An Aquarium Industry Conservation Initiative
Los Angeles-Based Blue Zoo Aquatics Self-Regulates Aquarium Species
Jun 29, 2008
On June 30th 2008, Blue Zoo Aquatics, a Los Angeles-based leader in the online sale of marine livestock, officially launched a new initiative called CARE. CARE stands for “Conscientious Aquarist Restricted Entry” and is, according to the company, a designation voluntarily applied to certain species of marine animals owing to the species’ status in the wild or its general unsuitability for the majority of home aquaria.
A Sustainable Aquarium Industry
“We have always believed that a sustainable hobby is in everyone’s best interest,” said Mark Martin, who is the Director of Marine Ornamental Research at Blue Zoo Aquatics, but that is not the way some people view the international trade in saltwater fishes, corals and other invertebrates. In fact, the marine aquarium industry is frequently the target of conservation groups and animal rights advocates who believe the industry is not sustainable and should be heavily regulated if not shut down.
The Saltwater Aquarium Trade and Conservation
“It has always been our philosophy that a knowledgeable and conscientious hobbyist is in a better position to conserve coral reefs and coral reef species than someone who has only seen an African flameback angelfish or a moon coral in a book. Saltwater aquarium keeping and conservation should go hand-in-hand, and that’s what the CARE initiative is all about.”
The way the CARE designation works is that Martin designates an animal as a “species of concern” based on his extensive industry experience and advice from marine scientists, aquarists and other industry leaders with whom he consults. The CARE logo will then be placed prominently on that animal’s Blue Zoo Aquatics' web page accompanied by a note explaining why the species is a CARE species. Because Blue Zoo Aquatics commonly works with public aquaria, researchers and advanced aquarists, they do still sell CARE species in some situations, but they do not actively promote the use of these species in home aquaria. If someone wants to purchase a CARE species, Martin first discusses the aquarists’ experience and the animal’s husbandry requirements with the potential buyer.
“It’s as much about education, as it is about regulation,” says Martin.
Needed Education
Education about the marine aquarium industry is definitely needed if some people’s negative perceptions are to be changed. The marine aquarium industry has a well-publicized history of unsustainable collection, shipping and husbandry techniques. According to Martin, however, industry leading companies like Blue Zoo Aquatics are committed to making sure that today’s aquarium trade is more responsible and a strong advocate for marine ecosystems and conservation. While there are those who believe that banning the collection of most if not all wild-caught marine species is the only viable path to conservation, Martin sees another course.
“We believe self-regulation and education is always preferable to regulation imposed by people who may not understand fisheries data, the marine aquarium industry or the role that marine aquarists can play in tropical reef conservation,” says Martin. “We hope the CARE initiative will be a small step toward a stronger industry where educated aquarists will contribute to reef conservation.”
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