| Naga
- The *ICLARM Quarterly
Vol.
23, No. 1 (January - March 2000)
Editorial
Behind the
Beautiful Fish in an Aquarium
We
all enjoy the sight of colorful fish and corals
in an aquarium and marvel at the beauty and splendor
of life hidden in the oceans. But we do not often
stop to think of the diverse range of services
these living aquatic resources provide, in their
natural settings, to the planet and its people.
Knowledge of the vast biological diversity of
the oceans is still very limited, even though
we are using their biological resources to satisfy
many human needs – the most basic being food.
The
tropical marine aquarium industry is expanding
by 10-15 percent annually. A typical scenario
is illustrated in the Solomon Islands where women
and men from coastal villages catch ornamental
fish from reefs using hand held nets. About 150
species of fish are caught and exported. They
also export about 30 species of hard and soft
corals and six species of giant clams. So the
aquarium not only provides us a glimpse of beautiful
ocean life, it also provides a living to such
poor coastal communities. However, resort owners,
divers and tourists worry about the possible loss
of the recreational amenity of these beautiful
fish and corals, and scientists are concerned
about the irreversible loss of biodiversity and
damage to coral reef habitats, especially in locations
where blast fishing and other such destructive
practices are prevalent. Coral reefs and their
surrounding environments have been recognized
as one of the most productive resource systems
on earth. They support a quarter of all known
marine species and an estimated one million or
more as yet undocumented.
Clearly,
destructive fishing practices need to be stopped.
But even in situations where such practices are
not used, it is necessary to ensure that the harvests
are not greater than the natural rate at which
these species can replenish themselves. At the
same time the livelihood of coastal villagers,
who have few alternative earning opportunities,
is at stake. It becomes important to balance the
needs of the poor whose livelihood depends on
these resources, the interests of the traders
whose business depends on them, the interests
of the resort owners who earn a living from tourists
and divers, and the interests of all of us who
value and need the biodiversity of natural resources.
Management
of these resources based on scientific knowledge
can provide a solution for these opposing forces.
This knowledge would include the rate of natural
replenishment of species collected from coral
reefs, how the magnitude and frequency of harvesting
affects this, and how the coral colonies recover
from ‘cuttings’ taken for farming. Biological
and ecological studies can help to make an assessment
of the maximum sustainable harvest for different
species. They can also help to develop marine
aquaculture for many species to reduce the pressure
on natural stocks. For example, in the Solomon
Islands giant clams can be cultured for harvesting
and for adding to wild stocks. Such knowledge
should form the basis of management regimes to
regulate and support a sustainable and non-destructive
use of these valuable resources.
Science
is crucial to the formulation of effective policies
for the sustainable use and management of aquatic
resources – a major potential source of food,
medicines and livelihood for the human race.
Rita
Kapadia
Editor
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