A must read for all hobbyists
by
, 12-11-2012 at 03:23 PM (2912 Views)
It isn't often that I see an article that I want to repost as much as this one. When I was a little boy, my dad had his aquariums. It was about fish, anemones, octopus, but not live corals. In 1998 when I decided to enjoy this hobby, my resource was the local fish store. I bought some 'live' rock and some clownfish, as well as a number of inverts. In 2002, I went to my first MACNA and really learned about keeping corals alive, and the rest is history.
As hobbyists, we may have a narrow perspective on where livestock comes from, how much may be left in nature, and how we as consumers have little input on the bigger picture. In all honesty, when you see a pretty coral or fish, do you dwell on where it came from, who collected it, and how it will fare? Or do you wonder what it costs, and will it fit into your tank and get along with the other animals? The word sustainability is used a lot, and yet do we actively shop for items only sustainably harvested or tank-raised? Does it matter to you? Ten years ago, I bought my share of wild-caught corals but they usually didn't last long for a number of reasons. Corals that were aqua-cultured were smaller, cost more, and often did much better. Pushing aside the notion that instant gratification will make your immediate happiness swell, more hobbyists seem content to purchase coral frags. Maybe the frags are affordable, compared to purchasing a colony.
(Top) Total number of individual corals imported into the United States. (Bottom) Acropora sp. imported into the United States. White bars are from wild harvests,while black bars indicate those corals from captive culture (CITES source codes F, R, C).
A number of articles and campaigns have tried to strike fear in the minds of the masses that the coral / fish trade is evil, that it will decimate what is left of our oceans, and that it must be stopped in its tracks because the future will otherwise be devoid of marine life. Again, as individual hobbyists that can't dictate collection practices nor control what their local stores purchase and offer, they may be feel helpless, or that their actions don't make a difference. Based on recent information published, our history has been tracked for the past 21 years, showing not only what species have been collected, but how our purchases have trended. The sharing of coral frags has made a big difference in the past five years. The numbers are actually down, rather than the implied escalation we so often are accused of. Take about 10 minutes to digest this article, and keep up the good work with your purchasing power. Proactively think about where your livestock comes from, and continue to seek out mari-cultured and aqua-cultured corals as well as tank-raised / farm-raised clams and fish. Here's the link:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog...ility-benefits
And another link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1211094916.htm
And another write up about why this is a step in the right direction:
http://www.omglobe.com/2012/12/11/wi...s-trade-study/