The Shell Collectors Code of Ethics

by Capt. Alex Roth, Jr. & Jim Rogers (1980)

I realize that mollusks are part of our precious national resources, therefore:

• I WILL make every effort to protect and preserve them, not only for my own future enjoyment, but for the benefit of the generations to come.
• I WILL always leave every shelling spot as undisturbed as possible.
• I WILL take only those specimens needed for my collection.
• I WILL leave behind the damaged, scarred and young specimen so that they may live and multiply.
• I WILL NOT pollute the reefs and beaches around me, and by example and persuasion, educate others to do the same.
• I WILL NOT collect live egg cases unless they are to be used for study, and then only in small quantities.
• I WILL NEVER "clean out a colony" of shells, and will do all possible to dissuade others from doing that.
• I WILL practice and promote these conservation rules in every way possible.
• I WILL, whenever possible, discourage others from destroying the reefs, lagoons, or their associated ecology.