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Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine

In a previous blog entry, I questioned some numbers regarding the collection of wild-caught Banggai cardinalfish that were printed in a recent article in Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine. This may have led some to think that I am not a fan of the magazine. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Tropical Fish Hobbyist is an established and respected aquarium publication with a reputation for informative articles, great photography and a track-record of unrivalled support of the hobby in general. I buy it, I read it, and I write for it. You should too.

While I have been somewhat frustrated with what I perceive as the magazine’s one-sided coverage of the Banggai issue, I should point out that Tropical Fish Hobbyist is not alone. Since Eric Borneman’s public call to boycott wild-caught Banggais at MACNA last autumn, it seems the entire marine aquarium hobby press has been on some sort of myopic mission. If you have been following my blog entries here, you know I think the mission may even have merit, but as journalists, I strongly believe we have an obligation to at least attempt to report objectively when we are covering a story such as this.

I should point out that I have shared my concerns directly with the editor of Tropical Fish Hobbyist, and I always appreciate the time he takes to talk through the issues with me (difficult writers can, of course, be the bane of the editor’s existence). Those “off-the-record” conversations are, perhaps, the best testament to the magazine, as they indicate the commitment of the editor to the well-being and health of the hobby.

So no, I am not promoting a boycott of Tropical Fish Hobbyist—I am simply advocating a wider ranging discussion when it comes to these very important issues that will have a lasting impact on the future of our hobby. Happy reading!

The Myth of Secret Suppliers in the Marine Aquarium Industry

Let’s just get this out in the open: there are no secret suppliers in the marine aquarium industry.

While some may claim there are, in reality anyone who wants to know from where their animals are coming can find out in pretty short order. Once you understand this point, you realize that most of the “secret supplier” talk is little more than marketing hype, and, when you really look at it, it is, in my opinion, marketing hype that does a disservice to the industry. A sustainable and robust marine aquarium industry needs transparency far more than it needs secrecy right now.

Follow the Paper Trail

So how is it that I can so confidently claim there is no such thing as a secret supplier? The answer is pretty simple. If you do not have a connection in the industry who is more than willing to spill the beans on a competitor, than you always have the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Law Enforcement. More than 200 special agents and 122 wildlife inspectors report through seven regional law enforcement offices to manage ecosystems, save endangered species, conserve migratory birds, preserve wildlife habitat, restore fisheries, combat invasive species, and promote international wildlife conservation every day of the year.

For example, in Los Angeles, where the majority of animals bound for the marine aquarium trade enter the country, inspectors track all imported wildlife with a paper trail that would make the finest bureaucrat proud. And guess what...this paper trail is largely, as you might suspect, a matter of public record by way of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Endangered and threatened species and species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which includes most coral, require importers to be permitted under 50 CFR 17 and 50 CFR 23 respectively. Want to know who is importing what? The answer is just a phone call (and, admittedly, some paperwork) away.

What about animals being imported through illegal channels? Well that is a very real concern, and it is a high stakes game that some choose to play. Fortunately, most of the animals that make it to market at your local retailer have come through legit channels (even when they are marketed as "secret"), but every once in a while, a big bust does occur like the one in London last year.

Does it Really Matter? It's Just Business

In the final equation, you may be wondering who really cares. So what if a retailer markets its product (and, mind you, charges a premium for it) by saying it is direct from a secret supplier. So what if wholesaler X is hyper-protective of “his man” in Australia or Jakarta or Vietnam. It’s business, after all, and in business, companies seek an edge over the competition. If this edge can be achieved by giving the impression that they have access to a secret supplier, then so be it. Right?

Actually, I don’t subscribe to this line of reasoning, as there is much more at stake than the success of business X’s or Y’s bottom line. As Bob Fenner, author of The Conscientious Marine Aquarist eloquently put it to me while discussing this issue the other day, “think further on the effects on all the players involved. Indeed, if there are practices and folks of merit, is it not the best for all to be aware of them? Shouldn’t we share and even exclude non-‘A’ players—as in, get them out of our trade? This is absolutely so. Either deal proficiently, honestly and transparently or get out of my industry.”

