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CONSERVATION
Freshwater biodiversity is highly threatened today - a fact that should
be on the mind of every serious aquariast. The natural habitats of
tropical freshwater fish are increasingly threatened by human
activities, and while at times the hobby has been been at odds with
conservation, the role of aquariasts in preserving species is growing in
importance.
As their natural habitats are lost, freshwater fish species are
disappearing. A Malaysian study found fewer than half of the 266
resident fish species, while more than 30% of Singapore's fish species
are thought to be extinct. Freshwater biodiversity is highly
vulnerable. Habitats tend to be largely discontinuous meaning species
cannot easily cross land barriers that separate lakes and watersheds.
Thus freshwater fauna is generally localized, static, and subject
changing conditions. Whereas terrestrial species simply migrate in
response to habitat changes, freshwater species must cope with
ecological and climatic changes in order to persist.
Freshwater habitats are facing an onslaught of threats from
deforestation, waterway modification and dam construction, the
introduction exotic species, pollution, and over exploitation.
Deforestation in particular has major consequences for species popular
in the hobby. Erosion and the loss of habitat can severely affect fish
populations. Similarly damaging, the introduction of non-native species
(exotics) can devastate the local fauna as in the case of the Nile Perch
in Lake Victoria which has caused the extinction of endemic
Haplochromines.
Collection for the hobby has had a direct impact on some species to the
extent that they have become locally extinct over parts of their
ranges. For example the Bala shark is highly threatened in its native
Sumatra and Borneo due to its popularity as an aquarium fish. In the
past the Bala Shark (Balantiocheilus melanopterus) was heavily collected
since it did not readily reproduce in captivity (this has changed as
Balas are now captivity bred in fish farms). To optimize exploitation,
collectors targeted breeding grounds where Balas congregate for mass
spawning. The removal of breeding adults coupled with loss of habitat
from deforestation significantly impacted local populations. Similar
over harvesting has been documented among characins and the Arowana.
Today the role of aquariasts in conservation is changing. As habitat
loss continues -- especially the destruction of tropical forests -- the
importance of aquariasts in conservation is expanding. Aquariasts are
helping to maintain species (such as Cherry barbs and certain Killifish)
that are essentially extinct in the wild. By keeping these species and
populations viable, the fish-keeping community is protecting against
extinction. When and if reintroduction to natural habitats becomes
possible, it will be in part thanks to aquariasts.
Time has effectively run out for many species. Aquariasts can do their
part in preventing the further extinction of some freshwater fish.
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Recent news
Using fish as livestock feed threatens global fisheries
(11/18/2009)
Fish doesn't just feed humans. Millions of tons of fish are fed every year to chickens, pigs, and even farmed fish even in the midst of rising concerns over fish stocks collapses around the world. Finding an alternative to fish as livestock feed would go a long way toward preventing the collapse of fish populations worldwide according to a new paper in Oryx.
ICCAT fails to protect critically endangered tuna—again
(11/15/2009)
The International Commissions for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) ignored the advice of its scientists to end fishing of the Atlantic bluefin tuna. Instead ICAAT set a quota of 13,500 tons of fish. This is not the first time ICCAT has flouted its own researchers' advice: it has repeatedly set quotas well-above its researchers' recommendations.
Governments, public failing to save world's species
(11/04/2009)
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) 2008 report, released yesterday, 36 percent of the total species evaluated by the organization are threatened with extinction. If one adds the species classified as Near Threatened, the percentage jumps to 44 percent—nearly half.
Atlantic bluefin tuna should be banned internationally: ICCAT scientists
(10/29/2009)
Scientists with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) have said in a new report that a global ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing is justified. ICCAT meets in November to decide if they will follow their scientist's recommendations.
The Yangtze River may have lost another inhabitant: the Chinese paddlefish
(10/22/2009)
In December of 2006 it was announced that the Yangtze River dolphin, commonly known as the baiji, had succumbed to extinction. The dolphin had survived on earth for 20 million years, but the species couldn't survive the combined onslaught of pollution, habitat loss, boat traffic, entanglement in fishing hooks, death from illegal electric fishing, and the construction of several massive dams. Now, another flagship species of the Yangtze River appears to have vanished.
Freshwater species worse off than land or marine
(10/15/2009)
Scientists have announced that freshwater species are likely the most threatened on earth. Extinction rates for freshwater inhabitants are currently four to six times the rates for terrestrial and marine species. Yet, these figures have not lead to action on the ground.
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