Future of the hobby

[mannyhernz]

See coral magazine. Formally announced

Well, just skimmed through my digital copy of coral magazine..no info?? Mind sharing where you read this? Im really interested in reading up on it.

 

[Scorpius]

I wish threads like this would stop popping up several times a week. Think you mod's could maybe put a stop to this? The first one hundred threads like this was enough.

All you doomsday people need to learn how to use the search function so you can get your kicks in the already created threads like this.

/rant.

 

[User1]

Did some googling. "Homewrecker coral" is just a color variant of Acropora tenuis. From what I've read plus my limited knowledge of acroporas, lighting and conditions have a heavy influence on Acropora coloration. MEANING THAT, it probably didn't look like this when collected in the wild and I kind of doubt it could get this way outside of artificial conditions. [I am open to be proven wrong]

I know - I only used it as an example of designer vs. traditional collected. But you probably already knew about the price of said "homewrecker" vs a generic frag of Acropora Tenuis. No different than Walt Disney or slew of others out there. If the hobby is impacted by environmental activist or lobbyists and we want it to continue then we will all have to be better about how we propagate corals otherwise it truly will be a hobby for only a few (aka 1%).

Apologies if I sounded snarky @VR28man - not my intent earlier. It was just an example.

 

[VR28man]

Apologies if I sounded snarky @VR28man - not my intent earlier. It was just an example.

Not at all! I agree with you, and was trying to pile on to your point.

 

[ZoWhat]

Money talks.

Always follow the money....if serious money is to be had, smthg will come about even if its a grey market or black market

3rd world countries where the Gov could get a 90% cut will come around in their thinking

Just look at the Cuban Cigar market as an example: https://www.thoughtco.com/cuban-cigars-are-cuban-cigars-legal-719511

Cuban cigars were readily avail on the black market until new laws changed things

Unfortunately the price we will pay will prob triple if 3rd world Gov take control

 

[vetteguy53081]

00



Yesterday we received some great news which is bound to be a sigh of relief for the global trade in aquarium corals. After a long hiatus of restricting the issuing of health certificates necessary to export all corals beginning back in May, the Indonesian Fisheries Ministry has rescinded this order.

This means that very soon we will start to see Indonesian corals and anemones being shipped around the world again. This is excellent news for the many businesses that depended on these wildlife products as the lifeblood of their revenue.

We always expected Indonesian coral exports to resume but with some changes, caveats and new regulations but surprisingly, it seems to be business as usual, with minor adjustments to oversights by certain regulatory departments.

The old saying ‘you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone’ seems to really apply here and thankfully we have a second chance to really treasure and appreciate how special and valuable imported corals are, be they wild collected or cultured.

Below is an official translated statement from the Indonesian Corals, Shell and Fish Ornamental Association (AKKII) with our own emphasis added.

“Indonesian Coral and Anemone Ban has been lifted. Following a conciliation meeting in front of all different ministries in the Indonesian National Parliament. The Indonesian fisheries ministry has been asked to revoke their May 4th instruction of not issuing Health Certificate for domestic and international shipments of corals and anemones.

Local quarantines are slowly receiving these instructions, so export should be allowed again very soon. But it will take a bit of time until the complete administrative and chain of supply starts off completely again.

So far there haven’t been many regulation changes, but we can expect some changes to happen very soon. Also, we can expect, the fisheries department, to be on the look out for any wrongdoing in order to justify another closure. The consequences would be disastrous for our industry.

This trade ban has been disastrous for many peoples in this industry around the world, with many collectors, exporters, farmers, shop owners… closing down during the summer. But it’s great news that it has been lifted, and we can enjoy once more the beauty of Indonesian corals.

Nevertheless, it’s time for this industry to stop taking these corals for granted, and accept their real value. We should now change our perception that we can’t get these corals as many as we want, for ever, and do the right things in order to not give bullets to the peoples trying to shut us down. These regulations surrounding this industry must be improved and followed, so those only responsible stakeholders are allowed to work, for the benefit of all. Our industry must self regulate so the peoples that are doing the right thing don’t suffer because of few, ready for anything players.

