The global trade in marine ornamental species

Conservation issues
Bagging specimens for the ornamental trade.
information. However, research on the marine ornamental
trade between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom
demonstrates that in the mid-1980s about 15 per cent of
fish died during and immediately after collection, another
10 per cent died during transit and a further 5 per cent in
holding facilities 20 . Similar levels of mortality of 10-20 per
cent were found in a study examining the Puerto Rican
trade 186 . As a result of such mortality, more fish often need
to be collected than would be necessary to harvest in order
to meet market demand 32 . Where organisms are collected,
stored and handled by adequately trained individuals, and
transported in suitable conditions, estimated levels of fish
mortality have been as low as a few per cent.
Although post-harvest mortality levels are generally lower
for corals than they are for fish, more live rock and coral
fragments are often collected than would be needed to
satisfy trade demand as originally harvested pieces
are often considered of inadequate size, shape or colour
and discarded.
State-of-the-art equipment may help reduce
losses, but it is also expensive and thus beyond the budget
of many wholesalers in source countries. Fortunately, this
trend is reversing with an increasing number of facilities
in source nations investing in high-tech equipment,
particularly UV lighting systems and protein skimmers.
INVASIVE SPECIES
The introduction of aquarium fish species to areas where
they do not occur naturally is a problem more acute for
freshwater species than for marine species. Reports have
indicated that a number of individuals of the species
Pterois volitans, lionfish (marine fish native to the Indo-
Pacific region), have been observed on four wrecks and
one natural hard bottom off the coast of North Carolina at
depth ranges between 40 and 45 m during 2000 and
2001 187 . Some individuals were also observed off the
Atlantic coast of Georgia during 2001 187 . Previous reports
Yellow tang, Zebrasoma flavescens.
include six lionfish accidentally released in Biscayne Bay,
Florida, from a home aquarium during Hurricane Andrew
(1992) and diver reports of lionfish off Palm Beach and
Boca Raton, Florida, in the early 1990s 187 . The US
Geological Survey (USGS) invasive species database lists
fish species (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/fishes/index.html)
that have been introduced into US waters through
intentional and accidental stocking, release of bait fish,
release of unwanted aquarium fish, escape from aquaculture
facilities and discharge of ballast water 188 .
Examples of species introduced through the potential
release of unwanted aquarium fish include Moorish idol
(Zanclus cornutus), sailfin tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii),
yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), bursa triggerfish
(Rhinecanthus verrucosus), racoon butterflyfish
(Chaetodon lunula), orbiculate batfish (Platax orbicularis),
imperator angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) in
Florida and lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissimus)
in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
USER CONFLICT
One of the most vocal complaints against the aquarium
trade has been that it reduces fish populations in areas
where tourism is thriving and constitutes an important
source of revenue. This has been an issue of particular
concern in Australia and Hawaii 30 and more recently in
Fiji 35 . In popular Australian tourist areas such as Cairns,
Moreton Bay and Whitsunday tourists and recreational
divers often interact with fish and coral collectors 41 . After
a study was carried out in Hawaii showing a significant
reduction in several species of fish due to collection
for the marine aquarium trade, fishing of marine
ornamentals was banned along 30 per cent of the west
coast of the island of Hawaii 123 .
In some Pacific Islands local fishers have also
expressed concern at the aquarium fishery being
unwanted competition for food fish 33 .
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