From the Presidents Desk - February 2012
Another month has flown by, another
month closer to the Convention in Winnipeg, April 6-8. Hope to see
as many of you as possible there. Check out the link to see the
events and speakers. This month, we are back to club events:
Feb. 11 – Durham Region Aquarium Society dinner with Hernan Lopez-Fernadez
on The Found Fishes of the Lost World.
Feb. 12 Regular CAOAC Meeting at 12:00 p.m. – at out last meeting we
decided to go back to the regular monthly meeting in Waterdown.
There will be an invitation only Awards meeting at 9:00 a.m. and
there will be a special coordination meeting at 11:00 a.m. for
anyone interested in helping out at the first CAOAC/Ontario Reptile
Expo Auction to be held May 27 at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto.
Feb. 19 Tropical Fish Club of Erie County Auction – a great auction
for finding unique things.
Speaking of cross border auctions, I have been in touch with the
head of the CFIA Aquatic Animals program regarding the status of the
new importation regulations. The regulations became law in December,
however to facilitate trade they have decided that there won’t be
enforcement over the coming year but education for persons bringing
in fish. I understand that some people have already had problems
importing fish and it would be very helpful if you would report any
difficulties to me so that we can relay them back to CFIA.
They are working on a form for
hobbyists to import Schedule III fish (those that would normally
require permits) however they are not contemplating a form for all
of the other fish we import. I’m hoping that they will reconsider
this course of action. I’m happy to report that all of our members
renewed in January, although a couple were just in the nick of time,
and that we have two new members: The Greater Victoria Aquaria
Society and Turtle S.H.E.L.L. Tortue.
All the best for February, hope your still sticking to those
resolutions.
Bob