A few weeks ago Reef Builders was first to break the news on the seizure of 40 Clipperton Angelfish by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The actual number of fish seized was 52 although a few DOAs have probably lowered the total number of fish still in custody. The fish were imported and collected by infamous fish collector Steve Robinson who imported the Clippertons through Mexico, which is part of the reason for the improper importation procedure. We have learned from Mr. Robinson that about half of the Clipperton angelfish were juveniles which we will be very interested to see for ourselves. The Clipperton angelfish were seized in San Francisco because of improper declaration of the rarities had them labeled as Passer angelfish, Holacanthus passer. According to USFWS the case is still an ongoing investigation and there is no word or certainty about when the case will be closed and we’ll be able to field official statements from the officers involved. Until that time there will be no information released about where the fish are being held or when and if the Clipperton angelfish will be redistributed to public institutions around the country. Reef Builders will stay on this story and we’ll report on any developments of this story as soon as it is available.
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I’m curious – why do you refer to Steve as an “infamous” collector?
thanks for the update – I am very interested in this story. I’d love to see these somehow taken back to the atoll (unlikley I know).