An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Hemicara regarding the Effects of Marine outgassing

5/13/96 (RTO-NYC)

Continuing with our previous articles about Dr. Hemicara, of the prestigious Reef Encounters Environmental Forecasting Expedition and Registry (REEFER), this article will try to wrap up the Doctors findings. As previously reported, Dr. Hemicara and his associates “found some unusual biological compounds degassing from areas in and around reefs, and that they seem to affect human brain function.”

This is an exclusive interview with Dr. Hemicara:

Reef Traders’ Outpost> Thank your Dr. Hemicara, for being here. The whole aquaria community and everyone here at the RTO thank you for your ground breaking work.

Dr. Hemicara> Thanks for asking me. Although I think many people, outside of the aquaria hobby, will be interested in these findings.

RTO> In your previous statements, you mention the effects of the sea on beach go’ers. I wonder, after crawling out of the sea many millions of years ago, did we not fully escape? Do we still need it?

Dr. H> That’s a very good observation. I have often pondered that. Perhaps it is some age-old vestige of our bodies. Or perhaps it adaptive behavior on the part of these organisms and we are the target of this complex process; only time will tell.

RTO> You seem to hint at the powerful effects of these compounds but most of us don’t see this as possible.

Dr. H> Well, the common hobbyist isn’t about to notice this amazing effect during day to day life. As the addictive effects increase slowly, you grow used to the behavior and it seems perfectly natural. Some extreme cases have led to compulsive shopping disorders, and frantic hobbyist becoming impatient and
even hostile when shipments to local aquarium retailers is delayed.

RTO> Yikes. I better have my spouse hide my wallet.

Dr. H> It’s not all bad! Like many drugs, for instance, there are some somewhat beneficial effects such as relaxing, clear headedness which in some ways make the effected more intelligent and confident and increases attention span and memory retention. Considering other maladies, this isn’t one I would worry
too much about. You could be much worse off!

RTO> What can we do to avoid this effect?

Dr. H> As long as you have close proximity to situations like we’ve discussed, you’re vulnerable. I would suggest that if you feel you are hooked, you should watch as much TV as possible because this counters the biological basis of the disorder as well as the symptoms, as this causes numbness, short attention span, lowers intellect, and can make the viewer fat and lazy. Ha!

RTO> I suppose that’s a relief. I believe our readers should skip watching the TV, and spend more time reading the Features here at the Reef Traders’ Outpost.

Dr. H> That won’t do much for their addiction though.

RTO> Perhaps not, but I think most of the hobbyists out there are having a good time!

Dr. H> True.

RTO> Dr. Hemicara, what do you think of the reports coming out that some dealers and shopkeepers knew of this effect, in some way, previously to your reports.

Dr. H> I’ve heard of this, but since it is outside my research I don’t make much of it.

RTO> Well, your research has had some unexpected results. I don't believe this information has been made public before this. The FDA and the DOJ have launched an investigation into possible anti-competitive actions by certain collectors and dealers, and possibly the manipulation of these compounds to get
hobbyists hooked and then sell them overpriced livestock.

Dr. H> That’s astounding. I hope that’s not true. I’m sure they will probably be contacting me then. Well, my research calls and I have a great deal to do.

RTO> I’d like to thank you, Dr. Hemicara, for this interview and I hope you have some more exciting discoveries for us in the near future.

Dr. H> You’re welcome. I’m sure I’ll have something to report, you know the Ocean is the about the last great mystery before us.

RTO> Thanks again.

RTO Features will continue to follow up on these important events.