Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest

BigAl07 · 02-23-2009, 09:44 PM

Wow! check out these links AFTER you read this . . .

Vanuatu is a haven for snorkelling, reef and wreck diving, and sport fishing.

Since the success of the film 'Finding Nemo', demand for tropical fish has soared. But the seas of the Pacific are literally being emptied to feed this frenzy.

Tropical fish are now virtually worth their weight in gold. "Everybody wants one because of this Nemo film," explains SRS Manager Larry Dacles. His company has a monopoly on tropical fishing in Vanuatu, home to some of most popular tropical fish in the world. SRS has alienated local tourism operators, who depend on the tropical fish as an attraction, and the traditional owners of the reefs, and scientists who are fearing an ecological disaster in the making. "They take anything and everything," complains one local. "It's out of control." Already there has been a 50% fall in tropical fish from the reefs. Now, it's not so much a case of finding Nemo as saving him.

YouTube - Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest (pt 1)

YouTube - Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest (pt 2)

YouTube - Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest (pt 3)

reefer4200 · 02-23-2009, 10:10 PM

thats insane...it like upsets me?

vdituri · 02-24-2009, 01:08 AM

Excellent videos.

I am encouraged by the seeding of liverock AND by the fact that the companies they showed are not collecting using cyanide OR explosives.

It does come across as slightly anti-american. The announcer states that far more damage is done by global warming and pollution then goes on to describe all the damage done by "primarily" american aquarist hobbiests.

I don't mean to sound smug or arrogant by any means. It will take a lot of study to determine the exact affect on coral reef habitat. As animals are removed then others are able to move in. It is striking and alarming to note the affect on clams (much more slow growing organisms).
I wonder if free swimming fishes aren't able to bounce back more quickly?

chipmunkofdoom2 · 02-24-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdituri

It does come across as slightly anti-american...

Well, the truth is that many countries (not just the Fascist or violent ones either) have a rather poor opinion of America.

Again, a difficult predicament.. creating an environment favorable to propagate corals in will usually make aquacultured specimens more expensive than wild-caught ones, and many aquarists don't feel like spending the extra money. Out of sight, out of mind, sadly.

Regardless of the tone, the message is one that everyone from all countries can appreciate, heed, and gain insight from. Human beings have a nasty habit of deitizing themselves, and it's about time people start realizing we are not above the ecosystem, but part of it. Whatever happens to it, for better or worse, WILL affect us. Period.

rmlevasseur · 02-24-2009, 06:17 PM

Thanks for posting this Al, those were very informative and interesting to watch.

The videos did make me feel that the chiefs and people allowing the harvetsing in Vanuatu and Fiji are relatively clueless to the possible damage being done.

Victor states it will take a lot of study to determine the exact effect on the reef. This is knowledge that should be obtained first. I'm willing to take a big hit on the cost of these animals if it came with the knowledge that this harvesting was done in a sustainable way.

There is also a new bill being introduced in this country that may significantly curtail the import of any non-native animals. Some have opined that it could end the hobby as we know it.

02-23-2009, 09:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,547 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest Wow! check out these links AFTER you read this . . . Vanuatu is a haven for snorkelling, reef and wreck diving, and sport fishing. Since the success of the film 'Finding Nemo', demand for tropical fish has soared. But the seas of the Pacific are literally being emptied to feed this frenzy. Tropical fish are now virtually worth their weight in gold. "Everybody wants one because of this Nemo film," explains SRS Manager Larry Dacles. His company has a monopoly on tropical fishing in Vanuatu, home to some of most popular tropical fish in the world. SRS has alienated local tourism operators, who depend on the tropical fish as an attraction, and the traditional owners of the reefs, and scientists who are fearing an ecological disaster in the making. "They take anything and everything," complains one local. "It's out of control." Already there has been a 50% fall in tropical fish from the reefs. Now, it's not so much a case of finding Nemo as saving him. YouTube - Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest (pt 1) YouTube - Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest (pt 2) YouTube - Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest (pt 3) __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

02-23-2009, 10:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
reefer4200 Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: BG, IL Posts: 1,000 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest thats insane...it like upsets me?

02-24-2009, 01:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 6,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest Excellent videos. I am encouraged by the seeding of liverock AND by the fact that the companies they showed are not collecting using cyanide OR explosives. It does come across as slightly anti-american. The announcer states that far more damage is done by global warming and pollution then goes on to describe all the damage done by "primarily" american aquarist hobbiests. I don't mean to sound smug or arrogant by any means. It will take a lot of study to determine the exact affect on coral reef habitat. As animals are removed then others are able to move in. It is striking and alarming to note the affect on clams (much more slow growing organisms). I wonder if free swimming fishes aren't able to bounce back more quickly? __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

02-24-2009, 06:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Acropora Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,849 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Vanuatu - Tropical Aquarium Fish Harvest Thanks for posting this Al, those were very informative and interesting to watch. The videos did make me feel that the chiefs and people allowing the harvetsing in Vanuatu and Fiji are relatively clueless to the possible damage being done. Victor states it will take a lot of study to determine the exact effect on the reef. This is knowledge that should be obtained first. I'm willing to take a big hit on the cost of these animals if it came with the knowledge that this harvesting was done in a sustainable way. There is also a new bill being introduced in this country that may significantly curtail the import of any non-native animals. Some have opined that it could end the hobby as we know it. __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

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