I often joke with my students how much of their scientific knowledge (right and wrong) is based in the Disney movies. This article from Scientific American identifies how salt water aquaria are actually contributing to the decline of coral reefs and the first that live there. Many people that maintain salt water tanks think of themselves as helping to save species from coral reefs, but much like the dentist from Finding Nemo, may actually be doing more harm than good.
What do you think? What can scientists do? What can you do?
I think scientists need to start focusing on how to breed tropical saltwater fish in fish farms. Deciding the best way to raise tropical fish in fish farms is a lot simpler and easier than trying to get fishermen to stop capturing fish using their current methods. Laws could be created to attempt to stop the methods but then some percentage of the fisherman population will still use the illegal methods. I think the best and most efficient way to help safe the coral reefs is to focus and figure out a way to breed these fish in a fish farm.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brittany on this one. It seems like it's becoming more and more of a problem for the fish to be bred in freshwater tanks. By taking these fish away from their natural habitat, it instantly puts stress on the fish- and to add to that, they're "drowning" the fish in this chemical that can even kill them. The entire process is complicated- to get them onto land and into fish farms, even. I do agree that laws could be created, but I feel as if other tactics will be created in order for the fishermen to obtain what they want. The demand is high, therefore the supply must be there. Again, in agreement, breeding in fish farms is the most efficient way to obtain new fish.
DeleteI think that since they are pretty much killing the fish when they get them straight from the ocean, they should start to breed them in breeding farms permanently. I understand that they don't produce as well in farms, but if they are hurting the coral reefs and the fish at the same time then eventually you will have no fish at all. Plus, if they were breeding the fish in farms, maybe they could find a method that helps the fish live longer and produce better. I also think that they should produce laws for fisherman saying that they either cannot fish like they are or cannot fish like this at all. With these laws it would either reduce or eliminate harm to the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI agree with abby on this topic. If we were to establish laws on fishing, this would be less of a problem. I understand people fish for "fun", but think about what this is really doing. You are killing more fish, therefore, no more breeding and less fish. If we were to breed them in fish farms, their would be a better chance they could find a way to keep them alive so they can reproduce. There is no reason they should be bringing fish straight from the ocean. You are immediately killing them. If there is such a problem with hurting the coral reefs, you are also hurting the fish as well and at some point there will not be any fish.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh, i couldn't figure out how to comment. but, i believe that taking away fishing laws would not help, mainly because people will avoid the law and still fish in those areas. so, what could work is banning fishing in some areas that way the fishermen could still fish in that certain spot just not in the same area that's always fished in. the good thing is with this situation is then that allows for them to change the areas around so it's not always one area still blocked off. i also, agree with the fish farm idea because that would let the fish breed but, then later i would release them back into the wild.
ReplyDeleteI was honestly completely shocked about how fish are captured in the wild. Stunned with sodium cyanide? Say what? I am sure after these fish are captured, transported, shocked and put to other stresses, they are considered lucky if they are still living. This is an overlooked industry, for sure, and I am glad scientist and breeders are taking precautions to make it safer!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that they paralized fish in order to catch them...where are the ethics in that?! I think scientists need to start getting busy on a new method of catching saltwater fish. Or coming up with some new hormone that when implanted in the sea floor would make the corals grow a certain percentage faster. I don't know what I can do personally short from boycott saltwater fish and organize a 24-hour picket-sign strike at local saltwater fishing spots
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