Hobby under attack

BRS
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I was wondering when something would come out from the Sea Shepard organization about this. Thanks for the link.
 
BRS
Well, I don't agree with extremist views towards this hobby, but this hobby does have a light and dark side. I have seen so many dead fish at wholesalers/retailers in my 5+ years in this business. I can only hope that the poor economy has made wholesalers and retailers value their livestock more and take better care of creatures. I tried to sell fish when I first started, but it is so hard to get them to live even if you have super clean systems, because if the wholesaler you get them from has poor water quality it is very hard on the fish. Most wholesalers on this coast run copper in their systems constantly so as soon you put the fish in your own system they get ich. Time after time I have seen huge shipments of fish with swollen eyes and open wounds. I have seen whole vats of snails and sea hares dead/dying due to poor acclimation/transportation. Red serpent stars almost always disintegrate because they are brought up from the depths too quickly or are not acclimated and get infections. Don't even get me started on all the dead/bleaching corals I've seen. So yeah, in some ways the articles does have a point. I've also heard stories from quite a few divers locally that they don't see near the amount of fish on reefs that they used to, but how much of that is from pollution/habitat destruction and how much is due to the aquarium trade?

There is a very high amount of loss, especially with wholesalers that don't care enough to keep their systems in good shape. And then on a hobbyist level their are still too many fish that are too cheap, like mandarins, god knows how many mandarins the collective reefing community has killed over the years. The hobby really does need an overhaul from the collection level all the way down to the hobbyist. And I think that in the last few years this has been happening.
Many of the divers in the Pacific have been retrained not use cyanide in fish collection and more fish are being hand/net caught. A lot of the newer wholesalers in Cali and elsewhere have much better holding systems and do seem to care more about the loss of life/health of their animals. The recession has pushed a lot of the low quality retailers out of the business. And the aquaculture industry is growing bigger each day.

I do think their are some fish that really shouldn't be sold in this hobby or should be sold at a much higher price because they need special care or far out grow the average hobbyist's tank. But really this is something that only we as hobbyists can regulate ourselves on. It would be kind of cool if you had to get a license in order to keep a saltwater tank. Charge a minor fee and the person would get an instruction book on basic saltwater tank care and maintenance. In return part of the fee would be used to promote coral reef restoration. Something like this might actually save a lot of creatures.

The best way to fight these kind of articles is to become a conscientious reef keeper, educate fellow reefers, and support businesses that take good care of their animals. It would also be good if stores and wholesalers would be inspected and rated on the health and quality of their systems just like restaurants, farms, hotels, etc are. I think that's one of the main problems is that just about anyone can get into this business and their is no law or specific standards that have to be maintained.
 
+1 on that Wow someone that spoke my thoughts to the "T" it's so sad that not more people care like you do
One of the first things I ever read was this and I Quote
"The Reef keepers pledge"
I (your name), being of sound mind and body, do solemnly pledge that I will embark upon the reef-keeping hobby only after thoroughly researching the subject via books, magazines, newsletters, the Internet, fellow reefkeepers, and any additional resources available to me.

I understand that a certain cash outlay is unavoidable when embarking upon the mini-reef hobby, and I have informed my spouse/domestic partner of such.
I will proceed with set up slowly and deliberatly, enjoying each fantastic step, with the full understanding that only bad things happen quickly in the mini-reef.
I will puchase livestock only after my aquarium has completely cycled-and then, slowly and methodically.
I will never purchase livestock on impulse and then attempt to determine it's husbandry requirements later, because I know this way lies madness.
I understand that corals and other invertabrates need room to grow, and for the well-being of the animals in my care, I will never attempt to keep more than my aquarium can accommodate.

I understand that corals and the reef invertabrates are unique living things that require life-long care. They are not pretty decorations to be replaced with every change in room decor.

I accept the axiom that the water is the single most valuable tool in the reef keeper's arsenal.

I accept the fact that problems will occasionally arise in my mini-reef, and I will treat each new problem as a challenge to be overcome rather than an insurmountable obstacle.

I will not repeatedly alter my approach to reef keeping with each change in the tide of popular opinion, because that way also lies madness. Besides, if it ain't broke, I shouldn't try to fix it.

I will never abandon the reefkeeping hobby just because the going gets tough. Rather, I will redouble my efforts to master the skills I need to succeed.

In years to come, I will share the wisdom I have acquired with others who wish to enter the mini-reef hobby and I will do so enthusiastically and without condescension.

Inunderstand that I am embarking upon this wonderful hobby of my own volition and therefore, I accept full responsibility for my ultimate success or failure and for the unique organisms entrusted to my care." unquote

I strongly believe if your not willing to adapt that pledge in you life of reefing then you should own, sell or have anything to do with this hobby!
 
