Re: Overseas collecting
Wayne Forrester (forrestr@mendel.Berkeley.EDU)
Fri, 15 Nov 1996 10:22:47 -0800 (PST)
Hi Cindy,
I would say there are two parts to your question. The first part
is ethical. Is it OK, or even desirable, to collect plants or seeds from
the wild. I think that if the plants are in an area taht is going to be
developed and therefore destroyed anyway, collecting seeds or plants does
little or no harm since the only seeds that would have a chance would be
those that dispersed to a site that wasn't being destroyed. If the plants
are growing in a site that's not being developed, the question is a
little harder to answer. I still think that collecting a small number of
seed might not be such a bad thing, but I would leave the plants
themselves alone. If the plants are growing in a preserve of some sort, I
feel they should not be touched, and usually it's illegal to do so anyway.
That brings up the second part, which is whether it's legal to
collect and import seeds, etc. that you have collected. That will vary,
and others in this group will probably be able to answer that part of
your question. One thing I would say is definitely find out what the
applicable laws are and abide by them. I don't think ending up in jail
would be worth any collecting you might do. If collecting and importing
of a particular species is ok, make sure you have any necessary
paperwork. Just my thoughts.
Wayne Forrester
forrestr@mendel.berkeley.edu
On Fri, 15 Nov 1996, Sarver.Cindy V3I wrote:
> All,
> The thread on saving wild stands of cp is quite interesting, but
> what about
> overseas (someplace that you are a tourist) collecting? I've recently
> been to Malaysia, and watched in horror as a beautiful stand of
> nepenthes were being cleared. I'm headed to Madagascar, and expect
> even more of the same. I can't collect them legally, and then take
> them back home, of course, but can I collect seeds? And perhaps more
> important, SHOULD I?
> The thought of collecting from the wild AT ALL gives me serious
> conscience
> pangs; it's just one of those things that I don't do. Still, is it
> better to try to save some, when they're about to be certainly
> destroyed? (And where does it end - I definitely see the start of the
> "CP Vigilantes" [love that image, Ken!] doing more harm than good.)
> And will anyone send bail money if I get thrown into an overseas jail?
> ;-)
>
> I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts on this - feel free to email
> privately, if you prefer.
>
> Thanks,
> -cindy
>
>