"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.
-----
Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

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

[ Hide Replies ]

• Who supports the sale of WC? - OHI, Wed Feb 11 14:59:47 2009
• RE: Who supports the sale of WC? - daneby, Wed Feb 11 23:08:04 2009
• RE: Who supports the sale of WC? - TOM_CRUTCHFIELD, Thu Feb 12 04:55:59 2009
• There is no - brhaco, Thu Feb 12 08:52:20 2009
• RE: There is no - TOM_CRUTCHFIELD, Thu Feb 12 10:08:54 2009
• Well said.. - phil bradley, Thu Feb 12 11:57:48 2009
• Just stick to the question, please - OHI, Thu Feb 12 18:15:14 2009
• RE: Just stick to the question, please - TOM_CRUTCHFIELD, Thu Feb 12 18:37:50 2009
• Exactly my point - brhaco, Thu Feb 12 21:13:42 2009
• RE: Exactly my point - OHI, Thu Feb 12 22:13:26 2009
• I would NEVER - brhaco, Fri Feb 13 08:36:03 2009
• RE: Just stick to the question, please - OHI, Thu Feb 12 22:08:46 2009
• RE: Just stick to the question, please - TOM_CRUTCHFIELD, Thu Feb 12 22:45:27 2009
• RE: Just stick to the question, please - OHI, Thu Feb 12 23:43:08 2009
• Unknown factor - OHI, Fri Feb 13 00:02:41 2009
• RE: Unknown factor - emysbreeder, Sat Feb 14 21:34:52 2009
• RE: Unknown factor - OHI, Sat Feb 14 22:15:18 2009
• RE: Unknown factor - wstreps, Sun Feb 15 08:19:28 2009
• RE: Unknown factor - OHI, Sun Feb 15 13:50:08 2009
• RE: Just stick to the question, please - antelope, Fri Feb 13 09:09:22 2009
• Seriously- - brhaco, Fri Feb 13 08:46:37 2009
• RE: Seriously- - OHI, Fri Feb 13 14:04:33 2009
• RE: Seriously- - BRhaco, Fri Feb 13 15:03:22 2009
• RE: Seriously- - OHI, Fri Feb 13 16:22:10 2009
• RE: Seriously- - brhaco, Fri Feb 13 17:06:42 2009
• RE: Seriously- - OHI, Fri Feb 13 19:18:19 2009
• RE: Seriously- - brhaco, Fri Feb 13 20:08:13 2009
• RE: Who supports the sale of WC? - wstreps, Fri Feb 13 10:19:38 2009
• RE: Who supports the sale of WC? - OHI, Fri Feb 13 14:17:01 2009
• My late reply... - jscrick, Tue Feb 17 14:24:45 2009
• RE: My late reply... - jscrick, Tue Feb 17 14:39:52 2009