Invasion Beyond the Coast: Threats to Biodiversity

Last week, we introduced a growing problem off the shores of the eastern United States and organizations looking to solve this problem. In this installment of Invasion Beyond the Coast, we will look at what makes a species invasive and at the species assaulting our coastline.

"Alien species means," according to The National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC), "with respect to a particular ecosystem, any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that ecosystem.”

Because these non-native species often have no competition or predators, their population grows unchecked. They consume food and territory from native species and may also carry diseases of which the native population has no immunity.

This is when the NISIC classifies them as an "invasive species," which means “an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.”

You might ask yourself how a species can cause economic harm.

Imagine if a species of crab was introduced into the waters off the Atlantic coast. It competes with lobsters for food and territory so much so, that the lobster industry goes under.

Some people might say there is no way for an invasive species to affect an ecosystem like this. But take the Caulerpa taxifolia, for example. This marine algae has decimated many parts of the Mediterranean Sea. Recently, groups like the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team (SCCAT) have taken up the cause to make sure this weed doesn't get a foothold in California waters.

This project has cost $8.3 million to date.

Today, Atlantic natives face threats from fish around the world. These fish include: Emperor Angel (Pomacanthus imperator), 5 other species of Angelfish (Pomacanthus spp.), Orbicular Batfish (Platax orbicularis), Lionfish (Pterois volitans), 3 varieties of Sailfin Tangs (Zebrasoma spp.), Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula), yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), Orangespine Unicornfish (Naso lituratus), and Morrish Idol (Zanclus cornutus).

These animals are native to Indo-West Pacific or Red Sea, but are in the Atlantic most often due to inexperienced aquarists who can no longer care for their animals. Although these animals are beautiful and a treat to see in the wild, this is not where they belong.

For information on how you can help, visit REEF.org.

Be sure to catch the final installment of Invasive Beyond the Coast, where we will discuss the how the average aquarist can make an impact on biodiversity.

Invasion Beyond the Coast: An Ecosystem in Danger

In recent news, scientists have become increasingly concerned over the presence of 16 non-native marine fish species of the eastern coast of the United States. In this, the first of the three part series Invasion Beyond the Coast, we will look at the groups that are leading the charge to classify this threat to our oceans.

Researchers believe that the presence of the fish, which include species of Angelfish, Tangs, Lionfish, is most likely due to hobbyists releasing them into the wild. These fish have been tracked by REEF.org for many years now. One of the goals of reef.org is to catalog the population size and location of each of the non-native species. This data, along with research from many other institutions including the National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC), will be used to gauge the impact of these aquatic aliens on the natural habitats.

The NISIC aquatic division usually tracks freshwater species, but recently has become responsible for marine life as well. This government entity was created in 1999 under Executive Order 13112 by President Clinton. Their mission is to track and catalog all non-native and invasive species in the United States. With this data they gauge the economic and environmental impacts and devise solutions.

For more information on how you can help, visit REEF.org.

Be sure to catch the next installment of Invasive Beyond the Coast, where we will discuss the past and current threats to biodiversity.

Whale Crossing

Happy Valentine's Day!

I received an email this morning from the Ocean Conservancy that I thought I'd share with you.

Oh, and hey: don't think we're getting all political on you or anything. This is more or less FYI in case you want to get involved or learn more.

Anyhoo, here's the meat of the email:

February 20th is an anniversary we do not look forward to celebrating. That day marks one full year that the Bush administration has stalled ship strike protections for endangered North Atlantic right whales—a year in which two more North Atlantic right whales were struck, out of a population that totals only about 350. How many more whales need to be injured and killed from ship strikes before the Bush administration will take action to protect them? Let the President’s Office of Management and Budget hear your voice on behalf of whales.

Ship strikes are the number one cause of death and serious injury to endangered whales, but rather than demanding responsible business practices from shipping companies, the government has stalled rulemaking that would force ships to slow down to protect critically endangered whales. A few influential shipping industry interests have the resources to be heard loud and clear by the Bush administration, while the administration continues to ignore clear scientific evidence showing that slower speeds would save whales. The Bush administration needs to hear your voice on behalf of whales.

If you'd like to sign the petition to tell the Bush administration to stop stalling protections for endangered whales, click on the button below.

Responsible Reef Keeping

As promised in my post last week on $150 Yellow Tangs, I am going to start bringing you the, the reader, the latest in Marine Ornamental Aquaculture.

This week, I would like to bring to your attention a website that has an ever growing library of information on this subject, MarineBreeder.org.

Coming up on it first anniversary, this site already boasts over 500 members dedicated to the "Art & Science" of breeding fish and inverts.

In the forums you will find over 16,500 articles posted on many common aquarium species.

For a bit of freindly competition check out the 2008 Breeder's Challenge. This years choice of fish, the Bangaii Cardinal, is especially important because:

"We can anticipate the Bangaii Cardinalfish to be deservingly listed with CITES under Appendix II protection." Matt Pedersen (mwp) MOFIB

CITES Appendix II protection prohibits the import of a species into the United States. This is why it is important to promote research into sustainable breeding programs.

For more information on proper breeding practices visit their Forum.

For broodstock you can visit the Marketplace.

If you can't find the species you want, then start with something close and experiment. You might just be on the cutting edge of Aquaculture.

Yellow Tangs for the bargain price of $150

I thought that headline might get your attention.

Sadly, it's not a joke.

There is a bill that the Hawaiian Legislature is considering that could raise the prices of all aquarium fish coming from that region of the world.

You can find the Bill here.

To give you the short version, the bill will limit the collection of marine ornamentals in Hawaii to 20 fish per collector with a maximum of 5 yellow tangs per day. The bill will also put a no take policy on all pufferfish, boxfish, potter's angel, cleaner wrasse, eels and many others. This bill will essentially shut down the tropical fish industry in Hawaii which will include the items from Christmas Island and Marshall Islands.

This proposal and many like it around the world are making us face a sad truth. The fish store we call the ocean is not going to be "open" forever.

There is only one thing we as responsible aquarists can do to keep the oceans open. Marine ornamental aquaculture needs to grow to protect this valuable resource. This shouldn't be limited to large aquaculture facilities. The home aquarist can make a difference as well.

Starting today, this will be my new cause, bringing you, the reader, the latest and greatest in marine aquaculture.

For now, we as a community need to stand unified to keep our oceans open. There are many people online who are calling Senator Clayton Hee, the creator of the bill, to voice their opinion. I'm not at liberty to give out his office number, but if you do a little searching I'm sure you can find it.

Thanks,
Scott