David R Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=10840408 Biosecurity officers have raided the Auckland Botanic Gardens, apparently looking for an exotic relation to the kauri tree that may have been illegally introduced to the country. The homes of the gardens' curator, Jack Hobbs, and veteran Albany ecologist Graeme Platt were also targeted by Ministry of Primary Industries staff in simultaneous raids just after dawn on Thursday. Officers were believed to be looking for evidence of agathis silbae, an exotic member of the kauri tree family native to several Pacific islands. ... Officers would not tell him what they were looking for, but Platt, 71, believed it was evidence of agathis silbae. The tree cannot be brought into New Zealand because it was not in the country before a 1997 law banned new plant imports. But Platt said the tree was here before 1997 under a different name, agathis macrophylla. It had two names because New York botanist John Silba mistakenly thought he had discovered a new species and named it after himself. "This clown has named it after himself, but it's the same as the agathis macrophylla. (The ministry) have even called the raids Operation Silbae, for a non-existent tree due to one idiot in New York." The tree was no threat and fears it could cross with native kauri were wrong because a hybrid could never wipe out the original, Platt said. I'm just looking at my tank full of Geophagus altifrons, which aren't technically on the list, and wondering when the cops are going to pull into my driveway. Could this article be the catalyst we need to get some changes made to the way the import of foreign species of plant/fish are handled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 hahahahahahaahahahahahahahaahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahaahhahahahahahahahahaha just rename your fish claiming you have a new species Geophagus davidus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I just can't fathom that they wouldn't check for synonyms before launching a raid for a supposed illegal species. :facepalm: It does make you wonder about the implications for our hobby though, the number of incorrectly identified species that manage to find their way in.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aotealotl Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 the number of incorrectly identified species that manage to find their way in.... are we still allowed to import Axolotle ? (I just have had a fraudulent thought, just for a moment, no worries, it passed already) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 sadly it won't be the last time this happens lack of research and information :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I don't think that axies have ever been approved for import. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I'm wondering why it required a dawn raid! :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I'm wondering why it required a dawn raid! :roll: Easy ... so that they can claim time and half. Or, the birds aren't awake yet and so can't warn the curator! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I'm wondering why it required a dawn raid! :roll: shortly after dawn could be the media's way of saying 10am :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Sounds like another stuff up by Biosecurity. Someone in Biosecurity has stuffed up if the article is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#!CrunchBang Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Yeah, the people working at biosecurity seem to forget about doing any research, Agathis macrophylla is the one they plant along roads, not even the native Kauri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 So could we somehow use this to draw attention to the woeful system they have in place, or do we risk having a blanket ban until they figure something better out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 wonder what Biosecurity make of the L-Number plecos if they can't ID a plant thats common anyways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 More to the point how could they formally identify a fish with no scientific description? There are many approved species on the list that are simply Genus L#, no species name... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 sadly a blanket ban is the easiest option for the powers that be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Outrageous! boycott all the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 There are many approved species on the list that are simply Genus L#, no species name. All well and good , no need to point that out as it works in our favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 All well and good , no need to point that out as it works in our favour. Exactly, thats the problem. Say nothing and put up with the current system and its "flaws" that work in our favour, or inform them of those flaws and propose a better system and run the risk of either it being accepted or rejected in favour of a total ban or tighter restrictions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 i am afraid it does not work that way, MAf want to reduce the fish coming in. give them a inch and they will take the whole 9 yards, i think i am in a good position to know how it all works. nothing is easy when working with MAF. fixing the flaws will stuff up getting in some species. i am sure that is not what you will want. I added the L number to the allowable list so change it and it will be the end as there will be more bureaucracy to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 That is exactly what I am concerned about, they would be looking for any excuse to dump fish importing in the too hard basket and ban or restrict it further. I'm surprised they let you add something without a valid species name, wonder if they even realise..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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