for five dollars apiece. so there are certainly irresponsible people out there straining population levels. But finally ,responsible collecting of live animals is not ecologically irresponsible
and serves to aid accumulating scientific data.
Gary