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