City of Vernon considers exotic pet ban bylaw incl saltwater fish

[mike31154]

Not sure if I should have put this into the BC Interiors forum, but I figured it would get more exposure here and could be relevant to other hobbyists down the road. My daughter alerted me to an article in today's paper. Apparently they won't take my stuff away if the bylaw is passed since you're grandfathered as long as you already have an up & running system.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_...102667849.html

Just dandy, we recently lost a LFS due to closure so now we're down to one pet shop that carries SW stuff in Vernon. This bylaw would pretty much kill that business too.

[2pts]

Glad I live 120ft outside Vernon, although Coldstream's council is probably worse.

Wonder why they would stop at Salt and not go after Fresh, I geuss the fresh water fish of the world are not as important to the hippies eh?

[mark]

looks like your local politicians have a lot of free time, might want to point that out next election

[Bloodasp]

Why stop at exotic pets, ban the whole pet trade all together, dogs and cats have lives too and deserve to be free. Just being sarcastic but it's so funny how it says there that the issue arises everytime the circus rolls into town.

[Megalodon]

I blame all the irresponsible people ruining things for everyone else.

Animal-lovers see animals being abused, complain (and rightfully so) and lawmakers pass these broad blanket laws affecting everyone.

[intarsiabox]

Most birds and reptiles would be considered exotic pets as well and almost all of them are bred in captivity. I don't know what they are trying to accomplish when people can just go to Kelowna or Kamloops and get whatever they want, this would only hurt the local pet businesses.

[Megalodon]

First thing they should do is separate the concept of circus' traveling around with wild animals performing tricks and that of pet keepers or zoos maintaining a proper natural enclosure. We don't haul fish around in tiny cages making them do tricks. Also, if they escape they can't run around killing people. They're also fish, not higher mammals like lions and elephants, and are thus much less intelligent and cognizant of their conditions, and in need of less stimulation.

Two different things here this law is tying together and I don't like it.

[Megalodon]

This is exactly what I posted. I think this is a bot.

Originally Posted by doramider7

I blame all the irresponsible people ruining things for everyone else.

Animal-lovers see animals being abused, complain (and rightfully so) and lawmakers pass these broad blanket laws affecting everyone.

[Lego]

I completely agree that everyone in the Vernon area write to the MLA. I hope everyone does... this city isn't far from mine. I can understand bears, tigers, lions bla bla bla but come on... saltwater fish..???

Too look on the other side of the coin here... is it just the owner of a saltwater aquarium that is irresponsible? Sure it is part of it... But it is also that person that sold them something they shouldn't have... Maybe the store owners should be held a little accountable here too... instead of looking at the opportunity to sell off a Moorish idol to person that is running 20gal nano or someone that just started in this hobby they should actually deny the sale. Questions should be asked before any fish or coral is bought. When I bought my first Rottweiler I had to write an exam on the breed!! I couldn't just pick the dog either... the dog had to pick me; were talking about a 160lb dog that can easily hurt an adult if wanted. I then had to get training lessons off him (breeder) or another qualified trainer or the dog will be taken back. That is a professional seller IMO. You can't say he didn't need the money these dogs were 1200 at the cheap end. He wanted them to have a responsible owner. Maybe all pet stores should follow the same example.

Flame away…

[naesco]

Originally Posted by 2pts

Glad I live 120ft outside Vernon, although Coldstream's council is probably worse.

Wonder why they would stop at Salt and not go after Fresh, I geuss the fresh water fish of the world are not as important to the hippies eh?

The answer is that something like 90% of fresh water fish is aquacultured.

Something like 1% of saltwater is aquacultured the rest is from the sea.
In many cases aquacultured saltwater fish are available but LFS don't bother to bring them in.

I think the solution to the problem is not what Vernon proposes.

The solution is a ban on
1. import of fish and coral where aquacultured fish and coral are available. (except for seed stock)
2. import of unsuitable species like large fish like shark, poisonous species like blue ring octopus and those species that have little chance of success in hobbyists tanks. (Moorish Idol, many butterflys, cleaner wrasse etc.