You're "treading on sacred ground young grasshopper". In my experiences Canadian Customs Officials are less than understanding and I really doubt you'd hear them say, "well, we'll let it go this time but next time please obtain a CITES permit prior to importing any live or possibly endangered species..."
Don't even bother without proper documentation. You'll have it confiscated. It could "snowball" from there...free accomadation for a night at crowbar motel and perhaps a "rubber glove intrusion". :shock:
...now there's a vacation memory I would't want
.
Perhaps "rubble" from the beach.
Let's say I know a guy that went to Cuba last year. I, oops, I mean he, was a real marine enthusiast. For two weeks I, ooops, there I go again,
"he" collected Rubble that washed ashore for "base rock". As the days passed on, the size of the rocks collected increased. As the vacation drew to a close and we, oops, they prepared to come home "his" girlfriend asked, "which rocks are you taking home"? "well all of them he replied". :shock:
Departing the Cuban international airport with a bag that weighed 60 pounds more than it did two weeks earlier was "no sweat"
After all, x-rays would probably only think those "objects" in plastic bags were cocaine or somthing... :shock: Besides, the Cuban authorities are know for their hospitality...
This guy gambled on his innocent looking face to get him out of the Calgary International Airport without a "bag search..." "He" got lucky !!!
Experience diving/snorkelling while you're there. Observe life in its natural enviroment and bring that back to try and replicate. Customs officials can't take away that and you don't have to go through an airport feeling like you're a "drug runner..."
Have a great time !!!