Amazon Aquarium busted for selling baby Leopard Sharks

73ChargerFan · #1 02/09/2006, 04:10 AM

http://www.foxreno.com/news/6846944/detail.html

BoomerD · #2 02/09/2006, 09:59 AM

Good. I hope they throw the book at them, and prosecute them to the maximum extent allowed by law...of course, they will plea bargain this into a fine and hand-slap, as is normal in these kinds of cases...after all, it's only "cold and slimy" sea creatures, not little warm and fuzzy puppies...

GreshamH · #3 02/09/2006, 11:25 AM

Yah, but it's our (California) "cold and slimy" protected animal. Your right of course. Being the main area where they collect/smuggle these babies out of, we sure have seen our fair share of people basicly get off the hook. The lame thing is, it's common knowledge of whom is doing it!

xinumaster · #4 02/09/2006, 12:00 PM

That sharp is illegal? I just saw one in sj lfs yesterday.

GreshamH · #5 02/09/2006, 12:11 PM

At that size, the leopard shark is illegal. Unless 36", it's against the law!

Coral_Geek · #6 02/09/2006, 11:33 PM

The TV story said that Pan Ocean was involved in this too.

dwarfatize · #7 02/09/2006, 11:51 PM

John Newberry, 34, of Hayward, worked at Pan Ocean Aquarium Inc. and was previously a commercial fisherman.

David Lo pan · #8 02/10/2006, 12:30 AM

Pan Ocean, Bayside Aquatics. Are these retail shops or wholesalers.

Mr. Ugly · #9 02/10/2006, 03:57 AM

Pan Ocean - wholesaler.

David Lo pan · #10 02/10/2006, 05:15 AM

questionable wholesalers = questionable stores

MorandiWine · #11 02/10/2006, 11:18 AM

Well you know what Jack Burtan would say in a moment like this?

Bubbas gonna have his way with them!

MorandiWine · #12 02/10/2006, 11:20 AM

The last posting was not intended to be a mockery or making light of the subject because it IS VERY serious when you break a federal law. It was mearly an attempt at humor after seeing "David Lo Pan" post.

If you have not seen "Big Trouble in Little China" ....... you better go rent it now!!

tyler

orientalexpress · #13 02/10/2006, 01:53 PM

what if retailer bought the fishes from wholesaler without knowing is illegal ,are they still held responsible?just wondering.

lapsan

orientalexpress · #14 02/10/2006, 01:57 PM

if your lfs owner is part owner of the wholesaler got caught in this whole illegal operation.would u consider them guilty as well.

lapsan

David Lo pan · #15 02/10/2006, 03:06 PM

you would think so.

David Lo pan · #16 02/10/2006, 03:07 PM

Do you know something we dont?

GreshamH · #17 02/10/2006, 03:14 PM

I know what your talking about Lap (or at least I know what I'm talking about

), and you need to take into account the timeline involved.

freecard · #18 02/11/2006, 02:43 PM

they are not the only ones doing this in the area . . .

want2reef · #19 02/11/2006, 10:46 PM

Good, What is next, baby Stergeon.

MorandiWine · #20 02/12/2006, 12:17 AM

Luckily Sturgeon are being bred and those are the ones that are running around in the industry.

The problem is that it is the few stores that make the rest of us law abiding stores or fish keepers look bad. This is just the kind of ammunition that organizations like PETA or NWF or WWF need to get more red tape in the fish industry. For example, The Doris Day Foundation got legislation passed that says that ALL businesses that sell living creatures must, BY LAW, provide care instructions and education about that and every animal under captive care. From Rhinopius to Goldfish you need care instructions. I know that 90% of the stores out there do not abide by this legislation or dont even know about it!!! The problem is that you have a person (Doris Day) who knows NOTHING about this industry and let go of that tree she was hugging and made some noise in Sacramento. Dont get me wrong, I'm a conservationist but I'm also a realist. You cant have this kind of industry without some type of impact on the environment.

What was my point???? Oh yeah, when there are stupid people like these people doing illegal things, it brings all of us down. Lesson is......follow the rules!!!!!!!

Off the soap box....sorry

tyler

BoomerD · #21 02/12/2006, 01:47 AM

It's funny (not) when places like Petco give you a generic care sheet for fish. They are usually so far wrong, that it's scary, but, accurate or not, they are complying with that law...
freecard, I hope that by saying they're not the only ones, that you think it's ok if they do it too...the law is the law, and if they get caught, they need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, NOT just a small fine, and a handslap.

Ti · #22 02/12/2006, 10:42 AM

funkay

crazzyreefer · #23 02/12/2006, 11:17 AM

a care sheet is not that expensive... and could be informative for both the buyer and the employees! As far as selling illegal items, prosecute them, same should go with selling cyanide fish. and dont be a fool and say you cant tell...

MJC · #24 02/13/2006, 02:07 PM

California Fish, Game & Wildlife is pretty strict and very lenient when it comes to these matters. Each State (and country) have differences of opinions to what can come in and not. and will regulate accordingly.

For example, finding a FW Red or Gold Arowana (I know, this board is all about SW) in California is pretty rare, find one and you can be sure it came in illegally. Go to Japan, and you'll find them aplenty. In fact, my understanding through another wholesaler, Japan is one of the largest importers of red arowanas. That's b/c CFGW thinks there aren't enuf to go around and will restrict (read: protect) all non-silver arowanas.

Someone mentioned fishy wholesaler = fishy retailer, it may be the other way around. Consumers and hobbyists are always looking for that prized catch and will go through lengths to get it. Want that red arowana? Walk into a store with a roll of cash and he'll find a way to get you one.

David Lo pan · #25 02/13/2006, 05:38 PM

You don't necessarily need a roll of cash. I've recently been in some stores (begins with Aqua, lol) where this practice is common.