i was wondering where can i go to pick my own corals. when i was in the bahamas they said i could but i had no where to store them until my trip was over. is there somewhere off the coast of florida or in the gulf?

It is illegal to collect any stony corals from the caribbean. This includes rock, skeletons, etc. You can collect softies, but it can have no more than 1 square inch of rock with it (or something along those lines). If you serach for information on collecting on the florida fish and game site, you'll see what legal.

Not a good idea, illegal to bring them back into the US and getting through customs would be close to impossible. Not to mention you don't have a liscense to remove corals and the fines are pretty rough!

This guy has been caught twice:
http://coastguardnews.com/florida-man-sentenced-for-illegal-coral-importing/2007/12/20/

http://sta.epa.gov.tw/cooperation/APEC%20MRC%20web/wwwroot/MRCP/e-pages/e-mrcp0601/e-mrcp060102.htm


http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/graphics/titles/diver_tips.gifhttp://floridakeys.noaa.gov/graphics/icons/spear.gif




Before booking a reef trip, check out weather conditions; its best not to go out in rough seas. Poor visibility, strong winds and waves reduce safe interaction at the reef.
Remember that even the lightest touch with hands or equipment can damage sensitive coral polyps.
Snorkelers should wear float coats — inflatable snorkel vests — to allow gear adjustment without standing on the coral. Never stand upon a coral reef!
To avoid contact with the ocean bottom, divers should only use the weight needed and practice proper buoyancy control. Areas that appear empty may support new growth if left undisturbed.
Avoid wearing gloves and touching or collecting marine life. Most tropical fish captured die within a year. Queen conch is a protected species, and cannot be taken.
Resist the temptation to feed fish, seabirds and marine mammals; it changes their natural behavior and diet.
Remember, its illegal to harvest coral in Florida and buying it at local shops only depletes reefs elsewhere in the world.
Bring back any trash you find and recycle it, if possible.
Snorkel aware, dive with care!

not without a permit to do so..and in US waters? Visit ya in prison. :)

yup thats a no go when I was in the bahamas they told us do not touch or take anything off the reef if you do then your short trip becomes 6 months in jail.

I know some divers that collect coral and fish off the platforms down in the GOM. Not sure on the legality but since its a man made structure thats cleaned every few years anyway I don't see it being a problem, just don't try and take pieces of the platform with the coral. :)

Also I doubt any prison times involved. I have some friends that got caught poaching lobster out in Santa Barbara and the penalty was just a stiff fine, like $1600 for a couple undersized.
So next time your diving down in Florida ask yourself how much are those ricordia really worth to you, might be cheaper than some of the prices I've seen on e-Bay. Just Joking. :)

okay i just finished talking to the state of fl fish and wildlife

i can get a saltwater fish permit and get up to 20 fish per day. there is a limitation on size and species (i will post it when she sends it to me). the permit is $17 for 3 days or $30 for 7 days or $47 for a year

so i am going to get some wrasse

oh yea and i ca n't sell them (i wasn't anyway i want them for my personal aquarium)

Haha good luck catching them! This isnt like a tank where you can corner them....ive tried to catch fish while diving for lobster for the heck of it and its impossible without cyanide.

there's a pump-like thing that back-siphons the fish into it--where you going??

Yeah but how much does that cost......

i am going off the coast of flordia.

what would i use the cyanide for? and how much do i need the girl in the movie shutter used all mine

check cites.com for any other regulations.

cites.org

the back-siphon type thing just costed like $20 in the keys--where are you going-specifically?? you DON'T want to use cyanide--they were joking-the cyanide-caught fish will die within a couple weeks.

oh, not to mention I think it's illegal too

yup thats a no go when I was in the bahamas they told us do not touch or take anything off the reef if you do then your short trip becomes 6 months in jail.


6 months in the bahamas with free housing and food!?

im just curious why you want to catch your own from the ocean?
id like to come watch you try to catch one lol

I assume he's going to be in the area so to speak, on a dive. I guess 30$ to be able to bring a net and play hide and go seek could be worth it.

Id expect to come back empty handed though, but the chase could still be fun.

edit: just realized the OP was planning to get corals, did they say if you can get corals? or is it fish only?

just hope she doesnt come back with a list of like, seabass, trout, ect lol.

I just read this thread and all kidding aside, have a good dive buddy that is not trying to catch fish with you at all times. The dive buddy should be looking out for your safety at all times and should have an underwater alert, even if its banging on a tank loudly. Also, make sure the captain knows what your doing and will allow you to bring a fish onto his boat.

The focus you will require to catch anything also puts you in danger.

I have 'slurped' fish several times from a privately owned boat on a snorkel and SNUBA, permits were differenet for each. Never had a permit for SCUBA, and I am very interested to hear what you can catch.

-Charles

"Kill only time. Take only pictures. Leave only bubbles."
Nuff said! Le Ann

"Kill only time. Take only pictures. Leave only bubbles."
Nuff said! Le Ann

+1. Leave it for the next guy to see.

I'm going to FL soon, anyone have like a big net or fish trap i can borrow? Commercial size is acceptable. LOL. It's it's liek 50 bux for a permit and you can get someone to ACTUALLY catch something it's not a bad buy. I remeber Seattle had something similar with shellfish. In low tide you can go out pretty far and catch like a crap ton and cook it on the beach. Lemme know if you ctach anything

I just got back from the Keys and the only thing you will be able to trap really will be pin fish and a few damsels. I know its cool to collect something and put it in your tank but its not gonna turn out well in the long run. I bought my fish down there from a collector and it was super cheap. Ive researched it alot.