legalities of wild-caught fish ...

poppybeds · 02/17/2009, 04:35 PM

I have a friend in the Keys who is a HUGE scuba diving nerd, and he is about to take an expedition to numerous reef systems in the world. He asked if there was anything I was trying to get my hands on and he would acquire them for me, but I'm feeling quite guilty about the possible repercussions of taking fish from the ocean.

Now, nothing I had thought of is considered endangered or is protected (at least, none were listed on CITES), but at the same time, I know that you can only take certain things out of the ocean that are in "season" (lobsters, etc).

Any help? :\

--I'm not asking him for any fish, by the by (my tank isn't even set up yet!). I've just always wondered about fish-thievery.

scottallert · 02/17/2009, 04:41 PM

well, differant fish have differant laws and differant places have differant laws, you would have to look up what you wnat where to get it and what kind of licence you have to have and what size and a bag limit, you would have to narrow down the fish you want.

kraze3 · 02/17/2009, 04:57 PM

You would also need permits to get some of your goodies into this country. SOmetimes they can cost way more than you can buy the fish for locally.

ezcompany · 02/17/2009, 05:15 PM

imo it is not worth the hassle, unless it is really a one of a kind specimen you must have no matter what.
you have first check the collection laws of the country/body of water it is taken from. you also have to go through CBP (customs and border protection), and quite possibly your state's DFG (Dept. of fish and game for California).
not to mention the cost of transport and keeping the specimen alive and healthy the entire trip. would suck to have it die on the plane after spending the dollars on paper work.

02/17/2009, 04:35 PM	#1
poppybeds Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: illnois Posts: 19	legalities of wild-caught fish ... I have a friend in the Keys who is a HUGE scuba diving nerd, and he is about to take an expedition to numerous reef systems in the world. He asked if there was anything I was trying to get my hands on and he would acquire them for me, but I'm feeling quite guilty about the possible repercussions of taking fish from the ocean. Now, nothing I had thought of is considered endangered or is protected (at least, none were listed on CITES), but at the same time, I know that you can only take certain things out of the ocean that are in "season" (lobsters, etc). Any help? :\ --I'm not asking him for any fish, by the by (my tank isn't even set up yet!). I've just always wondered about fish-thievery. __________________ lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off (but it's better if she does).

02/17/2009, 05:15 PM	#4
ezcompany Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,640	imo it is not worth the hassle, unless it is really a one of a kind specimen you must have no matter what. you have first check the collection laws of the country/body of water it is taken from. you also have to go through CBP (customs and border protection), and quite possibly your state's DFG (Dept. of fish and game for California). not to mention the cost of transport and keeping the specimen alive and healthy the entire trip. would suck to have it die on the plane after spending the dollars on paper work. __________________ Jin Have a nice day! Current Tank Info: IM40

02/17/2009, 04:41 PM	#2
scottallert Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: south florida Posts: 571	well, differant fish have differant laws and differant places have differant laws, you would have to look up what you wnat where to get it and what kind of licence you have to have and what size and a bag limit, you would have to narrow down the fish you want.

02/17/2009, 04:57 PM	#3
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	You would also need permits to get some of your goodies into this country. SOmetimes they can cost way more than you can buy the fish for locally.