One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish:

A look at the aquarium industry in Hawaii

“Over 5000 known species of marine plants and animals find their homes in Hawaii's coastal reefs, 25% of which are found nowhere else in the world” (HCRI, 2012). Yet the aquarium industry is taking an alarming number of these fish yearly to support private profit (EJ, 2012).

All coral reef ecosystems are complex and very unique. Most of the fish taken for the aquarium industry in Hawaii are predominantly herbivorous, reef dwellers. These fish help control the growth of algae with can kill off corals if not kept under control. Research has shown that altering the biodiversity (numbers and types of fish) of coral reefs can lower the reef ecosystem’s ability to respond to disturbances and pressures such as global climate change (EJ, 2012).

In efforts to help conserve dwindling reef health, Earth Justice, has filed a complaint under the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act in the First Circuit Court asking the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources to protect Hawaiʻi’s reefs and coastal areas from unlimited collection of fish and other wildlife for the aquarium trade. According to Earthjustice, “DLNR has not conducted any studies showing how its policy of handing out permits for the asking will affect Hawaiʻi’s reefs over time”, (EJ, 2012)

You can read more about the complaint filed and more about coral reefs here:

http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2012/citizens-and-conservation-groups-file-suit-to-protect-hawai-i-s-reef-ecosystems

http://www.hcri.ssri.hawaii.edu/about/about.html

Students: please note our holiday hours here . As a result next week's blog post may not occur. See you all next year!! Don't forget you can research coral reef ecosystems, biodiversity and Hawaii at our searchwise link here.   Happy holidays.

References

Earth Justice (EJ), 2012. Online. http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2012/citizens-and-conservation-groups-file-suit-to-protect-hawai-i-s-reef-ecosystems

HCRI (Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative), 2012 online. http://www.hcri.ssri.hawaii.edu/about/about.html

Image credit: Brooke Everett. http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2012/citizens-and-conservation-groups-file-suit-to-protect-hawai-i-s-reef-ecosystems

It’s not easy being green

Ecotourism

 

Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" (TIES, 1990). Nature, low impact, bio, and green tourism are often interchanged with ecotourism, but do not usually meet the principles defined by organizations dedicated to Ecotourism (Briney, 2012).

According to the International Ecotourism Society, “ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles”:

                Minimize impact

                Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.

                Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

                Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.

                Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.

                Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

If ecotourism is heavily monitored, it can be a good thing and help save bio-sensitive areas by providing income, alternative food opportunities and education for indigenous people; however it can also contribute to the destruction of vital biodiverse areas. Tourism is a rapid destabilizer for healthy ecosystems (Nash, 2009). Poorly managed programs and increased populations in sensitive areas are drivers for biodiversity loss and may be the “last nail in the coffin” (Sandilayan, 2012).

Attitudes of tourists toward the animals, and environment have a large impact. Animals are harassed, plastic and trash is left behind. Cups left behind with sugary drinks attract bees, which become death traps for the bees. Plastic bags can clog the aerial roots of sensitive mangrove trees, resulting in poor air circulation and sometimes leading to the death of young plants.  Bags in tree branches produce a uncharacteristic sound during wind flow, annoying and driving away the foraging waterbirds. Boat noise, sunbathing and various other human activities have sometimes subtle but devastating effects on wildlife and ecosystems (Sandilayan, 2012).

Ecotourism is a rapidly growing industry. Careful assessment and continuous monitoring are needed (Sandilayan, 2012). To learn more about ecotourism and how it can be effective; check out the web links below (note not all web resources are peer reviewed).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism

http://www.ecotourism.org/

http://www.conservation.org/learn/culture/ecotourism/Pages/ecotourism.aspx

http://www.ecotourismconference.org/

http://geography.about.com/od/locateplacesworldwide/a/ecotourism.htm

References:

Briney, A., 2012. Online. http://geography.about.com/od/locateplacesworldwide/a/ecotourism.htm

Nash, S., 2009. Ecotourism and Other Invasions. BioScience 59(2):106-110. 2009

http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1525/bio.2009.59.2.3 (must be logged into FAU network to access)

Sandilyan, S. 2012. Online. Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/ecotourism-last-nail-in-the-coffin-of-biodiversity/article4130989.ece

(TEIS) The International Ecotourism Society http://www.ecotourism.org/

Image credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fernando_noronha.jpg