with acetone added by some collectors to draw the fish from protective 

 cover. Studies, however, have indicated that acetone can be harmful 

 to gill membranes and liver. Quinaldine is absorbed primarily through 

 the gills and concentrates initially in the brain (Brandenburger Brown 

 et al , 1972) (Hess Steberg, 1979). Recovery usually occurs rapidly once 

 the fish is removed from the drugged water (1-10 minutes). 



Concern for possible adverse effects of the widespread use of 

 quinaldine on the marine environment has led to its regulation by the 

 Florida DNR (since 1973) and a few preliminary studies on its open water 

 use. Jaap and Wheaton of FDNR stated in 1975 that "quinaldine treatment 

 induced no long term damage to octocorals (soft corals) and only slight 

 damage to two scleractinian specimens". The effects of quinaldine on 

 larval fishes and invertebrates are still unknown. There are obvious 

 advantages to the use of quinaldine in difficult terrain and deep water 

 collecting but "collecting with drugs is also very efficient and 

 contributes to the decline of marine tropicals on the reefs" (Moe, 1958). 

 Collecting with drugs may also lower the quality/health of fish sold 

 by collectors (personal communication, Bigford, 1980). 



Bleaches, used also for collecting in the past are now prohibited 

 in Florida waters. Although regulating the use of quinaldine should restrict 

 its use to experienced collectors, some unskilled part time collectors 

 use quinaldine improperly thereby resulting in unnecessary mortality to 

 fishes and other marine organisms. 



Although most of the marine specimens sold in today's U.S. aquarium 

 industry come from the marine environment, tropical fish are successfully 

 raised in captivity and sold commercially as well (Moe, 1980). Raising 

 fish in aquaria for commercial sale although not now economically 

 competitive with harvesting in the natural environment could eventually 

 be a viable alternative to tropical fish collecting at Looe Key. 



Unregulated tropical specimen collecting in the marine sanctuary 

 would allow unlimited collecting of Looe Key reef species by commercial 

 and amateur collectors as long as there is a market and fish and invertebrates 

 to harvest. It appears that there is and continues to be considerable 

 growth of the market for marine aquarium hobby products in recent years 

 (Hess and Stevely, 1978). The economic take per year in Boundary Alternative 

 #2 is estimated at $25,000 to $43,000 or $80,075 to $137,725 using regional 

 multipliers. While this return is probably not great for any one collector, 

 it does contribute limited econcmiic benefit to the region. It is likely, 

 however, that the harvest could be taken from adjacent areas with an 

 equivalent minimal socio-economic impact. 



b. Restrict tropical specimen collecting (marine life fishing) 

 to those with NOAA permits within all boundary alternatives and to non- 

 chemical techniques. ~ 



Restricting tropical specimen collecting to those individuals 

 with permits will limit marine specimen collecting within the sanctuary 

 to only those persons demonstrating a knowledge of tropical marine species 

 and the most accepted and non-damaging techniques for harvesting tropical 

 fishes and invertebrates. Requiring permits would not impose a significant 



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