collecting while diving?

[goodman770]

Has anyone gone on dives for collecting? If so, where? Also, has anyone used a slurp gun to collect their fish, etc? Is this a humane and safe way to collect?

I live in Atlanta and hope to do some diving this summer in Florida to collect species for my tanks...
Thanks,
Bill

[Bomber]

Bill,

Connect with Tom, he runs just those kinds of trips out of Key Largo.

http://www.divertom.com/

HTH
Jerel

PS, if you need a place to stay, we have a apt for rent too not far from them.

[Acolin]

There are quite a few nice things to collect down here, but you had better make sure exactly what you can and can not take. The Marine Patrol does not really know the law. There is an awful lot that you can collect for your own tank. In fact, many of the stores around here are supplied by divers "collecting for their own tanks." There are a few specific species that you can NOT collect. The long spined black urchin comes to mind. Live rock can NOT be collected (except maybe for your own tank). The best thing to do is find the recent Florida law and keep a copy with you. Officers can make you throw back your entire catch and worse, confiscate your boat and equipment. My experience with slurp guns has not been good. You are better off with a tickler on a rod, a clear plastic net and several quart size zip lock baggies. Damsels are a dime a dozen, but some nice French and Queen Angels can be found. Most cattle boats do not go shallow enough to collect the colorful aquarium species, so make sure you ask where they are going and if they do collecting trips.

[goodman770]

Thanks fellas. I have been diving enough to know that catching these fish is much easier said than done. Maybe what I may do is just see if the local fish stores are cheaper than usual since it's right in their backyard.

[dennisV]

I must bring to your attention that although in the USA it might be possible to collect items, in Europe and other parts (like the red sea)the law is much more simple :

Anyone who gets cought collect anything alive or dead will get a very heavy bill to pay and could end up in jail. This often includes that you lose your diving gear, car,..etc. depending on the take.

Stay out of trouble.

[ic_spotz]

You can collect a lot of stuff for your tanks. One of mine will be mostly Florida stuff. ( We live here) We collect from Ft. Lauderdale to the Keys. There are lots of rules and regulations. The FWC (formerly known as The Marine Patrol) generally know the rules. Rule #1...get a fishing license. The best thing is to carry a copy of the recreational saltwater fishing regs with you. It's available as a PDF on this website http://marinefisheries.org/

Good Hunting

Scott

[dennisV]

I've looked at the 'collecting for aquarium' regulations. It does mention the equipment you may use. Diving equipment is not there. I guess the rule is like for spear fishing. You can hunt, but without bottles....I guess

[Bomber]

Dennis, Here's the long version.

http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov/fishery/regs/inter622.htm

[dennisV]

apparently there are limitations according to the species in the US: In the Caribbean EEZ, no person may harvest queen conch by diving while using a device that provides a continuous air supply from the surface.
In europe diving is simply forbidden. To bad for me