Dear Fred:
Yes, sir, you’re quite correct — Ocean Rider (seahorse.com) does have a strict policy against selling any of their livestock within the State of Hawaii. This limitation is necessary to prevent the accidental or intentional release of seahorses that are not native to the islands into Hawaiian waters where they may have a negative impact on endemic seahorses and ecosystems.
The release of captive specimens is widely acknowledged to have the potential to do considerable harm under certain circumstances. The primary concerns are that such releases could introduce diseases into seahorse populations, could pose genetic threats to wild populations, and could disrupt the structure and normal function of seahorse communities, and may therefore actually result in extirpations (localized extinctions) of native seahorses. I’m glad that you can understand the rationale behind Ocean Rider’s policy in that regard, Fred.
However, the fact that Ocean Rider cannot provide livestock for you will have no effect whatsoever on the training lessons since you do not have to have Ocean Rider seahorses, or seahorses of any kind, in order to participate in the training course. In short, Fred, I would be happy to enroll you in the Ocean Rider seahorse training program and I will get you started off with the first lesson immediately. Look for in your inbox later today, sir.
In the meantime, Fred, I will be very grateful if you could send me a brief reply to this message that includes your full name (first and last), which I need for my records. And it will also help me to provide you with the best possible guidance if you can tell me a little more about the marine aquariums that you are currently keeping, especially if one of them will be serving as your seahorse setup.
Best wishes with all your fishes (and invertebrates), Fred!
Happy Trails!
Pete Giwojna
Ocean Rider, Inc. is an Organic Hawaiian-Based Seahorse Aqua-Farm & Aquarium that Follows Strict Good Farming Practices in Raising Seahorses and Other Aquatic Life.
