AandA2VI - Question for You!

I can only speak for many years ago when I collected a load of gorgeous shells from Sanibel. You didn't have to even look for them as they were right there in piles and piles. I've been carting them around for a couple of decades and have them to this day in a big basket.

Sanibel has rules about collecting shells, but it is still advertised as a popular tourist activity. Is it "eco-friendly?" My opinion is that it all depends upon how it's done. There are rules against taking live shells and sand dollars, but I can't believe that people don't, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

http://www.sanibelisland.com/shelling.html

I highly doubt that they shells would become a mount everest, the tide forces would eventually pound them to sand. The website says because of the unique orientation of the beach is why so many shells wash up - so I imagine any thrown out would come back again.

Sanibel Island does have hermit crabs, so yes someone uses the empty shells. 🙂

Like this story. She meant well, but those crabs are probably not going to survive:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g34616-i231-k5473717-What_do_you_do_when_you_find_a_hermit_crab_in_your_shells-Sanibel_Island_Florida.html

ETA: And reading the response of some of the posters about how they pull out the hermit crabs and keep the shells because the crabs are just "squatters" really chaps me. Annoyed face :-X

Do you know anything about the shells at Sanibel Island? I saw an article on Google that said something about the sea carrying shells there like litter on the closest shore.

I do know a LITTLE about the island. Particularly that's its MADE of shells. There are very few islands like it in the world and with its rising popularity in tourists going to the island JUST to collect shells.... that's not good.

1. Are there creatures on Sanibel that use the empty shells?

A: YES!!! There are TONS of critters that live in dead shells: Even if YOU can see them they are there. Amphipods and copepods are likely the largest number of animals that live in empty shells. These tiny "bug" looking, plankton sized crustaceans are sometimes the ONLY food for larval fishes t the shoreline. Of course they also house hermits, small juvenile fish, octopus, nudibranches, and many other animals. On land the empty shells provide shelter for land "bugs" and terrestrial crabs which are subsequently food for some of the migratory birds such as turns, seagulls, sandpipers, and herons. The shallow water shells hide small crabs which feed the endangered roseate spoonbill, a BEAUTIFUL bird!

2. If you put a/those shell(s) back in the water near Sanibel, would they just come back again?

A: Probably. Its really a matter of the shell's size and weight along with weather/wave conditions. Really no way to tell but they will over time break down to help keep the calcium levels stable and of course enlarging the size of the island iteself.

3. If those shells aren't collected, would the island eventually be a Mount Everest of shells?

A: Not really.... they will break down, but it can take a very, very long time. They get pounded by the waves and sand and erode down to calcium particles, again breaking down into much needed calcium in the water column. Without calcium stony and large polyp stony corals can not grow. This is a really cool article with pics of microscopic samples of sand... see all the shells??? COOL! http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjun01/clsand.html

4. Is it eco-friendly to take shells from Sanibel?

A: IMO no. There are may reasons for this. First as before mentioned they break down creating sand and also house the aerobic bacteria's that help break down waste in the ocean. Secondly the homes they provide for crustaceans, juvenile fish and places for coral to colonize. I found this quote and I literally LOLed "Seashells have proved resilient, too. At a time when fish stocks are down and coral reefs are dying, Mr. Leal said seashells — made by mollusks mostly from the calcium carbonate in seawater — continue to thrive." THRIVE; YOU IDIOT???? These are shells of creatures that have died. Maybe by predatory causes but more likely by ocean warming and water chemistry issues. UGH. Read this thread on snail shells thinning: http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0313-hance_shells.html

Thanks for your response. So glad you're willing to educate us!

No problem, I am NOT a marine biologist so I wont say all my information is concrete but I have been part of the marine aquarium community for over 12 years. I think I have a pretty good grasp on marine chemistry but I am always learning new and amazing things about our oceans. Ive also fragmented MANY species of captive grown corals. I guess when it comes down to it, is that its always better to leave nature in its place. Weather its a shell, a birds nest, plant, flower, whatever. I realize that its super temping to take shells, heck they are BEAUTIFUL.

