[meteorite-list] Poaching, Science, and Economics

From: gle_at_bellatlantic.net <gle_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:44:15 2004
Message-ID: <3B3E5904.C1B0942E_at_mailbox.bellatlantic.net>

BOB, You really got to the heart of the matter: Saw Sub-Sank Same-
REGARDS, GRANT ELLIOTT

Bob Martino wrote:
>
> All,
>
> I've just joined the list recently and have been lurking about until now.
> I'm fairly new to meteorite collecting, but am getting into it more and
> more lately. I have been following the "discussion" on the Sahara
> meteorites, but am not sure I understand it all. Here's what (I think) I
> know:
>
> In the last few years the Sahara has been identified as a major source of
> meteorites (some quite old). There are those from western nations who go
> out in the desert and pick up meteorites, making careful measurements with
> GPS locators, taking photos, and doing careful science. These people decry
> the nomads who go out and pick up whatever they can without doing the
> science because data is lost.
>
> There are others from western nations who buy the meteorites from the
> markets in Morocco and re-sell them to collectors. These people decry the
> "plundering" of the desert that the other ("scientific") westerners do
> because the local people don't get any money when they are cut out of the
> loop.
>
> Issues which spice things up on either side include bribes to government
> officials and police, rising prices, and the associated economic
> distortions of pumping a lot of cash into a poor area. There also are
> (apparently) ego and personality conflicts, name-calling, and the
> villification of those on the opposing side.
>
> I'm not looking for value judgements here (nor name-calling or other loaded
> words). I just want to understand the basis of the arguement. Have I got
> it straight, or is there more?
>
> My opinions are not necessarily those of my employer.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bob Martino "I look up to the heavens
> Assistant Director but night has clouded over
> Perkins Observatory no spark of constellation
> no Vela no Orion."
> http://www.perkins-observatory.org -Enya
>
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Received on Sat 30 Jun 2001 06:56:04 PM PDT