Aquarium trade all should read

[atoll]

I am sorry if this has been posted before but if it hasn't then it makes sorry reading and does not show the aquarium trade in the best light. Discuss.

https://www.thedodo.com/aquarium-trade-fish-2361244128.html

 

[becks]

I read they had a power cut or something and lost most of the stock.

 

[reefwiser]

This is put together from a group in Hawaii that wants do away with all aquarium fish keeping. They take facts and twist them to their message.
These images in the story are really old and have been posted around for years.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

... does not show the aquarium trade in the best light.

You are absolutely correct.

Rene and her team at "For the Fishes" has done an amazing job pushing propaganda onto the general public. And ya know what? It's working, as exemplified by The Dodo picking up the story.

National Geographic also published a hack job about this time last year, with the initial line reading, "Up to 90 percent of saltwater aquarium fish imported to the U.S. are caught using cyanide." We all know that's false, as 9/10 fishes purchased would die, however, the public is finally starting to cry out alongside these fact-deniers.

If public opinion sways enough, this industry will become greatly regulated or shut down. Remember it's easier to shut down than enforce regulations.

Hawaii SB 1240 is being passed back and forth between the House and Senate right now, which would eliminate or cripple the industry there. It has passed the Senate, House passed with amendments, Senate denied amendments. This could turn into no more yellow tangs or $400 yellow tangs pretty quickly.

Recently hobbyists have said to me, 'Yeah, but this has been going on forever, it'll never pass.' which is wildly incorrect. Once public opinion sways enough politicians take action, whether it is with or against the data behind it.

What can hobbyists do?

1. Correct false statements when seen online or heard in person. Link the video below. Share data. We cannot control emotions (which is "For the Fishes" sole intent), however, we can share sound science which one would need to be delusional to ignore.
2. Request and purchase quality animals from reputable dealers that take the time to purchase from sustainably minded sources. Cheap ≠ Affordable. There is a big difference in the way some fishes are collected, and it makes a big difference to the health of the animals received, and the health of the reefs in nature. Check out this MACNA talk for a closer look at the above.
3. Respect all of the animals in our care. Show the world how much we put into getting all of our animals to thrive, not just survive.

Share this video:

 

[atoll]

There is never any shortage of misinformation out there when it comes to the tropical fish trade which incidentally also comes from LFS's. Fact is there are people out there that want to stop the pet trade altogether and will use whatever mean they can in their quest and it matters not if the information is misleading at best and downright lies at worse. I have shared the link above on my FB page without a single comment being posted.

 

[wkscott]

Unfortunately, if these groups ever come onto this forum or any of the others, they will see thousands of posts from both inexperienced and experienced hobbyists that are following bad protocol and are killing fish and corals needlessly. Of course they won't mention the amount of education and advice being offered here to prevent these deaths or cite the hobbyists that have kept fish alive for decades.
It saddens me to see the daily posts of people who have not quarantined and are running into disease and parasite problems. It also saddens me to see long time reefers that condone this behavior by boasting that they never quarantine.

 

[tyler1503]

Never trust the dodo. They have some entertaining stuff and post cute animal videos on Facebook, but as far as their journalism goes...let's just say some of their "facts" haven't been thoroughly researched and confirmed.

 

[Tautog]

What a bunch of poop!
If you saw what commercial fishing boats do everyday, what they call " by-catch ", would make any normal person sick. In fact, if you really need to be sick, next time you see a Grand Opening, or Re-Grand Opening of any major supermarket, take a look at what gets put in the garbage. As a bakery manager who has done these several times, I can't count, it's amazing what goes in the garbage. All the "Top Mangement" wants is to see is the shelves full, cases full, tables full days before the opening. The Bakery, Seafood, Meat, Deli, Dairy, and Produce Departments waste tons of food. Enough food is wasted, just to look good for pictures to the head CEO. Just one store grand opening could feed a small country. The Dodo sounds like a DoDo!

 

[atoll]

Unfortunately, if these groups ever come onto this forum or any of the others, they will see thousands of posts from both inexperienced and experienced hobbyists that are following bad protocol and are killing fish and corals needlessly. Of course they won't mention the amount of education and advice being offered here to prevent these deaths or cite the hobbyists that have kept fish alive for decades.
It saddens me to see the daily posts of people who have not quarantined and are running into disease and parasite problems. It also saddens me to see long time reefers that condone this behavior by boasting that they never quarantine.

Who's boasting about not quarantined? I see people informing about their practices and the good results they get year on year. I read about some people who quarantine and still their fish get sick. I read about how people have managed to keep fish alive and healthy which regularly spawn for them and why that is. If your going to point fingers and accuse these same people of bad practice then maybe you need to take a little while to reflect on your words.

 

[wkscott]

Who's boasting about not quarantined? I see people informing about their practices and the good results they get year on year. I read about some people who quarantine and still their fish get sick. I read about how people have managed to keep fish alive and healthy which regularly spawn for them and why that is. If your going to point fingers and accuse these same people of bad practice then maybe you need to take a little while to reflect on your words.

I wasn't pointing any fingers but obviously I stuck a nerve.

 

[atoll]

I wasn't pointing any fingers but obviously I stuck a nerve.

Of course you were and of course you struck a nerve with such a critical post. There is more than one way to skin a cat and just because you disagree with methods people have had success with for many many years is hardly reason to be so critical of their successful methods.

 

[Maritimer]

I've seen enough of what "The Dodo" posts on Facebook to know that they're in the same class as PETA and HSUS. They play on the emotions of people who genuinely believe that they love animals, in order to get legislation or other action against animal-related businesses moving. These tactics are often pretty underhanded, and always ignore at least half of the story ... but who cares?

In a "Facebook" world, glossing over half the story _works_, because folks will take what you spoon-feed them, and never bother to research the entire issue.

~Bruce

 

[Reef man 89]

That's an awesome video. Definitely show no harm being done to the fish and extra care being taking to make sure there is no harm being done.

What a bunch of poop!
If you saw what commercial fishing boats do everyday, what they call " by-catch ", would make any normal person sick. In fact, if you really need to be sick, next time you see a Grand Opening, or Re-Grand Opening of any major supermarket, take a look at what gets put in the garbage. As a bakery manager who has done these several times, I can't count, it's amazing what goes in the garbage. All the "Top Mangement" wants is to see is the shelves full, cases full, tables full days before the opening. The Bakery, Seafood, Meat, Deli, Dairy, and Produce Departments waste tons of food. Enough food is wasted, just to look good for pictures to the head CEO. Just one store grand opening could feed a small country. The Dodo sounds like a DoDo!

sence you brought up food waste I am in the trash industry and the amount of GOOD food I see in dumpsters from supermarkets is unreal. Food that is not every expired yet. It's sicking. They don't want to donate it because there not makeing any money off it.