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After a detailed review of import records for marine tropical fishentering the United States over a year's span, scientists found1,802 species imported, or 22 percent greater biodiversity thanpreviously estimated. More than 11 million fish were imported from40 countries, which was less than previously reported, as manyfreshwater fish and marine invertebrates were being mistakenlycounted as marine fish. Additionally, they discovered that morethan half of government importation forms during that time hadnumerical or other reporting discrepancies -- resulting in a 27percent overestimation of trade volumes. "There is a delicate balance between the global demand foraquarium fish and its environmental and economic impacts,"said lead author Andrew Rhyne, assistant professor of marinebiology at Roger Williams University and research scientist at theNew England Aquarium. "Without mechanisms in place designedspecifically to monitor the aquarium fish trade, we will never havea keen understanding of how it impacts our oceans and the globaleconomy." "Coral reefs globally are already under tremendous stress fromclimate change, habitat destruction and pollution," notedco-author Michael Tlusty, director of research at the New EnglandAquarium. "Poor harvest practices of tropical fish for thehome aquarium trade can add to that decline, yet when done right,it can help counter those effects provided the economic benefits oflong term sustainability are met locally. That small scalefisheries can provide a framework on which to develop betteroverall management schemes to protect the reefs." The unprecedented study just published by the Public Library ofScience (PLoS) in PLoS One was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration's(NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program, and conducted by scientistsfrom Roger Williams University, New England Aquarium, U.S.Geological Survey, Boston University, Conservation International,NOAA and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. At present, multiple sources of trade data exist, but not all datasystems were intended to monitor the marine wildlife trade.Researchers looked at aquarium trade imports by comparing theavailable commercial invoices to government forms. The review of shipment invoices revealed the number of fishreported on shipping declarations matched the invoices only 52percent of the time. Scientists found repeated instances ofdeclarations marked as marine ornamental fish also containing otherspecies, such as freshwater fish, corals and other non-marinewildlife. The aquarium fish trade is an economic boon for its largestexporters, notably the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.However, as the demand for these exports rise, natural habitats andspecies are impacted. Harvesting these wild species can lead toloss of biodiversity, overfishing, and the use of cyanide andenvironmentally destructive fishing practices. Furthermore, importcountries are at risk for the introduction of non-native speciesand diseases. "Despite all of the negatives, coral reef conservation is anoften overlooked benefit of the marine aquarium trade," saidco-author Les Kaufman, professor of biology at Boston Universityand senior marine scientist at Conservation International."Hobbyists who enjoy these fish and the seaside villagers whocollect them have a common interest -- to maintain the coral reefs.Without coral reef stewardship, the marine aquarium trade wouldeventually cease to exist.". The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Silicone Wrist Watch , Touch Screen Wrist Watches, and more. For more , please visit Children Wrist Watches today!
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