TS2 – MY THOUGHTS ON SAFETY ON THE BEACH, AND FOSSICKING ETIQUETTE

NOTE: The following are initial thoughts only. I will develop them more as time goes on.

MY THOUGHTS ON SAFTEY ON THE BEACH: Make sure you know what the tides are doing, and always assess the implications of the tide coming in – will it trap you against a bank of stones or a cliff? Check the weather forecast before going out, and dress appropriately. Take food and water if you are going to be fossicking for more than an hour or so. If by yourself, let someone else know when you arrive and leave the beach. Always look up from the stones from time to time so you know what is going on around you. Keep an eye out for seals on the beach, and give them plenty of space. When weighing up the risk of picking up an interesting stone in the face of a powerful incoming wave, leave the stone where it is – don’t risk being dragged out. Don’t try to lift or carry too many stones – make an extra trip if need be.

MY THOUGHTS ON FOSSICKING ETIQUETTE: Only venture onto private property with the permission of the landowner. Avoid disturbing livestock. Leave no litter, and pick up other people’s rubbish if you are able. Take only the stones that you want, be selective. Give other fossickers plenty of space. If you dig a hole, fill it in afterwards. If you find a fossil, consider whether you should report it to a museum. Share your knowledge with other fossickers, especially newbies. Minimise your disturbance of wildlife, especially nesting birds.

THE ETHICS OF FOSSIL COLLECTION: In October 2022, a small group of fossil collectors cut out and removed a 23 million year old whale fossil from the bank of a West Coast river. The fossil was well-known in the area and was often visited by the public. Many people and groups were shocked at its removal, and those who did it appeared to do so in a deceitful and aggressive manner – see, for example, this news article and this news article. While private fossil collectors are important for the identification of fossils in New Zealand, there appears to be no legal protection for fossils, and the ethical issues surrounding fossil collection are not always clear. This article by Nic Rawlence, a Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA at the University of Otago, provides a good discussion of these issues.

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Author: tumblestoneblog

Retired Academic, male, living in the New Zealand countryside near Whanganui with his wife as well as Jasper the dog, Fluffy the cat, Dancer and Penny, the horses, and a shed half-full of stones. Email john.tumblestone@gmail.com. View all posts by tumblestoneblog