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FOSSIL COLLECTING AND THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB
The Essex Field Club has, amongst its purposes, the fostering of an interest in Essex
geology as well as in the flora and fauna. In recent times, however, a small minority of
fossil collectors have acted irresponsibly, so giving all fossil collectors a bit of a bad
name. Some of the worse "offences" involve considerable damage to fossil sites and
collecting from private or protected sites (which is actually theft!).
Mindful of this, the Essex Field Club is concerned that whilst encouraging an interest in
fossils, and other aspects of geology including the collection and proper preservation and
curation of specimens, it should not be supporting in any way the actions of the
irresponsible minority. It is sincerely hoped that all Essex Field Club members will
adhere to the guidelines issued by English Nature in their "Policy Statement on Fossil
Collecting" and, indeed, these guidelines will be put to EFC Council in November with a
proposal that they be formally adopted as Essex Field Club policy. They are repeated
here for the benefit of readers.
Colin W. Plant
President
ENGLISH NATURE POSITION STATEMENT ON FOSSIL COLLECTING
Fossils are a key part of our natural heritage and form a major scientific, educational and
recreational resource. They are fundamental to understanding the evolution of life and
past environments. Fossils also provide a basis for the division and correlation of rocks
the world over.
Fossil collecting is an activity pursued by many people, for whom discovering the
fossilied remains of ancient life provides a stimulating experience of the natural world.
However, the available fossil resource is finite and it is only through a prudent approach
to collection that this resource will remain viable for future generations to experience,
study and enjoy.
Responsible fossil collecting
In most circumstances responsible fossil collecting can offer positive benefits for Earth
heritage conservation and the furthering of geological understanding. This is particularly
true where the fossil resource is extensive and subject to high levels of natural or artificial
degradation, as in eroding coastal sections or active quarries. In such situations fossils
can be lost unless collected. The responsible collecting of fossils can therefore be an
acceptable approach to the management and safeguard of our fossil heritage.
Irresponsible fossil collecting
Irresponsible collecting delivers no scientific gain and is therefore an unacceptable and
irreplaceable loss from our fossil heritage. It will pose a clear threat where fossils are
rare or the fossil resource is limited in extent, as in cave or a river channel deposit.
Collecting without proper recording and curation, inexpert collecting, over-collecting and
inappropriate use of power tools and heavy machinery are likely to reduce or even destroy
the scientific value of such sites. Unless the activity is undertaken in an appropriate
manner, English Nature will oppose fossil collecting on the small number of Sites of
Special Scientific Interest where this activity would cause significant damage to the
special interest.
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 23, November 1997