A Marine Aquarium Industry Based on the Priciples of Fair Trade

In my perfect world, hobbyists would, through their buying power, seek to empower the best suppliers in the developing world. Hobbyists would seek out retailers who are committed to the principles of fair trade (and who only buy from wholesalers also committed to fair trade). Hobbyists would promote a sustainable and robust hobby by endorsing retailers who deal transparently with wholesalers and suppliers who are, by all metrics, “A players.”

Why does it matter? Suppliers in developing countries upon which this industry has always depended are frequently marginalized. We, through our purchasing power, have the ability to support them on a path to socioeconomic stability that will be good for them, the industry and the animals and ecosystems. 

Hiding suppliers behind a veil of secrecy—whether perceived or real—will only further marginalize them while at the same time leading to environmental degradation, declines in wild populations of marine animals and, ultimately, the collapse of the industry as we know it.

The choice is ours.

Explore the Ocean with Google Earth!

The coolest next best thing for marine aquarists with an interest in science, ocean ecosystems and technology just landed on the scene today, and you MUST go check it. Google Earth has now mapped the seas making it possible to tour underwater topography in the same way we have become accustomed to soaring over terrestrial landscapes. According to today’s New York Times, Google Ocean was born in March of 2006 when Sylvia Earle, a former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), commented to John Hanke (Hanke is the co-creator of Keyhole which was bought by Google in 2004 and became Google Earth), “You’ve done a great job with the dirt. But what about the water?”

Earle, who is also a friend to the marine aquarium industry and advisor to CORAL Magazine, is quoted in today Times as saying:

I’ve been struggling my whole life to figure out how to reach people and get them to understand they’re connected to the ocean, but I go to the supermarket and still see the United Nations of fish for sale. Marine sanctuaries are still not really protected. Google Earth gets all this information now and puts it in one place for the littlest kid and the stuffiest grownup to see in a way that hasn’t been possible in all preceding history.

What are you waiting for? Go check it out now!

Make Your New Year Green for the Marine Environments We Cherish

With 2008 winding down, you may be thinking about those New Year’s Resolutions for 2009, and, toward that end, I want to share something that Carrie Chen, San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay’s Education and Conservation Director, recently shared with me. The following suggestions are several ways to “green” your New Year’s Resolutions, while taking care of the ecosystems we appreciate most as marine aquarists.

• Keep the Bay Clean! Whether it’s the San Francisco Bay or the Chesapeake Bay, these bodies of water are critical to healthy marine environments. In 2009, resolve yourself to only wash your car at a self-service or professional car wash, where the water will flow to wastewater treatment plants instead of into waterways. If you must wash your car in your driveway, be sure to use only non-toxic cleaners. Remember that no matter where you live, runoff eventually makes its way to the oceans.

• Keep the Oceans Sustainable! “If a restaurant served tiger, you’d ask some questions, right?” asks Carrie. For the sake of all marine environments, the same should hold true when purchasing seafood. Get a “seafood watch card” at your local public aquarium (or visit the Aquarium of the Bay’s site to get one online).

• Volunteer! Whether it’s California Coastal Clean-Up Day (which Aquarium of the Bay supports) or another local event, get involved in 2009. Even if not officially part of a clean-up day, Carrie suggests you adopt a “don’t pass it up, pick it up” mantra every day. If everyone picked up a little trash, think of the difference it would make. If not picked up, it all eventually flows downhill into the oceans.

• Explore! “Who says that New Year’s resolutions can’t be fun?” asks Carrie. If you live near the coast, she suggests, get out and explore the coastline. Whether on foot or in a kayak, get to know your local watershed, even if you don’t live near the coast. “Commit to connecting with nature in 2009,” says Carrie. After all, it’s both fun and good for the environment.

Also, get out and explore your local public aquarium. In fact, if you have a houseful of guests for the holidays, consider taking everyone to the aquarium for the day. If you are a member of your local aquarium (and, as a marine aquarist, you really should be!), contact the aquarium to see what holiday events are on. For example, I will be taking my out-of-town family to “members’ night” at the Aquarium of the Pacific on 26 December…but I digress.

In short, join me and hundreds of other marine aquarists in resolving to make 2009 a great year for the oceans.

Melamine in Fish Food Now?!