Nutramar Foods
I meant by the way you shouldn't own sell or have anything to do with this hobby if a mod could fix that please
 
Nutramar Foods
Mr. Wintner brings up some valid points that should be looked at and addressed at our level; the reef hobbiest.
Like Reef Goddess stated, I too have seen first hand the amount of dead live stock when it first comes in from trans-shipments, and then the dwindling of life thereafter at LFS's.

Since seeing this and learning more about QT procedures and trying to find the best places that take care of the fish, I have switched to buying fish solely from Live Aquaria (brought up in the article for Kevin Kohen being the #1 importer of Hawaiian species) and NY Aquatics. This is due to their extensive knowledge and unsurpassed QT procedures. They are so good at doing their jobs, that I no longer do an at home quarantine since I can't compete with how well they QT their fish. So far I have yet to have any type of disease or a fish die from either of these vendors.

Although I think the writer uses too many broad statements, such as 99% ; of fish dying within a year, I think he is bringing up a great issue that should be discussed to help further survival rates of wild caught fish. I personally think that some type of regulation on wholesalers to take better care of the animals while in their care, as well as QT them, will help with the survival rates, which in turn will decrease the overall number of animals taken from the reefs.
This is a win-win for the hobbiest since we in turn will have better specimens and pay less over the long run since we won't have to re-buy fish that don't make it, as well as knowing that we are taking less fish from the reefs.

I don't look at myself as a conservationist per se. Although after having a reef in my living room I have realized that I have a responsibility to do the best I can lessen the impact on the destruction of reefs worldwide. I'm not saying that ornamental collection is destroying reefs, but I need to lessen that impact now that I am better educated. Their are a huge number of factors that are contributing with the problems that face reefs today. I need to do my part, however small, to lessen the impact.

With education comes responsibility. So whether this article is way off-base or extreme, we as hobbiests have a responsibility to not just blow it off, but to read between the lines and see how we can become better reef keepers and citizens to help sustain the hobby and make it better if at all possible.

How we spend our money ultimately affects the hobby and the direction it takes...
 
Since Kevin Kohen was brought up in the article, and we had a presentation at our local club from him that blew my mind on the amount of work that goes into their livestock and qt procedures, I figured I would post a link to their QT regimen.

We have had quite a few presentations from different people/organizations at our local club, CMAS-MD.org. Mr. Kohen's presentation on their livestock handling was by far the best I have heard. I would highly recommend getting him to speak at your club. It was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and definitely changed the way a lot of us purchase as well as handle livestock.
 
Our LFS is now offering MAC certified fish, along tank raised an mariculted options. It's great to see how far the hobby has come but it still needs some help. The best way to facilitate change is with your wallet. :)
 
Tidal Gardens
I agree more wholesalers need to quarantine their fish but they are in to big of a hurry to get them out the door and have a don't give a *+^€ if they live after that because they have their money in their pockets I've always Qt the fish I get from wholesalers but a lot of the time it's to late when they get to me and they surcome to the stress of it all so we need to find a way to start with the collectors and wholesalers for sure because vie found people usually don't mind paying a little more for healthy livestock
 
Any other thoughts on this?

I guess Oiseau Reefer should have titled it - BIG threat to finding more HORNETS and other big ticket imported items that'll make you rich at your LFS!!! ;)
 
Sikryd said:
I think he is bringing up a great issue that should be discussed to help further survival rates of wild caught fish. I personally think that some type of regulation on wholesalers to take better care of the animals while in their care, as well as QT them, will help with the survival rates, which in turn will decrease the overall number of animals taken from the reefs.
This is a win-win for the hobbiest since we in turn will have better specimens and pay less over the long run since we won't have to re-buy fish that don't make it, as well as knowing that we are taking less fish from the reefs.

I don't look at myself as a conservationist per se. Although after having a reef in my living room I have realized that I have a responsibility to do the best I can lessen the impact on the destruction of reefs worldwide. I'm not saying that ornamental collection is destroying reefs, but I need to lessen that impact now that I am better educated. Their are a huge number of factors that are contributing with the problems that face reefs today. I need to do my part, however small, to lessen the impact.

With education comes responsibility. So whether this article is way off-base or extreme, we as hobbiests have a responsibility to not just blow it off, but to read between the lines and see how we can become better reef keepers and citizens to help sustain the hobby and make it better if at all possible.

How we spend our money ultimately affects the hobby and the direction it takes...
Click to expand...

+1

I definitely think the hobby needs to be regulated. I mean some wholesalers are the equivalent of puppy mills and the lfs need to be more conscious on who they purchase from and we as consumers need to make sure we keep the lfs honest by choosing to purchase or not to purchase from them.
 
Chewy.com
Tidal Gardens
Did mine! Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to help with this issue! This is what Reef2Reef is about to inform and help hobbyist to keep happy healthy fish, coral, etc..
 
BRS

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%

  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%

  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%

  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
See comments…

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