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<DIV><FONT size=2>At Bermuda we completely agree with the need to protect
against introduction of exotics. As the Bermuda Aquarium runs largely on an open
system, we display no exotics or even imported specimens of locally abundant
species. Indeed, in Bermuda the importation of live marine specimens for aquaria
is not permitted. It really is a shame when there is such great inconsistency in
protection of shared waters from invasive species. What happens in the Caribbean
is certainly of concern to us in Bermuda. None of us have forgotten the mass
mortality of Diadema which appeared to originated somewhere near Panama and led
to the loss of most of those urchins throughout the region and as far north as
Bermuda. Also with regard to Bruce's comment about mechanical systems failing
when noone is around, experience certainly supports that premise.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Jack Ward</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A href="mailto:carlson@waquarium.org" title=carlson@waquarium.org>Bruce
Carlson</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
href="mailto:paul.holthus@aquariumcouncil.org"
title=paul.holthus@aquariumcouncil.org>Paul Holthus</A> ; <A
href="mailto:coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
title=coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov>coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A
href="mailto:dvogel@rossmed.edu.dm"
title=dvogel@rossmed.edu.dm>dvogel@rossmed.edu.dm</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, June 27, 2001 9:36
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Exotic coral cultured in the
Caribbean</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>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 cite type="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 cite type="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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