My best analogy would be: remember that game "Ker-Plunk". the one where you pull the sticks and try not to make the marbles fall?? Well I see it simplified as that. Each stick is one "stress" were putting on the ocean. Sticks can be pollution, shell collection, sand collection, over fishing, global warming.... eventually were gonna pull too many sticks and the marbles will fall.

IMHO the issue is that people take TOO MANY. How many shells you you really NEED?? The main problem is quantity and the overall message that's its OK to TAKE. If YOU take ONE (non live) shell off the beach will it do horrible damage? Likely not. The problem is that when done on a massive scale, such as Sanibel's self proclaimed "shell collectors" who take in buckets, it becomes a problem.

I WILL say that I think it is NEVER OK to take "live shells" with creatures in them. PLEASE do not do this!!!!!

Whoops sending a PM. 🙂

Doesn't matter - it's world wide so your decision re: how you wish to proceed to continue treating the planet may be dependant on NOT purchasing shells from anywhere, in anything made for consumer explotation and leaving things where they are found. It doesn't make me either happy or unhappy and I am not jumping on you......just the concept and awareness that many may not, presently, have about how fragile our ecology is these days and what's right worng and unltimately beneficial.

Wait, are you jumping on me? Because I wasn't espousing anything about how I treat the planet and exploitation, because you would be wrong...I'm an aquatic biologist, specializing in herpetology...I hope that wasn't meant for me! Because if you were directing that at me, I am VERY offended, and you have not spent near enough time getting to know me.

Did I miss something??

My comment was directed at Alana33 - was she actually talking to you, AandA2VI?

Thanks, AandA2VI. I respect your opinion so I'll continue to discourage shell collecting ANYWHERE. Sigh. I felt so good buying the beautiful queen conch shell from a fisherman in the Bahamas, because he really looked like he needed the money. Now that I'm educated, I ve started giving locals what I would pay for some of their fresh catch, but just take a photo instead. They LOVE that idea! I usually give $5, which is the minimum I'd probably pay for a souvenir from the island, and I have more creative license with a photo than of an object I purchased that probably wasn't from the island.

A local photograph is worth more than a made-in-China souvenir IMO. I gladly give a few bucks for a photograph that I own the rights to. It's a small price to pay for creative license I think.

IDK who was talking to who Julie lol.

MS, thats a cool idea, of course I too like taking pictures 😀

It is a changing time that we live in, especially for tourists visiting different islands (or states) with different rules. Hopefully with enough education, things will change. I always have hope! 🙂

Thank you AandA and ms411 for your efforts here. I think a lot of people have had some new insights! xo

Well, AandA2VI, have you posted those lovely photos on pinterest? My Caribbean wildlife boards are kind of empty right now, because I don't have the best equipment. I'm thinking that from now on, I'll be sharing my creative ideas on that site, so if you also post there, I can pin your photos to my board.

I hate facebook, but love pinterest!

I'm an aquatic biologist, specializing in herpetology..

A fellow herp lover.... You would have LOVED my poison dart frogs then! I used to breed several species including Mantellas for re-population of Madagascar. One of my favorite parts was the layout of the terrarium with all the live mosses, waterfalls and bromeliads. So beautiful! I found a pic of one of my old set ups. This was like 7 years ago but I do miss those frogs.

Wait, are you jumping on me? Because I wasn't espousing anything about how I treat the planet and exploitation, because you would be wrong...I'm an aquatic biologist, specializing in herpetology...I hope that wasn't meant for me! Because if you were directing that at me, I am VERY offended, and you have not spent near enough time getting to know me.

Sorry - nope wasn't directing this at anybody in particular in this forum really so didn't mean to ruffle any feathers!:-o

Wait, are you jumping on me? Because I wasn't espousing anything about how I treat the planet and exploitation, because you would be wrong...I'm an aquatic biologist, specializing in herpetology...I hope that wasn't meant for me! Because if you were directing that at me, I am VERY offended, and you have not spent near enough time getting to know me.

Sorry - nope wasn't directing this at anybody in particular in this forum really so didn't mean to ruffle any feathers!:-o

I'm sorry, I was on a short trigger last night. My apologies for mid-reading!