Collecting Permit Ideas

[Chris Conlan]

Well, thought I would toss in my two cents worth so here goes (go easy on
me flamewise, I still only have a 14.4K modem!).  Firstly, I have to agree
with Doug on the economics of the permit thing.  There just are not enough
people interested in going on an insect collecting expedition (and paying
the extra permit fee) to make it worth the government's time and effort to
devote an agency to this.  Unless it were to become as popular as fishing
it just ain't gonna happen.
However, the main argument for not being able to issue a permit in the
absence of rigorous enforcement and handy expertise seems to be that
someone might abuse that permit.  I view this as maybe just a bit too
pessimistic.  Yes, a few jerks will abuse the priviledge but that's life.
If so few people are interested in collecting in the first place and only a
tiny handful of this subset are uncaring jerks who would take too many
specimens or some endangered species, is that really enough to can the
whole idea?  Should we revoke driving priviledges for all because someone
might drive drunk?  Why not tack the permitting process to an agency that
already exists and just do spot checks for enforcement?  If they would
leave the darn habitat intact it could easily withstand a small percentage
of people abusing the system (as much as we all hate that....but it would
happen).  Now, will this happen?????  Yeah, right after pigs fly!  I think
there is a lot more to this than meets the eye and we may never get the
whole story as to why it is so difficult to get permits in some countries.
Oh well, just some thoughts from somebody who is tired and should not be up
this late.....good night all.

Chris

PS  I gotta say that the gift shop approach to getting specimens really
doesn't float my boat either.  It seems that would just take all the fun
and adventure out of it for a lot of folks.