Threat to the Hobby

[Kyle T.]

First post here. Skimming though I haven't yet seen this posted and thought it would be a good idea to get word out to the masses on this one. "Snorkel Bob" is now part of the Sea Shepherds (people who are out to stop the whaling industry). He is fairly well known for being an advocate against the reef aquarium hobby and is now gaining momentum with much more publicity due to this.

Here is the article.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

I've always had mixed feelings about this topic. I hate to think that my passion is harming mother nature, but it is... But so is driving my car every day. My feelings wouldn't be hurt if there was a ban on collecting wild fish, as long as the sale of captive-raised fish was still legal.

 

[gmoney243]

A ban on the taking of the Hawaiian cleaner wrasse, which cleans reefs of parasites, is being proposed for the Big Island, but may continue to be harvested from other islands, he said. The “iconic” and “charismatic” fish “will absolutely, positively die in 30 days in captivity,” but the response from hobbyists is that the fish is so fun to watch that it’s worth it, Wintner said.

my fav part. while i agree they dont do good in captivity and really dont survive full life and shouldnt be collected. this just shows the extremist mentality he has and fear mongering people to join his cause.

 

[skinz78]

First post here. Skimming though I haven't yet seen this posted and thought it would be a good idea to get word out to the masses on this one. "Snorkel Bob" is now part of the Sea Shepherds (people who are out to stop the whaling industry). He is fairly well known for being an advocate against the reef aquarium hobby and is now gaining momentum with much more publicity due to this.

Here is the article.

Thanks for sharing and BTW,

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[gmoney243]

I've always had mixed feelings about this topic. I hate to think that my passion is harming mother nature, but it is... But so is driving my car every day. My feelings wouldn't be hurt if there was a ban on collecting wild fish, as long as the sale of captive-raised fish was still legal.

Actually your hobby isn't hurting the reefs. Its acidification and temp changes doing most the damage along with other human polution factors. If their claim was true about 3000 fish per day in hawaii are collected for the aquarium trade we woulda ran outta fish to keep long ago.

Unfortunately you are correct about your car though lol

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

 

[Reef Fever]

Actually your hobby isn't hurting the reefs. Its acidification and temp changes doing most the damage along with other human polution factors. If their claim was true about 3000 fish per day in hawaii are collected for the aquarium trade we woulda ran outta fish to keep long ago.

Unfortunately you are correct about your car though lol

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

I have to disagree...whether you believe it or not harvesters still cyanide and grenade fish. Our hobby is detrimental but we can do something about it. Make smarter choices, inform yourself on which suppliers support more sustainable practices and refuse to buy from those that don't. Try to buy aquacultured or Mac certified livestock.

Also in other ways you can carpool, ride your bike, take public transit, recycle, upcycle, buy local goods, etc. There's a lot you can do...trust me I have my degree in environmental science.

 

[Kyle T.]

I've always had mixed feelings about this topic. I hate to think that my passion is harming mother nature, but it is... But so is driving my car every day. My feelings wouldn't be hurt if there was a ban on collecting wild fish, as long as the sale of captive-raised fish was still legal.

IMO, there won't be a point at which collection of wild fish being banned will be good for the hobby. Currently, there are many species that can't yet be bred in captivity like tangs, wrasses, etc. Even when every species we commonly keep in the hobby is able to be captive bred breeders will still need wild fish to keep the gene pool from becoming too small. Take clownfish for example, many of them from large scale breeders are starting to get more deformities like a smudged face (bull dog look) and the like. Heck we now have the "stubby" clowns I think which aren't natural and are occurring because of too much inbreeding.

With the collection of wild fish however, you can help make collection world-wide more sustainable by not purchasing fish which come from places that are known to use cyanide (Philippines, "Indo-Pacific", etc.). Most of the fish that are caught sustainably (from places like HI, Australia, and the Red Sea) are going to cost a bit more, but I think it is well worth it to pay the extra to support the collectors that they came from.

 

[that novice guy]

I've always had mixed feelings about this topic. I hate to think that my passion is harming mother nature, but it is... But so is driving my car every day. My feelings wouldn't be hurt if there was a ban on collecting wild fish, as long as the sale of captive-raised fish was still legal.

whats that dued on your avatar???

 

[Jlobes]

IM OLD GREEEGGG!! IVE got a mangina!!! fuzzy man peach!

 

[that novice guy]

IM OLD GREEEGGG!! IVE got a mangina!!! fuzzy man peach!

thank you so muh i remember that from like a while ago but i couldnt figure it out thanks!!

 

[Kworker]

Love the old greg reference. Thing is hilarious.

This topic is heavily debatable. Way I see it is. There needs to be a lot more information KNOWN AND ACKNOWLEDGED by any potential aquarium keeper. Think about how many sell and die because of ignorance. If most of population knew what it takes for these fish to live happily they wouldn't even get their hands wet
A lot if species shouldn't be sold or collected. Regulations need to be put in place. This sounds out there but, A networked database that you have a fish keeping licenses for, with the license number it identifies what you are capable of owning, with marine biologist suggested stats. Of course the numbers would increase much more than where their at now. And prices would most likely rise at a LFS if regulations are set at this extreme but I do feel something is necessary along these lines.

Than you can get more into regulations by setting a wait period after it is known a person achieved their licenses to assure they know it actually takes time.for a tank to cycle.

I do feel guilty about my partake in the hobby, but I do my best to make sure the LIFE in my care is taken care of.
An argument that will probably be seen is, atleast I as the hobbyist seek to take care of this fish rather than drag it onto a boat and gut it.

 

[dmorrison]

I think Aqua culture will save the hobby from any anti harvesting laws. It is sow growing, but i think it will hold up well. Plus a large part of the reef community are actually working at restoring the reef's destroyed by man made disasters.

 

[Kworker]

Marine Aquariums Coral Reef Impact

 

[ultramafic]

its so frustrating listening to snorkel bob's arguements. especially when they are placing comments from DLNR right next his allegations. I really don't understand why anybody would put him in charge of anything. Passion + ignorance = danger.