Volume 15, Number 2 • March-April 1997

Marine Ornamentals and Aquaculture

Marine ornamentals are not as innocuous as the name might imply. Fish and shellfish used mainly in aquarium tanks are big business. Although it is difficult to obtain reliable dollar values, a 1992 estimate put the wholesale value of trade at greater than $400 million in the U.S., with a retail value at some $7 billion globally. While this is good news for the ornamental industry, it can be a problem for the ecosystems that provide these species.

The reason, says Chris D'Elia, Director of the Maryland Sea Grant Program, is that a majority of marine ornamentals are taken from the wild. "Much of the collection pressure focuses on coral reefs in developing nations where harvesting practices are often destructive." Harvesting, says D'Elia, often involves the use of poisons (e.g., cyanide) or explosives, and such practices can result in high mortalities to the catch and by-catch alike - they may also damage reef superstructures as well as other members of the reef community. The economic implications alone are of concern since many reef organisms are sources of important compounds such as biomedical materials and pharmaceuticals.

D'Elia has been instrumental in coordinating support for an initiative in the conservation and culture of marine ornamental fishes and invertebrates. The objectives are two-fold, he says: "to ease harvest pressure on natural stocks of reef organisms that are now in serious jeopardy, and to develop the economic potential of the marine ornamental aquaculture industry." This initiative was the focus of a meeting at the World Aquaculture Society in Seattle, Washington that brought together representatives from the National Sea Grant Office, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Sea Grant Directors from across the country, the Cooperative Extension Service, the New England and National Aquariums, private institutions, the USDA Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center, and the National Coastal Resources Research Institute.

A steering committee from this group identified several immediate goals:

Raise the awareness of the importance of the industry and the challenges and/or opportunities for the development of a renewable resource through culture and husbandry activities.
Assemble data and information on the environmental impacts of the industry as it is now practiced.
Identify areas where new information is needed and where education could enhance sustainability.
Develop a network of those active in marine ornamental issues, current partnerships among industry users, scientists and conservation.

The plan of action calls for (1) developing of a brief outline for a national Sea Grant initiative; (2) convening a steering committee meeting in the fall in conjunction with the Florida Aquaculture Association to interact with the Florida ornamental industry; and (3) develop formal marine tropical ornamental interest groups.

Those who are interested should contact Dr. Reggie Harrell of the Sea Grant Extension Program at (410) 221-8466 for further information.

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