Ornamental Aquarium Trade Research Project

[Reef of Eden]

I'm doing a research project for my Marine Biology class on, "The Ornamental Aquarium Trade's Impact Upon Ecosystems".

I'm in the process of compiling information for the project.

I was wondering if any one here had some website, books, or any research material suggestions that would be helpful, as well as any specifically important issues or points that you think I should make sure to address in this project.

It's going to be about a 10 minute long PowerPoint presentation.


Thanks in advance for the your time and help.

 

[Aerowen]

how about the live rock that is needed for our tanks? an example of one of the top suppliers is tampa bay saltwater, they harvest rock off the ocean. you migth also want to point out the fact of aquaculture and coral fragging.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Tonga just had a ban on the importation of their corals and LR, but complied with certain requests and ban is lifted. There is apparently very little impact on their natural reefs.

Hawai'i has collection restrictions. They have reported alot of stuff about collection impacts. Check out the Maui aquarium website, see if they have actuall numbers posted.

Australia up until recently did not import to the US, not sure what happened there, but they are reportedly VERY strict about collection.

What's sad is that most (I recall seeing %70) of collected corals are collected for bleaching and painted as decorative corals.

Lots of different directions

 

[Mental1]

I think it is a great project. Google it and just start reading -- I did and I was amazed. So many yellow tangs were removed from the hawaiian reefs that they started to choke under the algae. Cyanide is still used and it kills the corals as well as most of the fish when used. Some of the more popular species of fish have seen significant reductions in the wild populations in uncontrolled collection sites. With some species -- for example leopard wrasses -- 95% are dead within 3 months of collection. Only 17% of the world's reefs are protected. Protection is a overwhelming task. It is a very political topic that gets reefers very upset. Many want to believe that our hobby has very little impact ecologically compared to rising temperatures and pollution. I think it is called stick head in sand and relax.