The New York Times reported this week that Hong Kong food inspectors found fish food imported from China was contaminated with melamine. Yep, melamine—that’s the toxic chemical responsible for the Chinese milk debacle and the tainted pet food that led to the largest pet food recall in this country’s history.

I'll post a more in-depth story here, but for more information in the interim, see my blog entry at SaltwaterSense.com.

Tampa Bay Rays Rays Aquarium

Have you been watching the World Series? If so, is the marine aquarist in you intrigued by the aquarium just behind the right center field wall? Well here’s skinny on the marine aquarium at Tropicana Field.

The aquarium is officially called the Rays Tank, and it is presented by VisitStPeteClearwater.com. Built in 2006, it is the result of a partnership between Tropicana Field and Tampa’s Florida Aquarium. The 35-foot long, three-foot deep, 10,000 gallon aquarium houses over 30 cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) in what is essentially a huge touch tank. Except for the aquarium’s 20-foor wide acrylic front, which is viewable from the stands, the rest of the tank is fiberglass with a sand substrate. According to Tropicana Field officials, it is one of the ten largest tanks in the country.

The rays are wild-caught and were collected from the waters of Tampa Bay by the staff of the Florida Aquarium, which is in charge of all husbandry. Thom Stork, CEO of the Florida Aquarium, believes that the Rays Tank at Tropicana Field is an opportunity to broaden the educational outreach of the Aquarium. “Sure, people will enjoy seeing and feeding the rays while attending the game,” says Stork, “but they will also learn about these interesting animals and possibly want to see more exotic and interesting fish available to them here [at the Aquarium].”

The cownose ray inhabits the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic, they range from southern New England to northern Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. They are known to migrate to Trinidad, Venezuela, and Brazil. A mature cownose ray can reach 84 inches but is usually much smaller, especially in captivity. Because the cownose ray rarely rests on the bottom, it is less common for a wader to step on ray’s the spine. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the cownose ray is listed as "Near Threatened".

The Rays Tank is available to for free to all fans at home games. Because only 50 people are allowed in the tank area at one time, people wishing to view the rays up close are given a time-stamped card indicating what time they can come back and interact with the animals. In addition to being encouraged to touch the rays, visitors may also feed purchase “ray food” to feed to them.

In addition to all the proceeds from “ray food” sales going to the Florida Aquarium and the team's charitable foundation, every ball hit into the tank during a game by a Rays player results in the Rays donating $5,000 to charity ($2,500 to the Florida Aquarium and $2,500 to the player's charity of choice).

The cownose ray is listed as “Near Threatened” on the 2008 IUCN Red List.

Low Tide for Fundraising

Those of us who have marine aquaria know that a marine aquarium, much like a boat, is (at least financially-speaking) a sizable hole in one’s pocket. That’s certainly what the Georgia Aquarium was hoping for (sort of) as a result of their annual gala which was projected to raise as much as $100,000 for the Aquarium’s veterinary services.

Unfortunately for the Aquarium, the sale of tickets and sponsorships has gone…well, anything but swimmingly. An aquarium spokesperson shared with the media today that Thursday’s “Aqua Vino” gala will probably net only around $50,000.

The headline in the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reads, “Economic tide works against aquarium gala” positing that the lackluster fund-raiser was a sign of the times. “The economy is definitely having an impact,” said aquarium spokesman Dave Santucci.

Then again, maybe people are just saving up for Clarion Angels.

Restaurants Doing Harm to the Marine Aquarium Industry?

Emaciated Yellow Tang with ''Lymphocystis.'' Image BluePhish/3Reef Forums.

On Friday night, my wife and I thought we would go to this little Thai restaurant we love. As we walked into town, we talked over the menu—a great fiery bamboo, fantastic coconut shrimp soup and duck to die for. Because tourists have become an endangered species now that summer in Laguna Beach is over, not to mention the economic downturn, we did not expect to have to wait for a table in the small L-shaped restaurant. Nonetheless, only one table was available in front of the 150-gallonish marine aquarium, which usually houses a small shoal of yellow tangs swimming in and out of copious live rock. As we took our seats, I glanced into the tank, which was illuminated by actinics, and came to face-to-face with a deformed, ulcerated and diseased small yellow tang.

