The Mariana Trench In Perspective.

[-kg-]

I've known about the disappearing coral reefs for some years now. Yes, in a mere decade or two there has been a significant loss in the ocean's coral reefs, and it takes centuries for them to form. They form a great deal of structure for marine life, and if they go, the majority of the other marine life associated with them goes right with them.

It has the potential to have a devastating impact on marine life in the ocean at large.

[Ice.Maiden]

So true, and has a domino effect on birds which might've fed on the fish, and mammals which might've fed on the birds, etc. If you once upset the balance of nature, everything slowly falls apart.

[NoMercy]

And they sell loads of the stuff in shops in Cyprus. Anyone who buys coral should be prosecuted for trying to take it into the UK.

[Ice.Maiden]

Yes, it's wrong - in the same way that ivory and tortoise shell is.

[NoMercy]

Don't get me started on the pet shops here. !!

They sell tiny puppies which are housed in glass cages. Some of these pups are no bigger than my hand (and i've got little hands). They look so sad.

We popped into La Plaza Mayor shopping centre today in Gandia and there was a French Bulldog pup (probably 4 weeks old) in a glass cage just lying there looking with such sad eyes. An 845euro price ticket on the glass.

[pastafreak]

You CAN bring coral into the UK....but need a permit.......you would have to be pretty determined to have to get the paperwork for that....or so I am guessing.

Items for which you need an import permit

If you're considering buying an exotic wildlife souvenir abroad, you should check with Animal Health, preferably before you leave the UK. They will tell you whether the species involved is protected and, if so, how to get a CITES permit.

For example, you will usually need a permit to bring back anything on the following list:

* coral - including jewellery and ornaments
* queen conch shells - including jewellery and ornaments
* many species of orchids and cacti
* most reptile-skin products, including handbags, purses and shoes
* caviar in amounts over 125g

[pilvikki]

what gets me is WHY these items are on somebody's Must Have list? i'm pretty sure most of us would survive rather nicely without these -- as well as snakes, pet tigers, whalebobe corsettes etc.

[Ice.Maiden]

These things are tribal in a way - a must-have trophy from some poor dead creature.

[-kg-]

Yes. You know..."It's all the rage, Dah-ling!"

[Ice.Maiden]

Yes...that some poor turtle's been scooped from its shell whilst still alive, so that someone can use a fancy ashtray!!! Disgraceful.

[pilvikki]

[background music: "people are strange when you're a stranger..."]

[Ice.Maiden]

Hey Vikki - ever tried a whalebone corset on??? Those damn stays stick into you. Suppose it's the whale's way of saying: serves you right!

[pilvikki]

wouldn't you have to be HUGE to be able to have a good fit?

[-kg-]

Suppose it's the whale's way of saying: serves you right!

Or: "That's what you get!"

[pilvikki]

in my dark ages i had whale steak. i still feel guilty...

[Ice.Maiden]

True, Glenn.

Lol - all whalebone corsets come in all sizes Vikki - although many of them are called that, but actually made of other materials now - thank goodness.
I wouldn't berate yourself for trying whale meat. Until quite recently, folk weren't so aware of the cruelty that goes on. I have a.... crocodile handbag or two... snakeskin items, a lizard skin purse and the fur coats - mainly handed down to me. I would, and do, use the handbags now and again, but they're old. It doesn't excuse what went off to turn them into these items, but I have them, so I'll use certain ones. I would never buy from an endangered species though, or where something'd been killed solely for it's fur and so on.

[pilvikki]

it's truly ridiculous but i don't feel too bad about them crocs, never liked the looks of them. on the other hand, the python shoes i bought in germany make me twinge a bit...