"yes or no" answer to your question, and the reason, of course, revolves around the question of "sustainability". In a perfect world, each species would be carefully studied so that we would be well-informed on whether or not there was a surplus suitable for commercial harvest. In practice, fish and game agencies are going to say: "we have no funding for herp studies, so we'll have to rely on the best guesses of our people out in the field."

In fishing, I can tell you that- especially in the case of freshwater fisheries, where such studies HAVR been done, and thoroughly- the result has generally been outright bans on commercial fishing in favor of recreational (i.e. "hobby" fishing. Once the all-encompassing factor of human appetites, combined with human greed, enter the picture, many cold-blooded species just cannot keep up.

Many chelonians (particularly tortoises) are good examples of species whose populations cannot stand commercial take.

So, Mike, if you REALLY mean "sustainable", then I can answer yes to your question. But based on what I've read from you in the past, I don't believe you do.
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

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