Can tighter control over the tropical fish exporting industry keep it profitable and promote good conservation practices?
According to a BBC News Report, the United Nations claim “some of the most colourful and attractive fish to swim the tropical seas may be threatened by the aquarium trade”.
Where are all the beautiful fish in our oceans going?
The United Nations survey revealed that around 20 million saltwater fish, 10 million sea creatures and huge amounts of coral are taken every year for the aquarium trade. In South East Asia, the saltwater aquarium fish trade business brings in between 200 and 300 million dollars a year. Two pounds of aquarium fish was valued at almost $500, while the same weight of reef fish for food was worth only $6. In the interest of making money, why would these fishermen sell their catch to the food market for next nothing when they can make better money in the aquarium trade market?
Is this tragic conservation problem caused by lack regulation by the governments of the world? The answer is ‘yes’ but there is one exception.
Sri Lanka is an example of how government regulation has helped provide employment in low income areas and offers incentives to preserve the fish and corals. Their annual profits from the aquarium industry are around 6 million dollars it keeps approximately 50,000 people employed. Wouldn’t it be nice if other governments did the same as Sri Lanka?
The black market continues to survive and poachers thrive. So let’s stop them by having world wide fish management to help preserve our stock of fish and corals and have tighter control over illegal activity.
