<html>
RE: Releasing aquarium water from coral tanks directly to the
ocean<br>
<br>
I'd like to add my 2-cents to this discussion. The concerns expressed by
David Vogel are of real concern. Last night we had a major spawning
event at the Waikiki Aquarium in two of our outdoor South Pacific coral
exhibits (mostly acroporids from Fiji collected in the 1980's). Due to
concerns about the possible accidental introduction of larvae or
pathogens (or even exotic zooxanthellae !) into our local waters, we have
gone to great lengths to avoid having any water from these aquariums wind
up in the ocean. Had we not done this, we could have easily
"seeded" Waikiki with several exotic species of corals last
night and very likely none of us would have been any wiser because the
event happened after dark. Had we not had someone checking for fish eggs
last night, the coral spawning event would have gone unnoticed.<br>
<br>
Ozone is not a 100% sure method of destroying pathogens, larvae, zooxs
etc., nor is UV sterilization. Sooner or later these mechanical systems
fail (usually at night when no one is around) and untreated water will be
released. The only relatively inexpensive method to solve this problem
would be to dig a large pit (away from the ocean!), fill it with gravel
and direct the effluent into the pit/ground. There are some possible
problems with this method too but at least it is not subject to
mechanical failure.<br>
<br>
By the way, a major coral spawning episode in an aquarium is not a pretty
sight when it's all over!<br>
<br>
Bruce Carlson<br>
Waikiki Aquarium<br>
Honolulu<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
At 08:22 AM 6/27/2001 -1000, Paul Holthus wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>Dear David, <br>
<br>
Your concerns about the culturing of non-Caribbean corals in Dominica are
valid. It is important that culturing efforts take appropriate
precautions re introduced species, parasites and pathogens. <br>
<br>
You may be interested to learn of the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC), an
international organization that brings together conservation
organizations, the responsible members if the marine aquarium industry,
government agencies, public aquariums and other stakeholders. This
growing global network has over 2600 members in 60 countries and is
developing "best practice" standards, a certification system,
and a labeling program for sustainability in the collection, culture and
commerce in marine aquarium organisms. <br>
<br>
The certification system will be launched later this year. The initial
version is focused on the wild caught marine ornamentals industry, as
this accounts for 98% of the animals in the trade. We are working to
develop the standards for culturing as quickly as possible to address the
kinds of operations you have described. This will assist governments,
conservation organizations and concerned individuals such as yourself to
be able to ensure that these operations are not creating environmental
impacts.<br>
<br>
More information on MAC certification is available at the MAC web
site:
<a href="http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/" eudora="autourl">www.aquariumcouncil.org</a>.
If you would like to keep in touch with these developments, I would
encourage you to visit the web site and submit the short form to
subscribe to the MAC network.<br>
<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Paul Holthus <br>
Executive Director <br>
Marine Aquarium Council<br>
<br>
923 Nu’uanu Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii USA 96817 <br>
Phone: (+1 808) 550-8217 Fax: (+1 808) 550-8317
<br>
Email: paul.holthus@aquariumcouncil.org <br>
Website:
<a href="http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/" eudora="autourl">www.aquariumcouncil.org</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2>Date: Tue, 26 Jun
2001 15:33:36 -0300 <br>
From: "Vogel, David" <br>
Subject: Exotic coral cultured in the Caribbean <br>
<br>
I am not a coral researcher. I address this list on the advice of a
member <br>
of the list. I am a physiologist living on the island of Dominica (not to
be <br>
confused for the Dominican Republic). I am concerned about a business
that <br>
has been established on Dominica and seek advice about the hazards it
<br>
presents, if any, and what actions might be appropriate. <br>
<br>
Advanced Marine Technologies describes itself as culturing coral
primarily <br>
for use in restoration of damaged reefs and secondarily for sale to
aquarium <br>
owners. They are, at least, successfully maintaining numerous species of
<br>
coral obtained both from local reefs and from the South Pacific. The
corals <br>
obtained from the South Pacific, and their possible pathogens, are the
<br>
source of my concern. <br>
<br>
The design of the facility is as follows: Seawater from Prince Rupert's
Bay <br>
is circulated through a large tank - possibly in the neighborhood of
50,000 <br>
liters. This tank contains mixed local corals. From this tank water is
<br>
circulated to, perhaps, 15 or 20 small tanks each of which contains an
<br>
single species of coral. Some of these species are from the South
Pacific. <br>
Water being returned to the large tank is treated with ultraviolet light.
<br>
There is no provision for removing particulates, which might be resistant
to <br>
UV treatment, from the return flow. The water in the tanks appeared
clear, <br>
and I was assured that the flow through the tanks is stopped when the
tanks <br>
are cleaned in order to prevent return of particulates. I have some
doubts <br>
about what happens when flow is restored. <br>
<br>
Effluent from the large tank is returned to Prince Rupert's Bay. In
<br>
principle, the effluent is treated with ozone. However, on a recent day,
the <br>
ozone treatment was down and the plant was still returning water to the
<br>
Caribbean. <br>
<br>
With the exception of Haiti, Dominica is the poorest country in the
Western <br>
Hemisphere, and I do not wish to make myself unwelcome in this lovely,
<br>
friendly place by causing unwarranted trouble for even a small industry.
<br>
(The banana economy of these 70,000 people has been destroy by a U.S.
<br>
decision to force the British Commonwealth to stop subsidizing Dominican
<br>
bananas.) However, I feel obliged to inquire as to the risks Advanced
Marine <br>
Technologies presents, and for example, what international treaties might
be <br>
relevant to its operation. For some time prior to finding the ozone
<br>
treatment down, I have had concerns about the level of training of the
<br>
personnel who operate the plant, and about the ability of the government
of <br>
this small place to regulate such a facility. <br>
<br>
David Vogel Home: 1-767-445-3598 <br>
<br>
Ross University Office: 1-767-445-5355 ext. 287 <br>
<br>
P.O. Box 266 FAX: 1-767-445-3457 <br>
<br>
Portsmouth E-mail: dvogel@rossmed.edu.dm <br>
<br>
Commonwealth of Dominica </blockquote><br>
Paul Holthus <br>
Executive Director, Marine Aquarium Council <br>
<br>
923 Nu'uanu Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii USA 96817 <br>
Phone: (+1 808) 550-8217 Fax: (+1 808) 550-8317
<br>
Email: paul.holthus@aquariumcouncil.org <br>
Website:
<a href="http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/" eudora="autourl">www.aquariumcouncil.org</a><x-tab> </x-tab>~~~~~~~
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