Aquarium Conservation Presentation

[StevenPro]

I have been asked to develop a presentation discussing some aspect of conservation, but I don't have any strong ideas. I know this is right up the alley of some of the participants here. Any ideas? I am considering doing something on laws affecting the industry/hobby, but am open for other suggestions.

 

[Anonymous]

Do just that, the law end. I think that would make a good intro article for a future series. There's been so many proposed laws, and some made it into being made law :roll:

 

[naesco]

I have been asked to develop a presentation discussing some aspect of conservation, but I don't have any strong ideas. I know this is right up the alley of some of the participants here. Any ideas? I am considering doing something on laws affecting the industry/hobby, but am open for other suggestions.

How can I help.

 

[Anonymous]

:lol:

 

[bookfish]

I have been asked to develop a presentation discussing some aspect of conservation, but I don't have any strong ideas. I know this is right up the alley of some of the participants here. Any ideas? I am considering doing something on laws affecting the industry/hobby, but am open for other suggestions.

I think one of the greatest challenges we, as an industry, face is how to create local, sustainable value for healthy reefs. This comes down to a few simple (not really, LOL!) questions.
1. How can local people and Govt.'s be convinced to conserve healthy reefs instead of just selling them to the highest bidder (exporter)?

I think the answer lies in revenue streams and job creation.

2. In areas that are not tourist/dive meccas, how can revenue be created in a way which is at least sustainable if not (preferrably) beneficial to a thriving, diverse reef environment?

I think eco-sensitive collection practices and local aquaculture are key here.

3. What influence can this industry and hobby have in directly creating these jobs and revenue streams?

I think educating consumers and everyone in the supply line is critical but it's all driven by money so the consumers must demand eco-friendly products.

Now back to hugging the trees!

 

[StevenPro]

I have a couple of ideas now. Let me know what you all think of them or if you have other suggestions.

1.) The Economics of the Marine Ornamental Industry

I would discuss how sustainable harvest is a good economic choice and far better than alternative uses of the resource. Also, chat a bit about supply and demand: how uninformed consumers create the demand for inexpensive animals which drives the cyanide industry, how uninformed consumers making impulse purchases also drives the demand for challenging but beautiful animals, how MAC is working on the supply (in effect creating a brand name) without advertising or otherwise trying to create a demand for what they are selling, etc.

2.) Laws Affecting the Ornamental Marine Industry

Recently hearing about the California law regarding the minimum size of leopard sharks kind of spawned this idea. In addition, I would discuss the Caulerpa ban, CITES (Eric from SDC came a very good explanation of this in regards to Eric Borneman's article), Hawaii no take areas, pending legislation, etc.I have a couple of ideas now. Let me know what you all think of them or if you have other suggestions.

 

[dizzy]

We discussed the following issues at length in a thread a few months ago. Be sure to let the hobbyists know that buying or swapping locally grown frags may actually be harming the efforts to establish culturing or coral farming in countries of origin. Let them know this may be considered bio-piracy by some. Explain that there are many yearly conferences discussing biodiversity and ways to rectify the injustice. One possibility is that a royalty may be impossed for growing corals and fish from other countries. Just explain that MAC and many others in the scientific community feel culturing is best done in situ. Buying truly green and helping with conservation efforts, may be a little more complicated than most hobbyists realize.
Mitch

PS
It would be interesting to hear Race Foster's thoughts on this subject. This might also be a good opportunity for Dustin Dorton to make a contribution.

 

[naesco]

The best thing that happened to our hobby occurred when coral propagation hit our shores.
The next best thing that happened was when progressive industry types taught and wrote books that allowed hobbbyists to frag corals with the result that hobbyists starting trading coral amongst themeselves.

I would would suggest that you talk about encouraging this and also encourage hobbyists to raise both fish and inverts so that true sustainability becomes a reality.

Educate them by having them understand that it it up to them to:
1. inquire about where the fish are from and if there is any hesitation ask to see the import documents.
2. ask the retailer to feed the fish so they may confirm that it is eating rather than taking the word of the salesperson.
3. demand that the retailer posts a Unsuitable Species List in a conspicuous place so that the hobbyist can ensure that the fish sold to them has some chance of success in their tanks.

Just a beginning. Do you want more?

Wayne

We discussed the following issues at length in a thread a few months ago. Be sure to let the hobbyists know that buying or swapping locally grown frags may actually be harming the efforts to establish culturing or coral farming in countries of origin. Let them know this may be considered bio-piracy by some. Explain that there are many yearly conferences discussing biodiversity and ways to rectify the injustice. One possibility is that a royalty may be impossed for growing corals and fish from other countries. Just explain that MAC and many others in the scientific community feel culturing is best done in situ. Buying truly green and helping with conservation efforts, may be a little more complicated than most hobbyists realize.
Mitch

PS
It would be interesting to hear Race Foster's thoughts on this subject. This might also be a good opportunity for Dustin Dorin to make a contribution.

 

[dizzy]

I think it got discussed some here:
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... bio+piracy

Steven be sure to check this out: http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meeting.aspx?mtg=ABSWG-03