Can I collect from the Ocean in So. California?

[PetMountain.com]

I am thinking about changing my 55 gallon freshwater tank into a Saltwater tank. I like to snokel off the rock reefs in So. California.

I was wondering what the laws might be about taking rock, plants and possibly fish from the ocean?

I dont know - and dont want to get in trouble - any advice would help!

Thanks in advance!

[hooked82]

It would be best to check with the local authorities to see the regulations with it. They should be able to tell you everything you need to know to answer your question. Or at least point you in the right direction.
HTH

[PetMountain.com]

Such as the Fish and Game Warden? Makes sense! Any reasons why I shouldnt collect from the ocean - heard any horror stories?

[BoomerD]

Well, the rocks off the Kahleeforneeya coast aren't "live rock" in the sense that we use in the hobby, and won't do much for your biological filtration in the tank. Mostly sedimentary or volcanic rocks, PLUS, with the levels of pollution of our coast, I don't know if I'd want to put anything from the ocean in MY tank anyway.
Another major factor to be considered, is temperature. Kahleeforneeya's waters are MUCH cooler than our tropical tanks, and most of the things you'd collect either won't live at all, or will have a greatly reduced life at the normal temperatures in our tanks. Depending on where you'd do your collecting, it may be legal for some things, or it may NOT. Lots of the coastline is considered to be a marine sanctuary, and it's illegal to collect or fish in them.
Here's the on-line Ocean fishing regs for 2006:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/oceanfish2006.pdf

[PetMountain.com]

Great info thanks for your help!

[BoomerD]

Being in the SoCal area, gt your live rock from Jeff's Exotic fish. GREAT prices, especially if you don't have to pay shipping!
http://www.exoticfish.com/results.cfm?cat=0|1977|1690|0|0&

[PetMountain.com]

Checked out the site- looks awesome, lots of different items in one site!

If you ever need any reef supplies (Fish Food, lighting, water conditioners, Reef Food) let me know Ill hook you up!

[silverwolf72]

As far as I'm aware all california beaches are concidered santuaries and you are not allowed to remove anything from them

[burning2nd]

couple things,

why i would, cause its free, (what they dont see cant hurt)

would i want to. no Ive red peoples storys about geting stuff from the ocean, and puting it in there tank and have everything die from parasites.

if you do, you should Qt what ever you get for a long time,


also ive red about a "killer algae", thats over there somewhere, takeing over the coast line or something, so i would be careful
and reserch it first

[Warnberg]

Originally Posted by burning2nd

couple things,

why i would, cause its free, (what they dont see cant hurt)

However if you are caught you are in big trouble. Check with your local Fish and Game to see what is allowed to collect. Most places that do allow collection also require a valid salt water fishing license.

Originally Posted by burning2nd

also ive red about a "killer algae", thats over there somewhere, takeing over the coast line or something, so i would be careful
and reserch it first

I believe what you are referring to is RED TIDE, this normally occurs in very warm waters, when it does happen you will not even see any fish IN the water but they will be all over the place floating and I am sure you will not want to get into the water.

Just my 2 cents

[burning2nd]

no not red tide, i was refering

http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/html/...ler_algae.html

that

[BoomerD]

Heh...if you read that link, you'll see that unfortunately,we aquarists are responsible for that "killer algae" you speak of...

[lcstorc]

So let me see if I have this right.
You don't care about reefs in nature and the natural balance we destroy every day?
I am not big on having a lot of laws in general, but when they are put there to protect our environment i take them seriously.
If the laws allow then I would say it is fine. Many informed people help determine what is protected and what is not. I am willing to just take their word for it, but if they felt strongly enough to create a law protecting a certain animal, area, etc then I for one feel it should be respected and obeyed.

Sorry for ranting.

[burning2nd]

no thats true, and i hope poeple follow the rules, (but most of the time they dont)

so did you determine if you aloud to take stuff? what spot is it? where exacatly are you diveing at?


as far as being the problem, i know, every day we make the problem worse for the next,

that why im not haveing kids.

[Charlie97L]

i see the big problem is that california/oregon/washington are mostly cold water areas. no tropical fish, except in some areas around san francisco, i think...

cold water tanks are a mess to deal with... you can't use a normal tank, as it will sweat. steve weast on RC does have a 500 gallon (or so) cold water tank, but it's like 4" thick acrylic or something crazy so it won't perspire (like your cold drink does)... he's also running a super $$$$$ chiller.

outside of the keys and selected other areas, you won't really find tropical reef creatures that are suitable for keeping using the standards we've all come to know.