Idea and thoughts on how to maintain growth in our hobby

[Chrissypoo]

With our hobby in decline I was wanting to hear other thoughts and ideas on how and what hobbyists, retail outlets, wholesalers, and/or even collection stations can/should do to create a sustainable growth in this industry.

Everyone chime in

 

[Chrissypoo]

I have a few thoughts, but I want to stress that my opinions are not better than anyone elses. This thread is intended for positive, progressive conversation and brainstorming; not name calling. No ideas are stupid ideas.

To begin, I really like the idea of banning collection in over-collected spots of the world. For me this hobby is about preservation and killing 1000's and 1000's of say, yellow tangs unnecessarily is, to me at least, a travesty. I believe a cool idea would be for the government of each collection site to restrict and monitor wild collection and fund aquaculture facilities.

 

[madkeenreefer]

wrong forum, see you in the Responsible Reefkeeping forum soon.

 

[29reef]

+1

There's way too many off topic threads and tank builds in this forum. Every other topic has to do with pests and water, both have great stickys at the top of the thread.

 

[pengelli]

Why do you say our hobby is in decline.
Every shop I have been into over the last year has been very busy. I have had to wait to be served, and this is not because the shops are under staffed.
Many times I have tried to buy a coral off a website only to find that someone has got there before me.

 

[sleeri]

Our hobby is in decline? I've been into fresh and saltwater/reef aquariums for over 20 years now. The changes / technology and growth in this hobby over that time period have seemed in my opinion to be nothing short of tremendous. Add to the mix online reef forums and local clubs and the hobby seems to be stronger than ever.

 

[dixiedog]

wrong forum, see you in the Responsible Reefkeeping forum soon.

This.

 

[Chrissypoo]

SPS keepers are generally more accustomed to the "marine industry" environment, they have to be to provide an environment for SPS to thrive in. This constitutes a broader, denser knowledge base, generally.

Also, I am not asking or preaching about "responsibility" in husbandry, I am asking about how and what things are out there to raise sales and increase the numbers of hobbyists.

 

[LowersMyBP]

SPS Keepers :=> Growth? Keep your phosphates down

 

[swanny]

Decline, apparently chrissypoo has not been to a MACNA recently.

 

[MammothReefer]

I am asking about how and what things are out there to raise sales and increase the numbers of hobbyists.

finding nemo 2

 

[Chrissypoo]

finding nemo 2

That's sadly true, IMHO.

 

[Chrissypoo]

Decline, apparently chrissypoo has not been to a MACNA recently.

Total sales for this industry are in decline. The numbers can be found easily with whichever search engine you choose.

I'm sure there are a number of reasons, but I am not sure of any. Regardless, that's not my what I was getting at.

What are some suggestions to help our hobby's industry grow?