Environmental Impact of our Hobby.

[Dearth]

This question pops up often and to be honest there is no easy answer has the hobby harmed the ocean yes it has but to what degree nobody can really answer the same goes for how much has the hobby helped the oceans and there is no question this hobby has helped the oceans but again to what degree is anyone's answer.

Now to step outside the box I am not what you would call an environmentalist I live and work in an industry that cuts down trees for a living to make people's lives easier however environmentalists and Eco-terrorists would have the populace believe we are destroying our forests and habitat for animals. Sadly most people go off half cocked and start spouting logging is evil, pulp and paper is evil and so on (surprising considering most of these people live in and use what we make from trees how eco friendly are they really). It would probably surprise many that forests across the world have actually increased in size including here in BC and there is more habitat available than 25 years ago however most environmentalists and Eco-terrorists don't want to hear that all they hear is what they want to hear.

So what is the point of my out of the box post everything above can be superimposed over the oceans including fishing and collection farming. 30 years ago everybody went crazy with pulling things out of the ocean it is after all a renewable resource then about 20 years ago it was realized that the oceans were changing with overfishing, massive destruction by drag netters and trawlers and collectors of species however it took time to get international regulations in place in the mean time oceans were dying now jump to the present previously killed coral fields and out fished areas are replenishing and while some areas are dying other areas are flourishing but you never about these in the news why is that.

So again how much has the hobby hurt the oceans probably less than we think how much has this hobby opened people's eyes to the ocean and its beauty a lot has it made an impact that is hard to say only time will tell with actual science and not because it makes a good story to thump chests over.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Dearth

Now to step outside the box I am not what you would call an environmentalist I live and work in an industry that cuts down trees for a living to make people's lives easier however environmentalists and Eco-terrorists would have the populace believe we are destroying our forests and habitat for animals. Sadly most people go off half cocked and start spouting logging is evil, pulp and paper is evil and so on (surprising considering most of these people live in and use what we make from trees how eco friendly are they really). It would probably surprise many that forests across the world have actually increased in size including here in BC and there is more habitat available than 25 years ago however most environmentalists and Eco-terrorists don't want to hear that all they hear is what they want to hear.

Reminds me, many years ago, had to go work (in a sawmill) up north (near PG actually) one year to make/save up enough money so I could finish school. Prior to that, I was definitely anti-logging (dominated media at the time), but got a real eye opener while I was up there. What I learned is how more in tune the people up there are with the environment, not just with working outdoors, but playing outdoors as well with fishing, camping, hiking, etc.

So makes me wonder too, whether the collectors in the indo pacific, where we get our corals from, are really damaging the environment as much as the media wants us to believe. They live (and play) there, so would think they have some interest in not destroying their own environment. And just like logging, have to believe that "sustainable harvesting" practices have evolved to encourage that.

I take much greater exception to resort building in some areas (that I have seen in person, like Mexico and the Caribbean) where the associated fill and artificial beaches, have created silt and pollution that kill off the sensitive corals. I have gone snorkeling there and have seen the crumbled stick piles of dead SPS forests. And it is us, as tourists, that ultimately are the cause of that, too.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

And it is us, as tourists, that ultimately are the cause of that, too.

And to link back to the OP's subject I would say it is being in the hobby that has made me more aware and sensitive of the damage that resorts create. Most non hobbyists have no idea, when they see the white sand beaches and go snorkeling there, how the resorts have damaged the corals and reef environment.

So my argument would be that if more people would be in the hobby, there would be more awareness and support to protect reef environments. Hence our hobby is actually good for the environment!!

[Aquattro]

Ok, so awareness creates empathy towards the preservation. How is this implemented in practical terms? I'm pretty fond of reefs, but I still go to resorts
In other words, what actions are created that offset the damage we do?

[Apo Reefer]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Ok, so awareness creates empathy towards the preservation. How is this implemented in practical terms? I'm pretty fond of reefs, but I still go to resorts
In other words, what actions are created that offset the damage we do?

Here's one way, these are informed youth making a difference after seeing the devastation of their reef:

https://youtu.be/npOtFNOZ4vc

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Ok, so awareness creates empathy towards the preservation. How is this implemented in practical terms? I'm pretty fond of reefs, but I still go to resorts
In other words, what actions are created that offset the damage we do?

I now avoid and don't go to resorts where they have destroyed the reefs. That's why I prefer Hawaii (in particular Maui) where there is much more awareness, protection and responsible resort/shoreline development that does not destroy the environment, like in Mexico and those parts. I think the local marine aquariums in Hawaii have also made the public (and tourists) more aware of the local reef environment there. And I think that is what Vancouver Aquarium does as well for us.

So if you really want to help, Brad, don't go to Mexico resorts, and tell all your friends not to... Sure, it is a small part, but your own tank is a small part too.


When friends/family come over to our house and see my tank, I also take the opportunity to explain the reef environment, and tell them how bad some of these resorts are. So my tank is also educational in that way.

And another thing, buying only cultured corals (not wild caught) also helps. Better yet, buy more from your local hobbyist instead of online importers. And yeah, yeah, I know that is not a popular stance with you, as they are vendors which grant us the great privilege of being on this forum...

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

And yeah, yeah, I know that is not a popular stance with you, as they are vendors which grant us the great privilege of being on this forum...

Oh c'mon, leave your politics out of this. I fully and whole-heartedly endorse buying from local hobbyists. It's the core of our hobby. 90% of my coral is locally sourced frags.

This is about our impact, as a hobbyist population globally. All the rock, all the salt, all the gear, the fish, the corals. etc. Not about deforestation, global warming, and all the other impacts that we do not directly control. This is about us keeping aquariums in our home and the direct impact that has when adding all of us up.
I'm not suggesting that there is a right or wrong answer, simply a topic for discussion and something to think about. Maybe change how we consume things after considering the impact.

[Reefer Rob]

Pretty much everything we do has a negative impact on the environment. When I ride my bike to work instead of drive, I run over slugs, insects, the odd small furry creature, and I give nothing back. At best I impact the environment less.

I would say yes we do have a positive effect captive reef keeping. The biggest threat the the reef in the wild is not global warming, but the people who live near the reef. Coral farming by the local inhabitants, who likely have a subsistence lifestyle, gives them a reason to value the reefs. They now have an economic incentive to preserve the local environment, as well as an (relative) affluence they would not have previously had.

The main downside with our tanks of is course our energy guzzling contribution to global warming. If it wasn't for this my tank would be much, much bigger! Oh, and I'd go back to metal halides.