shell collecting

I am a shell collector and would like to know if i can collect sea shells on the seashore DEAD SPECIMENS NOT LIVE!!!If answer is yes can you tell me the best place to collect. Thank you
tom

There seem to be more available in the islands than more developed places like Australia. However, you would need to be more specific about where you want to travel, time frame, budget etc.

We are going to the COOK ISLAND and AITUTAKI FOR 7 DAYS
THANKS
TOM

The "dead" shells as you call them are also part of the ecosystem of the beach. In Aitutaki I saw some shells but most of them were inhabited by hermit crabs. Although it's tempting, I would not recommend taking them with you, even when they're empty.

You're probably not even allowed to take shells out of the country, or bringing them with you to your country for that matter. I know in the Netherlands you get a fine if they find endangered shell species in your luggage.

I always make a nice shell "collage" on the beach and take a photo of them.

You do not say where you are from. Australia has the strictest quarantine regulations in the world, but it is still possible to bring in shell products provided they are declared on the incoming passenger card, are completely clean, and are not from an endangered species.

If collecting shells is your thing I'd suggest Aitu vs Aitutaki. Aitutaki has an extended lagoon all around the island and you won't find many shells on the main island's beaches. The outlying motu of Aitutaki may offer better spots however.

The islands of Aitu, Mauke, Mangaia and Mitiaro have surrounding reefs much closer to the main islands and numerous small beaches that are great for beachcombing and shell hunting. Especially after a storm.

Edited by: H2ooh

To Ozigiraffe.
I am also from oz [sunshine coast] and a do know the rules about shells , never had any problem with custom allways declared , inspected and passed.
The surest way is to put your shells in a plastic bag and pour a little detol in the bag , it will kill any inpurities but do not leave the shells in 2 long.

How do you delete a message?

Edited by: justmeandtheworld

I totally agree with Lilau on this one. Not only are empty shells available for new homes for hermit crabs. Those that aren't used break down into sand, thus ensuring the completion of the life cycle.

I'm definitely one of those who believes you should look, enjoy, but take nothing away. And yes, it is true that some countries do not allow importation of shell products, the same as for coral.

I'm in agreement with #3 and #8. Shells are part of the ecosystem and it would be good if they were left as part of it.

RE: posts #'s 3, 8 & 9

I'm not a shell collector.... but.... I don't think taking a few shells from little-visited beaches in places like the Cooks will be detrimental to the environment. I know, I know, their are folks who will say any little bit will make a difference, but from a practical perspective it has an infinitesimal impact.

And... hermit crabs typically utilize univalve shells and rarely if ever inhabit bivalve halves. So you not making a hermit crab homeless by taking a scallop shell.

You'll probably make less of an impact on the environment by taking a shell or two from a beach in the outer islands than you would if you bought a Chinese-made souvenir in Rarotonga.

If you really want to make a difference, especially for sea life, stop using disposable plastic bags and bottles.

In a world of 6.9 billion people, every little bit adds up to a significant amount.

Fortunately only 75,000 a year of the 6.9 billion visit the Cook Islands. Of these I'd guess fewer than 25,000 per year bother to visit the outer islands.

If one-third of the visitors took 5 shells each, (still unlikely) you're looking at 4,000 lbs of material.

A good storm will deposit or remove thousands of tons of material from the beaches of the CI group. This happens multiple times every year.

Your concern is similar to the lighting of a candle contributing to global warming.

But what if 6.9 billion people decided to pick up 5 shells from a beach in the world? or dumped 5 plastic bags each in the ocean?

I'm sure that taking a few shells is within the assimilative capacity of that ecosystem, but there comes a tipping point. We can't keep taking from the environment and mindlessly thinking - oh I'll just take this one, won't do any harm, like the OP is. There is a bigger picture here. My comments are just intended for the OP to think about their actions. That's all.

BB don't take shells. The Cook Islands will go under and then all the islanders will want to come to Australia.

Thought some of you might be interested in this link. Certainly some locals are becoming concerned even if some overseas shell collectors are not.

http://www3.cookislandsnews.com/2011/June/Wed08/other.htm#1106041109

I used to pick up the pretty shells that I saw.

But then I saw basketfuls of beautiful ones on sale in the 99 Cents store in the S.tates. They were imported from the P.hilippines. I came across a (pretty large) shop that sold seashells for not much money, There were a ton of them - very cheap and imported from places like I.ndia and the P.hilippines Seeing so many just made me want to cry. I imagined them gathering the shells with a bulldozer. Now I only take photos and memories leaving the shells there for others to enjoy. (It's wonderful to see one on the beach. It would be sad if they were only found in souvenier shops.)

As for the motu of A.itutaki - I spent a week kayaking around and it's not a destination for shell collectors.

Periods in place names to avoid creepy LP links.

silvanocat...

I agree, the real damage is caused by commercial exploitation. Not only in removal of the specific resource but, in many cases, destruction of habitat and non-targeted items.

Thank you all for the good and bad reports. I did not know i will stir up the ECO WARRIORS with my question. As i said i only take DEAD shells, if ido not take it some other person will take it for sure and sells it or break it up for shellgrit or mix it into cement like they do in Indonesia, Somebody will make money out of it for sure.
I look after my collection dusting them every week ,oil them ,etc so i keep them in good cond.
When we go to some island i allways ask if i can collect or not and i know what type of shells and in what condition are ok to bring into AUSTRALIA. THIS IDS THE REASON FOR ASKING HERE
Thanks a lot to all
balibagus

Bagus, Bali.

Here's another perspective on this: I haven't been to the Cook Islands so I don't know if the shell grit is used for concrete/cement. I do know that in Vanuatu that shell grit is made in to concrete/cement that is used for walls in housing. Apart from the environmental value of the shells as we have already discussed, I figure that this natural resource belongs to the owners of the country, particularly if they are Indigenous peoples, and especially if in a poorer nation than my own.

I had a few random shells collected a while ago. When I realised the implications of this, over a period of time I returned them to the places that I had found them. I've still got some glass from coke bottles which were left behind by American servicemen in Vanuatu at the end of WWII which I found on the beach. WWII stuff is used as a tourist drawcard which makes some money for the Ni-van people. The glass is awaiting my next visit to Vanuatu so I can return it.

Bagus, glad you got in there and got the shells before anyone else did! I hope they look nice in your living room.

OP... I apologize for getting involved in a religious discussion

yehyeh.... Amen!

balibagus... enjoy your shell(s)

TO YEAH YEAH,
returning suvenier bottles to vanuatu???where do you live??I am having nightmare just to think about that .. do not do it it is useless

balibagus, please stop PMing me.

TO YEHYEH. I STOP WHEN YOU STOP WRITING B...S T

Take only pictures, leave only footsteps.

"Take only pictures, leave only footsteps"

Beautiful sentiment... origin: Canon Corporation with sales of $45 billion in 2010.

Hmmmmm.... Wonder how much of THAT wound up in the hands of local Cook Islanders.