I Just Don't Get It...

Is there a list somewhere of sustainably harvested fish?

 

Good question? I'll look around.

Lion fish are probably an example.

 

Of the hundreds of species of fish that find their way from the oceans to our tanks, here is the miniscule list of captive-bred fish found at one of the most popular online vendors. There are only 27, and roughly half are designer clowns. That's my problem. Why are we spending so much time and resources on creating something that doesn't exist in nature instead of preserving nature by breeding more species?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/...fm?c=15 1500&s=ts&count=24&start=1&page_num=1

 

That's a good list to start with. Thanks Mr Bill. And I assume that the majority of corals are propagated from captive mother colonies so most every frag would be considered sustainable?

 

No, not at all. While the list of aquacultured/maricultured corals has a few more species than the one for captive bred fish, it still only makes up a small fraction of the available corals, unfortunately, and again we're developing designer varieties of a choice few for more profit rather than expanding the number of actual species being propagated.

 

There must be some suppliers that are more inclined to have frags that are not directly from the ocean?

 

Yes, there are a choice few that focus on variety of species rather than expensive eye candy from zoas and acros. Here is one:

http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/Frags-Under-15-Prodlist.html

But when the vast majority of local and mainstream vendors are still selling mostly wild specimens, then there's still a lot more to be done.

 

Guys, I don't mean to upset anyone, so I say this cautiously...

1. I'm not sure this discussion belongs in general reef topics. It's a very politically charged subject and as such might belong elsewhere.
2. Poor societies consume everything then starve. The soviet economic model sucks (this year, everyone get clownfish. Next year, salt water for all!). It's rich societies that give a damn about marine biologists and ecologists. People buying pretty clowns isn't greed, it's the thing that's caused wealth, economic freedom, and lifespans unheard of in human history. If we want to have a metaphysical argument about whether humans deserve to exist, go for it. Until you're ready to tell me which people we need to kill off, it's probably at least friendly to recognize the vast wealth and happiness stuff like designed clownfish has allowed (and all the great folks doing great work in sustainability that came to that work, or are part of a profession partly funded by same).

 

I just simply want to find a source that isn't adding to the problem.

 

Thanks Mr Bill. Exactly what I was looking for.