Last night at the meeting there was a discussion about native tanks. Never even thought about it . Which I was at first thinking, :think) Wow that’d be a cool idea! Going down the beach and collecting the animals and keeping a tank full of creatures that are native to our area. I hadn’t really thought about how many different creatures are right here in our little slice of the ocean. I was amazed at how many things there are right here in our own backyard. But then I wonder if there are any regulations against it. Is it only the warmer climates that restrict the harvesting of ocean animals? I am a firm believer in aquaculture, to save reefs etc… And if I go out to collect these creatures from our own ocean, wouldn’t that be the same thing in a way. Just because I don’t live in tropical paradise does that make it ok? I like the idea of going out and setting up a native tank, in fact I still may get go down this summer just to check it out. Now I am going back and forth with these questions in my head. IS this a good thing or is this a bad thing. Just because we live in a colder climate not the tropics is it ok to go and collect these animals? Whats your opinion?
Well, I have split opinions on the idea as well. First, I support aquaculture/mariculture and would like to see more of that sort of stuff. On the other hand, alot of the interesting stuff that could possibly be collected is tropicals that came up in the Gulf Stream. If these are what you are collecting, then you really arent doing anything that bad. Those creatures can live through our spring/summer/fall temps, but they almost always die off in the winter. These fishes also do not support a large fishery… just a few curious aquarists and a couple seagulls. If you are collecting within reason, you wont do any major damage to the ecosystem. Its not nearly as bad for the marine ecosystem as buying any sort of fish or shellfish from the grocery store which is harvested in much greater numbers.
It will probably take a bit more research to see what the regs are on this sort of collecting. The state Fish and Wildlife division complicated it last year by extending fishing license requirements to tidal and salt waters too for the first time. it covers fishing, clamming crabing and types of netting in all waters.
http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/FishingInfo.aspx
we should run the scenario across them before hand to see what we can do. and if these tropical drift species are included. and what local small non food fish can be netted too.
Couple of years ago, we were fishing in Indian River Inlet. Got hooked up a a big clump of seaweed, and when we pulled it in there were a ton of hermits, snails and a couple of pipe fish that fell out of it. Very cool! I think that’s the way to go, focus on veggie clumps and shake loose whatever will fall out.
Several years ago did this a couple weeks in a row, down at the cape near the Lewis pier. Came back with all kinds of fish crabs and shrimp. Was a lot of fun but my friend that was going with me didnt want to go any more so not much fun with one person. Hope the trip goes through looking forward to going. If not my sons old enough to help out so going anyway but much more fun with more people. le-frogIf anyone is interested NJRC has a dive trip to collect the specimens in the late summer/fall
in my old 55 gallon i had star fish, large hermits, horseshoe crabs, snails, few sponges and other things all complaments of lewes. the 8 inch sandsharks i tried never made it past 3 days but was wild looking in tank. the salinity was way low for them to survive i think. it is around 3 times our tanks i would guess. but my 1 inch horseshoe crab lasted almost 9 months and my large star fish over 1 year. will be interested in this trip due to the fact i am at beach every other sunday. me and kids go surf fishing and beach combing alot.
Either or both De or NJ would be great. YahoOI am almost certain it is illegal to take horseshoe crabs in Delaware.
Just don’t get any needles!
[quote=“Cdangel0, post:9, topic:1376”]
I am almost certain it is illegal to take horseshoe crabs in Delaware.[/quote]
to my knowledge their isn’t a closed season on horseshoe crabs, a main reason why the rednots are disappearing along with the other migratory birds…with that said i kept a horseshoe crab in an home aquarium about 12 years ago in my first marine setup…i do remember purchasing it at a pet store in peoples plaza…i actually have a fresh water delaware aquatic tank set up now kinda off topic but still pertinent and i wouldn’t recommend it been a huge hassle dealing with fungal infections hence why im going salt after i release them back into the wild
all good points. I’m sure we can collect specimens with proper attenion to current regulations. My Friend has done this often in the past before the new tidal fishing regs went into effect last year. . Im sure some of us will need a fishing license, but some will no doubt already have them. walt says he used to find all kinds of non native critters that ride the gulf stream and tides to the bay. the one mention of fugal problems is one to consider. quarantine and treatment of specimens would be advisd unless just adding them to a seperate tank of their own. lots of nasty microbes out there in the bay.
Has anyone gone to the NJ State Aquarium in Camden to see their local brown water specimen collections?