Robert Wintner is an author and founder of Snorkel Bob’s shops throughout Hawaii. This guy has made a big business selling snorkel gear to tourists and locals. He has written several books in which have been poorly received with a catchet of reviews. Recently he wrote an editorial piece about the Dark Hobby, or as you might know it: the home aquarium trade. The article was for the Sea Shepherd conversation society. If you haven’t heard of the Sea Shepherd group they are some of the folks involved with the show called “Whale Wars”, where boats try to block whaling ships by spraying water and what not. In the Dark Hobby article, Robert argues that keeping home aquaria has led to the downfall of several species in Hawaii including “2-10 million yellow tangs per year” and that home aquaria should be banned. Robert continues with other strange and unsourced quotes in his editorial piece.
Rob continues and attacks Reef Check International and CORAL claiming that Reef Check is an apologist/front group for the aquarium trade. In the end Rob says that “if you see an aquarium, ask that it be taken down for the sake of the reefs, the fish and us.” You’ll want to click the read link below to get a great laugh at Mr. Snorkel Bob.
via [Sea Shepherd]
