Coral Reef Wildlife Trafficking for a Hobby
98% of all saltwater aquarium animals are wild caught.
Every year, millions of reef animals are collected on Hawaii's coral reefs and shipped to the mainland U.S., Europe and Asia for use in the aquarium hobby. Mortality rates are astronomical. Between capture and retail, up to 40 percent of Hawaii's Yellow Tangs will die before reaching the hobbyist.
January 2010: Over 600 fish, captured for the aquarium trade, found dead in a Big Island harbor dumpster.
In hobby tanks, most of the rest will die within weeks or months from stress related disease; from cramped or failed environments; from improper food; and, generally because the vast majority of those attempting to keep them are too inexperienced. Though Yellow Tangs are extremely long lived in the wild, with an average age of 11 years on a protected reef, by some estimates, just a few percent of coral reef wildlife will survive over a year in captivity.
Studies
have shown that collecting Hawaii's most beautiful and unique species
for the aquarium hobby has caused their populations to decline by 14% -
97% on unprotected reefs.
Hawaii's fishes and critters have no protections from the trade though harvesting or harming coral and rock (!) in Hawaii has been illegal for decades,.
For
a $50 annual license and permit, commercial collectors have access to
every living animal on every reef in Hawaii that isn't protected -
virtually 99% of Hawaii's coral reefs are impacted by this industry.
Please join the grass-roots efforts of citizens concerned about the harvesting, welfare and trafficking of Hawaii's coral reef animals for the marine aquarium hobby.
That's 160 per hour; 3,840 per day.
*Based on 2007 - 2010 reported take with conservative 2X under and non-reporting factored in
(actual take estimated at 2 - 5X reported take).
Please help us stop the counter: DONATE NOW
Send Hawaii Governor Abercrombie a postcard.
(actual take estimated at 2 - 5X reported take).
Please help us stop the counter: DONATE NOW
Send Hawaii Governor Abercrombie a postcard.
Nov. 2011: Kauai County Council chimes in, passing a resolution similar to Hawaii County's urging the State legislature ban the aquarium trade.
Oct. 2011: Dr. Gail Grabowsky says species taken by the trade are ten times less on Oahu's targeted reefs than in Hanauma Bay where they're protected - and then she does something about it.
April 1: Years of efforts in Yellow Tang captive culture result in "a handful" of larvae surviving to 14 days. Hailed as a milestone by insiders, commercially available captive bred Yellow Tangs are still years away, if at all possible. Read more...
February 28: Read LTE's, "Vested interests, conflicts in DLNR" regarding long time aquarium collector, William Aila, as head of the department charged with managing reefs; and, "Spinning Science", regarding long term department data spin favoring the trade.
January 21: Maui County Council votes Yes! to protect reef wildlife from the aquarium trade's harmful handling and shipping practices!
Mahalo for speaking up For the Fishes!
Other News:
January 16: blog.forthefishes.org is launched!
January 3, 2011: Hawaii aquarium trade coverage in All Animals, the Humane Society of the U.S. publication.
November 2010: Hawaii state fisheries biologist admits Hawaii's aquarium trade is unsustainable. Ten years of area closures have resulted in Yellow Tang populations that are 45% worse than in 1999 when their depleted numbers drove the community to take action.
January 3, 2011: Hawaii aquarium trade coverage in All Animals, the Humane Society of the U.S. publication.
November 2010: Hawaii state fisheries biologist admits Hawaii's aquarium trade is unsustainable. Ten years of area closures have resulted in Yellow Tang populations that are 45% worse than in 1999 when their depleted numbers drove the community to take action.
Source: Hawaii State Div. of Aquatic Resources
Green line: Yellow Tang (YT) populations on unprotected reefs
Red line: YT populations on protected reefs after 1999
Blue line: YT populations on pre-existing protected reefs
Red line: YT populations on protected reefs after 1999
Blue line: YT populations on pre-existing protected reefs
Aquarium trade supporters say what's needed is more "management", like limiting to 40 those species that can be collected, but without significant take limits, those unprotected 40 will succumb to the additional pressure, just as the unprotected areas have.
With limitless permits and few take restrictions, the future looks grim. Consider Florida where despite 50% fewer permits, aquarium trade take has increased ten-fold, prompting a collapse warning.
With limitless permits and few take restrictions, the future looks grim. Consider Florida where despite 50% fewer permits, aquarium trade take has increased ten-fold, prompting a collapse warning.
August 2010: Maui
County becomes the first in Hawaii to protect coral reef wildlife from
the aquarium trade, requiring those capturing them to obtain County permits (tax clearances and fees required)
and abide by Hawaii's animal cruelty law.
For the Fishes
Protecting Coral Reef Wildlife From the Aquarium Trade
Protecting Coral Reef Wildlife From the Aquarium Trade
Working to Keep Hawaii's Reef Animals on Hawaii's Reefs!