We would like to thank the tremendous work, done by the Indonesian Corals, Shell and Fish Ornamental Association (AKKII), and their new board, that was really challenged like no others, just a month after being elected. We can be sure that they will come out stronger, and have now a great opportunity to lay down, the foundation for a sustainable, long lasting industry.

This is just the beginning of their work, as now the work to make sure this doesn’t happen lay ahead. Our thought for the thousands of Indonesian farmers that held off that many long months without any income, and kept on taking care of all these cultured corals, all but for our own pleasure.”

 

[vetteguy53081]

via Walt Smith International

Bula!

I know its been over a month since we have put out an update, and trust me when I say we have been in the offices of the government every day of this 70-day ban.

Walt and Dave spent this time providing data and records to show the Prime Minister and his staff how WSI operates and the sustainable efforts we have already established in the 23 years we have been in Fiji. After many long presentations and meetings, the Prime Minister was convinced of our success, honesty, and commitment to the Fiji Reefs.

The government will be setting up a monitoring team to ensure compliance and work with us on the future of Fiji’s reefs, ensuring they will be around for everyone to enjoy forever.

We openly welcome all of this, as we have always had an open door policy toward our government.

We can now officially say that the Fiji Coral ban has been lifted, and our quota for 2018 is being restored.

WSI still has a rough road ahead of us in getting everything back on track, but this is a huge hurdle and we are excited to be able to start getting back to normal business.

Additionally, we would like to thank many of you for donating to The ADE Project. Your donations played a huge part in showing our industry’s commitment to sustainability. It is not too late to also help show your support and be part of the huge rehabilitation program for Fiji.

 

[JulesH]

I wish threads like this would stop popping up several times a week. Think you mod's could maybe put a stop to this? The first one hundred threads like this was enough.

All you doomsday people need to learn how to use the search function so you can get your kicks in the already created threads like this.

/rant.

Why should I not post my concerns? I have had a break from the hobby since the 80's and am about to invest in a new setup. As far as I can see this industry has always been on a knife edge especially when using explosive/poison to catch fish and not paying the collectors their dues.

Thats one of the reasons I gave up with the hobby in the 80's, I did not want to be partly responsible for the destruction of habitats through the use of poisons etc. I like the idea of tank bred fish and corals and thats why I am starting again.

Julian

 

[JulesH]

'Nevertheless, it’s time for this industry to stop taking these corals for granted, and accept their real value. We should now change our perception that we can’t get these corals as many as we want, for ever, and do the right things in order to not give bullets to the peoples trying to shut us down. These regulations surrounding this industry must be improved and followed, so those only responsible stakeholders are allowed to work, for the benefit of all. Our industry must self regulate so the peoples that are doing the right thing don’t suffer because of few, ready for anything players.'

Well said Sir.

 

[Dan D]

Hmm is right. Sure sounds like Snorkel bob, rene Umberger and save all the dang fish and nuke da dam humans crew. All fish CAN be sustainable, BUT, we are humans, we consume, we destroy,but. We can controll our selves. Pretty stupid to havest a fish and then kill it on its way to your aquarium. Most large volume shops place the fish and its health in higher esteem. Less live fish to market,less make $ with. Just ecconomics.

15 yrs ago when i sold to Mr Fish. He would make me clip all yellows, even trim there sails(dorsal fins) all surgeon fish knives clipped etc. 70% of fish returned to kona water, due to not passsing his criteria . Today much more interest in keeping fish at maxt health. We got $1.50 per fish back than. With the reopening of the kona market in a few years, the HI market will drop back to normal. We have millions of sustainable ,sized fish.

2014 was such a fish dropon the reef, price died, some boats bringing in 500-1000 yellows per trip.

Not gonna happen now. To many rules to stop it. I left calif when the state killed the urchin industry. Made me dive 4 jumps over 100 ft o hooka. W / bendo meter.I will now only harvest sustaina ble for a fair price, to match my investment, aand time.

We lost 2.6 mi of some of the finest coral diving on Hawaii. Thats still not a 10 th of the avail coral area big island. Wai opae was the best place ever to take kids, most of the sinous shaped lagoon,only 2 ft deep. Some of the plate corals 5 feet in dia, estimated 500 + YRS OLD.

