Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Shovelnose Ray!

I'm working on a study that is attempting to locate apex predator breeding areas so that the areas can be marked for conservation.  The process includes capturing, measuring, tagging, and releasing various shark species, but today it included the odd looking shovelnose ray!

Remember, humans could not and would not exist without sharks - sharks are an integral part of the ocean's food web, and all life on land requires the ocean food web to function!

Research in the Southern GBR: Whale Sharks, Turtles, & More!

I'm performing research on various outposts scattered throught Australia's Great Barrier Reef.  Here are some photos taken from the southernmost tip of the reef showing sea turtles and baby (12m long!) whale sharks.  Some pictures feature the bleaching which is what we all hope to get to the bottom of.  Many more pictures and many other locations will be added as time permits, as will the results of our findings, although that could be months or years ;).  Enjoy!

 

Mangroves Are Precious!

 

Took this picture on location at one of the research stations I'm close to and thought I'd share it.  Near-shore mangrove habitats are being destroyed all over the world to the detriment of all, especially local fishermen.  Many species require mangrove habitats to reproduce, and they act as a sanctuary for thousands of species.  We need them!

Interested in Lighting? Check out the latest Marine Habitat issue!

I've penned a feature on lighting for the March-April issue of Marine Habitat Magazine.  I've featured Marine Habitat before because I'm a big fan of the mag's dual purpose, covering both the hobby and ocean/reef ecology. 

If you're wanting to know more about lighting, photosynthesis, and what lighting methods are "best", pick up the issue - or better yet, subscribe! 

Earthquake in Indonesia!

An earthquake has hit off the Indonesian Island of Bali early Thursday morning causing many injuries and property damage throughout the island.

 

The U.S geological survey said the earthquake was a 6.0-magnitude and hit about 62 miles southwest of Bali.

 

So far 50 people have been taken to local hospitals with only five suffering from major injuries. 

 

Indonesia is located on the "Ring of Fire" which is a arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin.  This makes the area prone to earthquakes from the constant motion of the faults moving on each other.  In fact, Indonesia suffered a 9.1-magnitude earthquake that occured underwater and caused a tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in 2004.

 

For this earthquake the U.S Geological Survey has issued no stunami alert and hopefully those who have suffered will recover soon.

 

Picture from www.worldwidehomestay.com

Afraid of Sharks?

So it is officially Shark Week on the Discovery Channel where they are highlighting "shark attacks, killer sharks, rouge sharks" and every other negative aspect about sharks that a human can concentrate on.  I feel as though the entire week is garbage and is used to draw audiences through "fear".  The Consortium for Ocean Leadership posted an article regarding the population decrease of sharks in the ocean due to human activities.  I found the article to be very interesting and I would like to highlight specific parts of the article. 

Where have all the predators gone?

A study in Science put in perspective the current decline of predators and the affects of their loss on the environment.  The study was conducted by a international team of scientists whom looked at predators in terrestrial, freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.  The study concluded that "the loss of apex consumers is arguably humankind's most pervasive influence on the natural world." and claims that humankind has only seen the beginning changes that are occurring in ecosystems.  See why below!

Sustainable Aquatics Launches a New Website

I like to keep aquarists informed of the latest from companies that go above and beyond, and whos actions benefit people, the environment, push the hobby forward, or all three. Ultimately how a hobbyist spends his or her dollar that dictates where this hobby goes, so spending wisely is important for the future of our hobby and ecosystem.

Species Rebound after Gulf Fishing Moratorium

The results of the moratorium on fishing in the gulf are starting to come in, and they look very promising.  All species sampled have experienced a population rebound, especially in species with a short life cycle. 

The Multibillion Dollar Tuna Black Market

I've reported the plight of the bluefin tuna a few times, but a new investigative report details the plight of this species that should already have been placed on the endangered species list - and probably would have, except tuna are worth too much money to bother regulating or protecting.

Money talks, and Japan's black market on tuna is worth $2 billion a year alone.  "The fisheries industry is one of the most criminalized in the world", says Daneil Poley of the University of British Columbia.  National fisheries administrations of various countries are a joke: for example, French fisherman undergoing trial all state that their own national fisheries ministry routinely violated their own laws.