Coral Magazine recently posted an online survey intended to address survival of ornamental marine fish in their readers tanks. Coral Magazine put this survey out in response to an editorial and book promotion written by Robert Winter and posted on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society website.

The current survey results are based upon approximately 250-300 responses according to James Lawrence the editor and publisher of Coral magazine. He cautions that Coral readers tend to be high achievers in the marine aquarium keeping world but there also were a few responders that are new to the hobby.

Both items have stimulated a number of interesting responses. I found Dr. Neil Monks response particularly thought provoking.

I encourage you to review the survey results and read the various responses. What’s clear is that the answers are not simple and people are passionate about these issues but that there is much room for improvement when it comes to overall health management of these species from reef to the home tank. I appreciate Coral Magazine’s willingness to delve into this issue and I’ve found the forum discussions to be very interesting.

As with any industry and hobby there are conscientious and unscrupulous players. It is always easy to point fingers but I’m most interested in how we can constantly move to improve the quality of marine ornamental fish health. Parts of the survey begin to get at this but I’d like to hear some suggestions addressing how the industry and the hobby can begin to be more proactive when addressing these issues.

Some questions for discussion:

• Can there be sustainable harvest?
• Is aquaculture the answer?
• If so, what about the many communities that depend upon wild harvest for their livelihoods?
• Do you think certification is or can be effective?
• How can we incentivize improved health management throughout the supply chain?
• How can we better reach hobbyists and instill the importance of quality husbandry?
• Is it possible to economically insert quarantine and disease screening into the industry?
• If not, how can we convince hobbyists to set up their own quarantine systems?
• How would you go about convincing a new  hobbyist to institute quarantine?
• Can veterinarians play a role here? If so, how? If not, why?
• If the global veterinary profession could assist the industry and hobby what would be the most appropriate role we should play?
• Obviously, my focus is on fish health. Feel free to insert other issues into the discussion.

In past posts I’ve been accused of preaching to the choir. That’s fine because I’m interested in your thoughts as active/passionate members of this hobby and industry .  Be creative. Think outside the box.

So, Let’s hear your your thoughts, comments and ideas!! Just be civil!!