I took my wife’s hand and said we were leaving, indicating to the hostess on the way out that it was the tank and that they really must do something. It was more than unappetizing—it was simply cruel.

I was in a funk after leaving. We headed over to Ocean Avenue Brewery, one of our favorite spots in town with good handcrafted beer on tap and an interesting and always reliable menu. We sat on the patio and talked about the marine aquarium at the Thai restaurant. In our opinion, a restaurant or store with a poorly kept marine aquarium is potentially one of the most damaging things in the hobby. Sick fish and dismal conditions confirm, for the uninitiated, all the negative perceptions of the hobby.

And you wonder why some people are so quick to jump on the bandwagon to ban.

But it also goes well beyond perceptions and the hobby, doesn’t it? It goes to the idea that as aquarists—home aquarists or owners of restaurants with aquaria—we have a responsibility to the animals we keep, and no injury cuts deeper than employing the wonders of the sea for aesthetic points without committing the resources to appropriately and compassionately caring for those animals.

PG&E Partners with Public Aquarium to Address the Impact of Climate Change on Native Habitats

It was announced yesterday that the Aquarium of the Bay, about which I have written previously, is teaming up with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to build the 1,200 square foot PG&E Bay Lab. The exhibit, set to open in April 2009, will feature local animals that live in and near the San Francisco Bay as 'ambassadors' promoting energy conservation to help protect their habitats from the potential impact of climate change."

Nancy McFadden, senior vice president of public affairs for PG&E, California’s largest utility, said, "PG&E is proud to partner with Aquarium of the Bay on this first of its kind climate change exhibit. The Bay Lab," she continued, "will provide a unique opportunity for Californians to learn about conservation, renewable energy and the impact of climate change on our native habitats."

The creation of the PG&E Bay Lab, which will utilize solar energy as a power source, will mean that the Aquarium of the Bay can add climate change-related content to its California State Science Standards-based education program.

Did You Call Me Fat?

Male Clown Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis) Feeding on a Clam

Nineteen dolphins at Japan's Kinosaki Marine World have been put on a diet after their lackluster performances got visitor talking. "We were puzzled by their poor performance," Haruo Imazu told the Telegraph. "Then we noticed they looked rounder."

According to Kinosaki Marne World staff, the dolphins had failed to hit their targets during jumps and were having a hard time keeping upright while treading water.

Not Enough Exercise or Too any Snacks?

Was too much summer couch-sitting and No-friend-o playing to blame? Or was it the pyrotechnics used during the show? Nope. Neither was to blame. It was, in fact, the 31 pounds of mackerel and white fish (heavy on the mackerel) per day that caused the dolphins to put on as much as 22 lbs over the course of the summer.

While the New York Times suggested the South Beach diet, the husbandry staff at Kinosaki Marine World have decided to implement a less fashionable weight-management plan (far less fatty mackerel). Like any good weight-loss plan, increased exercise is part of the game plan.

A Serious Problem

While The Sun was on hand with several witty comments such as "Dolphins to lose a tun-a weight" and "hopefully they will be DOL-THIN-S", the problems associated with diet are serious ones with any captive animal.

Marine animals in captivity, even in the largest aquaria, cannot feed as they would in the wild, and it is, therefore, essential for the aquarist to understand the specific dietary needs of each of their animals and to feed accordingly.

Know Your Animal's Dietary Needs

In the most general terms, each of your marine aquarium animals can be placed into one of three categories:

• Carnivores
• Herbivores
• Omnivores

Carnivores require more protein and amino acids in their diet (e.g., meaty marine flesh, live foods, prepared frozen and dry foods for carnivores), while omnivores and herbivores (most herbivores are actually correctly considered omnivores) need a more balanced diet with plenty of plant material (e.g., nori, spirulina). Do not ignore vitamin supplements (e.g. Selcon), and, on a final note, do not overfeed, as this leads to a host of problems including, but not limited to, poor water quality and lackadaisical animals.

Required Reading

For more information on feeding, I like The Marine Fish Health & Feeding Handbook by Rick Goemans and Lance Ichinotsubo (TFH 2008).