Albino clownfish and the Law

[459b]

Im still not sure what word best describes this moning. Frustrating, unbelievable and bizaare come close. It was almost like a bad episode on the twilight zone - you sit watching, processing everything but its still makes absolutly no scense and seems too surreal to be happening.
Marcel got arrested.
As many of you know, Macel is applying for permits to breed ornamental marine fish commercially. Being the first person in the Western Cape to apply to do this, no governmental department knew exactly what/which/who he needed. And so began the long process being passed from person to person and between every department that may at some point deal with aquaculture. The whole thing reached its pinnacle early this morning when the Fisheries officers came to inspect his facility (again). Even though Marcel has done what he has been told and is in the proccess of obtaining all relevent permits...the officers insist he is in the wrong and arrested him. He spent two hours locked up in a holding cell while being threatened to be moved to Parow prison.
His crime - - having marine livestock and breeding. Amazing what being completly honest with the government officials gets you.
He has been released and will appear in court tomo morning.

 

[Dane]

You've got to be kidding me.... Bastards! This is taking beaurocracy too far!

I mean, technically he was operating without a license (or was he???????) but surely they understand that he has been desperately trying to get a permit?? He's been applying for months and no one has been able to help him!??

If they cant tell him what permit to get on what grounds can they arrest him?? That is such bull shit!

 

[fishguy]

Typical!! I cant handle that. what was he charged for?

 

[459b]

It really was shocking. Eight inspectors showed up.
Marcel went to the aurthorities right from the start and has been working closely with them to get things sorted out. Western Cape is a tad strict about living things. His permits are busy being processed but the Inspectors dont care, cause they dont deal with that department.

 

[459b]

what was he charged for?

breeding marine organisms

 

[Trev]

Oh my word Dave / Marcel that is crazy, but watch how this thing blows up on the international stage when they get wind of it.

Absolutely crazy

 

[Dane]

WHAT!!?? That is RIDICULOUS!

I mean, trust me. I am the first to encourage a "hard line" with these sort of environmental regulations. But that is just so so so unbelievably over the top. Bureaucratic bullshit!

 

[Trev]

breeding marine organisms

Every Marine Aquariust breeds marine organisms of many different species

Tinfoil hats anyone

 

[JD167]

Unbelievable.

 

[fishguy]

Wow what a crime, a friend of mines son got killed by a drunken driver and got off with a R16000 fine, R10000 for mansaughter an 6 for drunken driving. It just shows where priority lies. Its actually just sad. Well best of luck to Marel, he,l get through it, I mean if the man breeds albino clowns, im sure he can do anything.

 

[butcherman]

His crime - - having marine livestock and breeding.

If this is the case shouldnt everyone here then be arrested?

I hope Marcel can sort this out asap!!

 

[459b]

international stage when they get wind of it

they already know.

What frustrats me the most is the attitude they had. They see it as arresting a criminal and their boss will now be proud of them. There is a bit of grey area in what permits to get but its nothing a meetng with all the relevent players cannot fix in an afternoon.
What impact will this stunt have on the future of ornamental fish breeding in this country?

 

[maxisoft]

That sucks big time....

Is there no one in the forum who can assist with this?
Should we not be forwarding some kind of formal complaint?

 

[Muz]

I am not sure how to respond.. it does not seem like there is a clear cut law or I am sure he would have applied before setting up. I hope my turbos dont have babies.

 

[459b]

If this is the case shouldnt everyone here then be arrested?

exactly! And the inspectors didnt know that you can buy Nemos at shops. They accused him of importig illegally...

Tinfoil hats anyone

Do you have the required mining permit for that?

 

[dallasg]

USA is strict like this, especially with corals crossing statelines, i see them talk on RC and they need a permit for everything.

i got arrested for doing a u-turn there in '96.

what those contact details i emailed you, call then and see

 

[dallasg]

call 702 and ask for John robbie
he will sort this out

 

[459b]

Marcel will be posting later - hes a little busy getting things ready for tomo.

There is no clear cut law in the western cape at the moment. The closest permit is for Aquaculture, but that requires a bunch of things that are not needed for land based recirculation systems.

 

[Jeann1]

Sucks.. So should everyone have some kind of a permit then?

 

[LuckyFish]

Im still not sure what word best describes this moning.

No problem, bud. These pictures will do.
Thanks for being there with my in the worst morning I ever experienced in SA.
You were probably to stunned to take a decent picture of mine behind bars.