Ya I don't know what to make of it either. I've read allot of leaders in the industry are taking some serious notice to it though. And allot of big names in the hobby seem to be quite stirred up by it. The potential implications and possible future ramifications on the hobby as a whole seem to be the main focus.
As the ruling stands today based solely on my understanding of it is this new ruling changes nothing for us hobby wise at this point. Collection and trade will continue as usual. But if I understand correctly the ground work has been laid, and the door has been opened for further bans and stricter regulations. A threatened species is just a stones throw away from endangered. The hobby itself as we know it today is being questioned by the big names in the industry as to what the future will hold in store. Collection of such species in the future could in fact be banned, trading of such species could be illegal. Swapping frags at a frag swap or selling from your home aquarium could be just as illegal as selling crack. And the potential for further legislation, bans and restrictions can easily affect the hobby as a whole, not just a few select species. Further collection sites can continue to be protected, further species listed as threatened and potentially make the endangered list. The hobby is under scrutiny, global warming, over fishing, etc etc, are all going to play a role into what future regulations and legislations will be imposed to protect the environment, coral reefs, individual species. Will we see any adverse ramifications on the hobby in the near or distant future? Who knows. But the flood gates have been opened and the future of the hobby could in fact see changes that would affect all of us.
Let me know if my understanding is off? I'd love to hear others input into this who have a better and broader understanding of the new rulings.
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