AUWE, miss that place.
Kids cannot play in Pohoiki beach, jetskis standing by think 3 tables oahu.
New dead brackish water pond where launch ramp was. Dont swim there please.
Beach now only advance swimmers ,divers etc.

Snorkeling ok 2 good,the further u get away from 40 ft hi lava wall,at edge of park. Caused many tons of black sand to fill bay.

We will rebuild the bay, humanity
Aloha
http://bigislandnow.com/2018/07/17/lava-could-overtake-pohoiki-in-next-few-days/

After

www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018/08/13/hawaii-news/pohoiki-boat-ramp-completely-blocked-by-sandbar/

 

[Dan D]

The future is this Bright for the big island and its tropical fish industry.
Mauna kea sunrise today
More like stars with a moonrise 545 am hst
Aloha

 

[tankstudy]

“Indonesian Coral and Anemone Ban has been lifted. Following a conciliation meeting in front of all different ministries in the Indonesian National Parliament. The Indonesian fisheries ministry has been asked to revoke their May 4th instruction of not issuing Health Certificate for domestic and international shipments of corals and anemones.

They were asked to revoke their May 4th thing, they weren't told they had too. We were suppose to see some of the first shipments shortly after that but they never left the country.

This is an older post vette, if I recall correctly, Indonesia has already been removed off some of wholesale distributors lists since than. Before it use to say 6-8 months but now, websites have removed it to just include available waters and I haven't heard of any changes since.

 

[Dan D]

The last article said they were in negotiations with the ministry?

 

[Dan D]

So walt smith presented all the scientific evidence, just like we had to do in the Umberger vss HI State DLNR. The ministers of the region realised after being served these facts,that there reefs and the economy can live in sync sustainably .

That now has to be proved. We should all help in our own way, find out exactly where all our fish and inverts come from. Tag the town or exact diver like me and require that person or company to be ONLY A SUSTAINABLE diver,or shop or town.

This can be done. Magnetic tag ,un obtrusive ,lazer tag? Someone out there has the optical skills to make it happen.

Just like the chocolate bars that are from only sustainable farms. Tracked all the way to your mouth

Tag that yellow,make it visible in if or uv.
Aloha

 

[Zionas]

Here’s what I’d imagine the future of the hobby to be (and what I wish to see):

1. With advances in technology, more and more species will be captive bred. Along with this, Captive bred fish, corals, and inverts have an increasingly wide global supply chain and more local facilities dedicated to aquaculture / mariculture.


2. More and more vendors will go through a stringent QT process for all livestock, following in the footsteps of Marine Collectors and similar services.


3. We’re able to get more and more species in the trade, ones that are rarely / seldom / never seen today. The use of submersibles and more advanced decompression techniques will hopefully expand the hobby well into the mesophotic and even rariphotic zones.



4. There will be a growing variety of foods that can meet the dietary needs of current extremely difficult / nearly impossible species to keep (ex: corallivores).


5. Though I’m certainly against this (as I am already staunchly up in arms against designer Clowns), more types of fish in the future will have “designer” / cross-bred varieties (which I’m OK with only if they occur in the wild).



6. More collection locations in the Eastern Pacific as well as more fish collected from Japan and Taiwan.


7. Hopefully the hobby will continue to become more affordable and widely accessible in the future. With more captive bred species, wider range of foods to meet a wider range of dietary needs, more collection locations and so on, I hope that one day we’ll be on equal footing with freshwater hobbyists if not surpass the popularity of the freshwater hobby.


8. As the hobby makes more in-roads into Asian countries, we might one day see a “North American School”, “European School”, and “Asian School” of reefkeeping, aquascaping etc.


9. As the oceans continue to suffer from the impact of global warming, I hope that one day marine biologists and research institutions (including public aquariums) will see allies in us instead of persecuting and criticizing us. I hope that one day we’ll be needed in the conservation of tropical marine life.


10. More unique / unusual saltwater setups such as cold water setups, subtropical setups, mangrove setups, Arctic setups etc.


11. Years into the future, the species popular today will continue to reign supreme. Clownfish, Yellow Tangs, Royal Grammas, Yellow Watchman Gobies, Flame Angels etc. will continue to have a tight grip over the wallets of hobbyists, holding their own even against the more exotic species previously seldom / never collected / from greater depths.



Just my predictions.