Category Archives: Industry

In a study done by the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory it was found that 13 non-native species of marine fish, seaweed, and snails have been released into California waters.  Citing the preverbal “flush em” technique as a probable cause, the aquarium industry is receiving the bulk of the blame in a report aimed at assessing the potential ecologic and economical impacts of non-native species in Californian waters. The study also found approximately 102 species are being imported everyday through the San Francisco ports causing concern for invasive species that can compete with native species for habitat resources. With recent outbreak concerns of the invasive Lionfish around the world, this study sheds more light onto similar concerns in Californian waters.  Susan Williams, lead author, finds in their conclusions: “that a more centralized information and permitting system would benefit the regulators, industry and hobbyists, and enable scientists to collect more information and better assess the risk.” She also recommends to hobbyists: “Aquarium hobbyists can follow some simple practices — like ‘Don’t dump your aquarium’ — to avoid releasing aquarium species into natural water where they can become an expensive and harmful pest.” Contacting your vendor or place of business you purchased said livestock and arranging a return is another method of control she suggested. The oversight she recommends would most definitely limit the amount of livestock imported into the United States and impact the aquarium trade in ways we cannot predict. Funded by the California Ocean Protection Council and California Ocean Science Trust the study comes nearly 13 years after a devastating Caulerpa outbreak in San Diego and is another reminder of how we as hobbyists should exercise caution when choosing, and disposing of, aquarium inhabitants. Read the report here!… More:

Australia is currently under extreme scrutiny as guardians of the Great Barrier Reef. With recent findings like the first ever sighting of Acropora eating flatworms and immanent collapse warnings from the UN the GBR will have its fate decided by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture department. Dr Robin Beaman, a marine researcher from James Cook University: “We should not be so dismissive of the UNESCO concerns about the health of the Great Barrier Reef, to do so is such a parochial response. The World Heritage listing for the Great Barrier Reef, and its continuing health, is vital for the marketing of the area for tourism and the numerous people who derive income from the reef.”  Criticized for coastal development projects that have weakened the GBR, Australia’s government has now been overstepped by a global body of countries who regards the environment over such things as drilling for oil. UNESCO will decide whether or not the GBR should be deemed a World Heritage site and have oversight greater than what it is currently receiving from the Australian Government. A potential blow to Australia’s conservation reputation these findings paint a picture of the current status of the GBR and Australia’s efforts to preserve it. Read more here! MAJOR FINDINGS FROM UNESCO:
* Rapid increase of coastal developments, including ports infrastructure, of “significant concern”
* Reef lacks overall plan for future sustainable development
* Development and other pressures should be reduced as much as possible to boost reef’s resilience to adapt to climate change
* Warning of reef being listed as “in danger”, if some of the most threatening developments proceed further towards consent
* Warning of “unaddressed concerns” about the protection and management of port and gas industry facilities in Gladstone Harbour and on nearby Curtis Island REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS:
* Australia should not allow any new port developments or associated infrastructure, outside existing port areas, in or adjoining the World Heritage area
* Australian government to complete strategic assessment of the reef before 2015
* Australia must sustain and increase efforts and resources to conserve the reef
* Independent review to be held of the management of Gladstone Harbour… More: