Archive for the ‘Reef Conservation’ Category
Public Commentary on the Proposed Regulations for 66 Reef-building Corals Ends Very Soon
Even if you only spend just a few minutes on the net here and there, chances are you’ve heard about the new proposal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to list 66 reef-building corals under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal comes in response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity [...]
What Effect Will ‘Finding Dory’ Have on Blue Hippo Tangs?
The Disney Pixar smash hit about a clownfish seeking out his lost son was undoubtedly a welcomed family movie that warmed the hearts of millions. Obviously we’re talking about ‘Finding Nemo’ here, and for the aquarium hobby and ocean conservationists, the movie presented a unique dichotomy. On one hand, it got people, especially children, excited [...]
EPA Rule Changes for Shipping Vessel Ballast Water to Cut Down on Invasive Marine Species
When people think of non-native species invading a particular area, they often blame pet owners for releasing them into the wild. Such is the case for the lionfish debacle in the Atlantic and adjoining waters, as well as the presence of big snakes in the Florida Everglades, but it’s not always the pet owners that [...]
Coral Reef in Thailand Destroyed for Sea Walking Tourists
According to a recent article on Fish Channel, a reef located near Phuket, Thailand is being destroyed by a group of “sea gypsies” who were hired by a sea walking company to clear the area for development. Apparently, the company wanted to remove a vast amount of coral in order to create a flate surface on the [...]
Idaho Aquarium Accused of Illegal Fish Harvesting
The owner of the Idaho Aquarium, Ammon Covino, and one of the aquarium’s directors, Christopher Conk, were both arrested last Thursday on charges that they conspired to illegally harvest marine animals from Florida in order to bring them back to the Boise-based aquarium exhibit. According to various news reports, Covino attempted to purchase eagle rays [...]
The Coral Restoration Foundation Opens New Education Center
We try to take every opportunity to highlight reef conservation activities here at AquaNerd, and chances are you have heard us mention the Coral Restoration Foundation a time or two. Often abbreviated CRF, this Florida-based operation has a simple, yet ongoing goal of coral reef preservation that has been successfully achieved time and time again [...]
Jewelry Company CEO Popped with Big Fine for Illegal Coral Smuggling
Here’s another shining example of why the marine aquarium industry shouldn’t be blamed for all of the ocean’s woes. According to the Jamaica Observer, Ashu Bhandari, a former CEO of a jewelry manufacturing company, was fined almost $1 million for illegally smuggling black corals into the US Virgin Islands. In addition to the hefty fines, [...]
Add Panther Groupers to the Growing List of Fish Invading Florida Waters
As if the lionfish invasion in the Atlantic wasn’t enough, it looks like there might be another non-native predator getting cozy in the waters around Florida. According to a recent story by the Huffington Post, spearfishermen diving off North Key Largo, Florida on December 23rd came across what they thought was a black grouper. The [...]
Dive Footage Shines Light on the Magnitude of the Lionfish Invasion
The lionfish invasion currently ongoing in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico shouldn’t come as news to anyone these days, but the sheer numbers of the non-native predator most likely will. While wildlife organizations are constantly preaching about the population explosion, it’s hard for the general public to get a grasp on [...]
Anti-Aquarium Activists File Suit Against Hawaiian DLNR to Stop Aquarium Collection
With the anti-aquarium legislation in Hawaii basically getting nowhere this year, the normally volatile hotbed of anti-aquarium activists in the island state has been suspiciously quiet. We haven’t heard from our beloved friends Snorkel Bob and For the Fishes in a while (sarcastic tone implied), but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been busy. In fact, [...]
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