Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

The Marine Aquarium Hobby in Retrospect: 2009

After a hectic "holiday season", I/we are back (trying to be back?) at penning for the CA blog.  I wanted to write a brief opinion piece of the hobby in 2009.

As a marine aquarium hobbyist since 1993, a marine aquatics author since 2001, and a "professional" for a year, I've seen a lot of things come, go, stay, and change in our hobby, for better or for worse.  For better or for worse, this is the first year I felt that the beginning of the end was palpable for the marine and reef aquarium hobby in it's current state.

Help Protect Leatherback Sea Turtles!

Leatherback sea turtles are the most endangered of the seven sea turtle species: 95% of the population has died in the last few decades.  The Monterrey Bay Aquarium and NOAA are asking us to help them pass legislation that would protect 70,000 square miles of "critical ocean and beach habitat" that these giants need to feed and reproduce.  To let your voice be heard, comment online via regulation.gov here, and of course, read more about these awesome reptiles at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium or get all the details and a map of the protected zone at the NOAA Leatherback Turtle webpage. 

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Matt Wittenrich on Collection & Aquaculture

I worked with marine biologist and notable fish breeder Matt Wittenrich at Microcosm Aquarium Explorer, and today I'd like to post an interview I did with him a few weeks back about the current wild collection practices.  I think it will be an informative interview for hobbyists who don't often get a lot of 'behind-the-scenes' news:

25 Ways to Help Coral Reefs!

New from the NOAA: 25 ways to help save coral reefs, reprinted here for your convenience:

1. Support reef-friendly businesses. Ask what your dive shop, boating store, tour operators, hotel and other coastal businesses are doing to save the coral reefs. This is especially important in coastal areas with reefs. Let them know you are an informed consumer and care about reefs.

2. Don’t use chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers. Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products end up in the watershed and may ultimately impact the waters that support coral.

3. Volunteer for a reef cleanup. You don’t live near a coral reef? Then do what many people do with their vacation: visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the world’s treasures while helping to preserve it for future generations.

Video: Climate Change & Survival of the Fittest in Coral

Reminding me of lectures during my undergrad in marine bio, this is a neat (if long) video lecture by Dr. Todd LaJeunesse about algae and the molecular techniques he invented for/during his research. 

83 Coral Species to be Protected?

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition with the NOAA to file 83 coral species under the Endangered Species Act, in an effort to combat losses, mosty caused by ocean acidification due to high CO2 levels in the atmosphere.  In addition, biologists think that the list should extend to an additional 267 species.  

Indonesia Limiting Coral Export

Indonesia, currently the largest exporter of coral and other reef invertebrates for the hobby in the US is apparently initiating quotas that determine what coral species and how many can be exported from the country.  From the Embassy of Indonesia:

Turning the Tides: Monterrey Bay Aquarium turns 25

The Monterrey Bay Aquarium turns 25 years old this month, and to celebrate, they've done us all a favor and put together a report on seafood!  Our consumption of both farmed and wild-caught seafood has caused a lot of harm to wild populations (for example, tuna are threatened from overfishing).  In order to choose low impact seafood for responsible and ethical dining so that you can make a difference, take a look at the Monterrey Aquarium's seafood report page or download it directly here in PDF format.  Oh, and don't eat tuna! 

Why You Shouldn't Release Your Aquarium Fish

Since I have been working in the aquatics/pet industry I have been exposed to a regrettable habit that many hobbyists, take part in: releasing pet fish (and other animals) into the wild.  I have heard from many hobbyist who have released their aquarium fish into the wild seem to think this behavior is fine and that they are letting their fish free.

Critically Threatened Bluefin Tuna to be Protected?

Bluefin and other tuna stocks have dropped drastically over the last decade due to overfishing for the sushi industry.  Whereas scientists have previously (and ruefully) stated "it's a toss up whether tuna goes extinct before gas prices go up too much to fly them around the world for the sushi markets", tuna may have caught a break (pun intended)!