Cannon Netting (twitching and science]

[Ronald Orenstein <>]

At 01:18 AM 07/03/01 +1030, Kym Bennet wrote:
> We
> have obtained sufficient knowledge now to allow the phasing out of this
> process in favor of more passive field observing techniques to further
> expand the information base.  With the use of advanced technology in
> video, photography, optics, infrared, night vision, radar, sound
> recording and other techniques combined with mobility options that were
> never previously feasible, we should be able to obtain results which are
> adequate for most study purposes. 

Excuse me, but on what do you base this statement?  Can you please
demonstrate that we have, in fact, obtained "sufficient
knowledge" to phase out at technique that, whenever you may think of
it, provides information that none of the other techniques you suggest
can replace, including information on weight, molt condition, and general
physical health, plus the ability to attach rings to the birds so that
individuals can be identified later?

It would seem to me that instead of attacking everyone who uses the
technique, it might be better to identify the problems that it may create
and work on ways to minimize them.  I think it is fair to say that
the kind of mortality that concerns you does not happen in every use of
the technique, so there must be good and bad ways to go about it. 
If we could eliminate the bad, we would go a long way towards answering
your concerns without giving up on something that has been proven to be a
valuable conservation tool at a time when, more than ever, we need all
the conservation tools we can get.

--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
1825 Shady Creek Court                
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          m("home.com","ornstn");" eudora="autourl">: