SA Seahorse to close?

[TamiW]

I found this today: http://portlincoln.yourguide.com.au...l&story_id=486677&category=General&m=6&y=2006

It says that SA Seahorse may close. This is really a shame because they put out good horses that may not be available once they're gone. Its a shame they felt it was necessary to go the tourism route in the first place though. I noticed a serious decline in the number of seahorses available from them in the US once they started focusing on tourism.

Are pen farms pushing out more traditional aquaculturing of seahorses? Or are australian seahorse farms just not meant to be (remember Ocean Oddities?)

 

[DanU]

This is really a shame

Yep!

I noticed a serious decline in the number of seahorses available from them in the US once they started focusing on tourism.

Tourism is much more profitable than breeding! Some companies have found a much better livlihood by offering tours. Breeding is then done to support the tourism.

Are pen farms pushing out more traditional aquaculturing of seahorses?

Yep! The landed wholesale price for these are sometimes close to half our cost of breeding them!

Ultimately it boils down to the consumer. Basic economics. If the consumer is happy with purchasing net pen horses, they will gradually see less and less of true captive bred seahorse (from closed controlled recirculating systems) companies.

Dan

 

[pledosophy]

IMO the average consumer is ignorant to the added risk associated with net pen horses. IMO it is not that they are happy with them, it is that they know no better.

The retail cost for the consumer for a maricultured and aquacultured animal are very close. However the extra medication and time administering the these meds make the true aquacultured speciments a far better long term value IMO.

Also IMO the rise in complications from these net pen horses will give seahorses the reputation that they are not suitable aquarium inhabitants. Something which is untrue.

JMO

It is a shame to loose the Farm. Despite being a breeding facility they also helped to educate alot of people about seahorses.

 

[TamiW]

That really has always been true - your average consumer lacked the knowledge between wc and captive bred. Now they lack the knowledge between pen raised and closed system captive bred.

Obviously besides trying to educate the average consumer, what else can be done? Is it something maybe groups like MAC should become involved in?

I really wish there were standards for labeling these things, from species names, common names, to accurately reporting how they were raised.

 

[Samala]

Right, I dont think its really ignorance.. seems like a harsh word(!).. but rather lack of standard and proper labeling. TR as tank raised means... what? Captive bred means.. what? Open system or pen or pond raised is another, just as is aquacultured closed system. The terms are too loose in the trade to make it easy on people to choose animals with the best 'pedigree'. And then of course, you've got LFS turnover and constant exposure of stock to various potential pathogens and parasites through mixing of species and mixing of syngnathids and with non-syngnathids.

Will they keep syngnathid.org online you think? I was under the impression they hosted/administered that site.

>Sarah

 

[DanU]

Right, I dont think its really ignorance.. seems like a harsh word(!).. but rather lack of standard and proper labeling.

I would agree Sarah. Labeling is an issue. Food fish industry is having similar issues!

Will they keep syngnathid.org online you think? I was under the impression they hosted/administered that site.

My understanding was the same. Don't know the answer to the first question!

Dan