06/08/93 ag508 <1> AQUATIC SURVIVAL Bulletin of the Aquatic Conservation Network Volume 1, Number 2 - June 1992 ISSN 1188-553X (unformatted version) 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8 Tel. (613) 729-4670. Fax. (613) 729-5613. (CompuServe 71022,3537) (Internet rob@pinetree.org) *********** Aquatic Conservation Network Directors Dennis Hough, 3626 Glenwood Springs Dr., Kingwood, Texas 77345, USA. Tel: (713) 360-9549. Fax: (713) 360-0855 Rob Huntley, 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8. Tel: (613) 729-4670. Fax: (613) 729-5613. Shawn Prescott, Red Sea Fish pHarm Ltd., P.O. Box 4045, Eilat 88000, Israel. Tel: 972-7-331307. Fax: 972-7-379340. Advisory Directors Chris Andrews, National Aquarium in Baltimore Eugene Balon, Institute of Ichthyology, University of Guelph Heiko Bleher, Aquarium Rio, Germany Al Castro, formerly with the Steinhart Aquarium Bruce Gebhardt, North American Native Fishes Association Nelson Herwig, Houston Zoo Ken Lazara, American Museum of Natural History Paul Loiselle, New York Aquarium Gene Lucas, Biology Department, Drake University Gordon Reid, North of England Zoological Society Tony Ribbink, JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology Daniel Richardson, Federation of American Aquarium Societies Craig Watson, Florida Cooperative Extension Service *********** AQUATIC SURVIVAL Bulletin of the Aquatic Conservation Network International Standard Serial Number - ISSN 1188-553X Published quarterly (March, June, September and December) by The Aquatic Conservation Network, Inc., 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8. Attn: Robert V. Huntley, Editor. Telephone: (613) 729-4670. Fax: (613) 729-5613. Upcoming deadlines for submissions are August 21, 1992 and November 20,1992. The views expressed in published material are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Aquatic Conservation Network. 06/08/93 ag508 <2> JOIN NOW! Annual membership is $25.00 (Canadian or U.S.) Aquatic Conservation Network 540 Roosevelt Avenue Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2A 1Z8 *********** Aquatic Survival Deadline for the next issue is May 22, 1992 06/08/93 ag508 <3> CONSERVATION GENETICS AND EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY: A CASE STUDY OF THE CICHLID FAUNA OF LAKE VICTORIA October 30 - November 2, 1992 The cichlid fauna of the rift valley Great Lakes of Africa form one of the most extraordinary assemblages of freshwater species on earth. Over one thousand species of cichlid fishes are found in these lakes, predominantly focused in the three major lakes, Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi (Fryer and Iles, 1972). Environ- mental deterioration, due to human activity has begun to have a catastrophic impact on these fish (Ogutu-Ohwayo, 1990). Evidence of severe environmental deterioration is most striking for Lake Victoria, the largest of the rift valley lakes. Originally the home of over 300 endemic species, the lake has been subjected to severe environmental change since 1960, following the introduction of the Nile perch. The haplochromine cichlids of Lake Victoria represent the major part of this fauna, and are one of the most extraordinary evolutionary assemblages of vertebrates ever described (Greenwood, 1981). That assemblage is in danger of imminent extinction. The symposium will focus in large part on attempts to collect genetic data and husbandry information from some extant haplochro- mine populations and from several recently collected, captive managed populations. Participants will consider an extensive list of questions related to genetic management and conservation genetics (see below). This list relates both to specific issues facing the Lake Victoria haplochromine project and to general issues facing other programs to preserve aquatic fauna. The symposium is being coordinated with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation programs in fishes, which considers the Lake Victoria project as a primary demonstra- tion project. The Lake Victoria haplochromine captive breeding studbook has been approved as a model for future conservation programs in freshwater fishes by the IUCN. The symposium will result in the production of working papers on the development of approaches for the maintenance of genetic and biotic variation in Lake Victoria's fish community, species management, and, in some cases, strategies to be used in the ultimate reintroduction of species which have become extinct in their natural habitats. Sessions have also been planned for consideration of the more general aspects of genetic conservation of fish. The knowledge gained in this case study will be contrasted during the latter stages of the symposium to several other specific situations, and should contribute to the refinement of general management tech- niques for the genetic management and conservation of other species of fish. Strategies which apply to the Lake Victoria haplochromines can be evaluated for their utility in at least two other freshwater groups for which management plans are being developed. These are the fishes of the Appalachian basin and the fishes of the South- western desert region. The strategies would also be evaluated as they apply to the formulation of plans for the management of the Great Lakes aquatic fauna. In addition, there will be a consider- ation of lessons which can be learned from the study of successful, and not so successful captive breeding, genetic management and species reintroduction projects which have been attempted with mammalian groups. This will allow an examination of factors which characterize fish communities, but may not be factors in the conservation genetics of terrestrial species. The general sessions include: - African haplochromine cichlids: ecology and extinction from the great lakes of the African Rift Valley: Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi; - Approaches to the genetic management of captive fish popula- tions; - The Lake Victoria cichlids: genetic aspects of captive management; aquaculture; conflicting pressures on genetic re- sources; - Lessons from other aquatic systems; captive breeding programs and their status; - Southwest desert fishes, Appalachian fauna and others; lessons from mammalian conservation genetics; and - The model for fish conservation genetics: Lake Victoria cichlids; long term goals of conservation genetics in fishes. Questions to be Addressed by the Symposium: For those attending the conference, a list of questions has been prepared as food for thought before you get there: General questions about conservation management: 1. What are the principles for the conservation of genetic resources? 2. How can the conservation of genetic resources in aquatic populations be accomplished? Are fish communities substan- tially different in structure from terrestrial communities? Are proportionately more species in a fish community in danger of possible eradication when ecosystems begin to collapse? 3. What agencies (governmental, international, academic, zoo/aquarium) must cooperate is successful genetic conserva- tion programs are to be accomplished? Are the agendas of different agencies on the methods and justification of conservation programs concordant or in conflict? 4. What has been the research history of the use of captive populations to preserve genetic resources? What is the structure of a captive management program? Is a captive management program different for fish than for mammals? Questions about conservation genetics: 1. What is known about the genetic parameters which affect species survival? How do these parameters relate to long term success of a species in nature versus in samples of the species which have been collected for captive management? 2. What data is available on interspecific and intraspecific genetic variability? How important are these measures to the long term success of a species or faunal group? 3. What approaches to gathering genetic information are most cost-effective? What approaches are most conservative in sacrificing specimens? How do we preserve information (tissues or specimens) which cannot be analyzed immediately? 4. How are genetic factors of preservation to be dealt with? How many founders do we need for a successful captive managed population? What will be the recommended breeding structure? How do we deal with multiple generations? How fast should population turnover occur? How large a managed population size should be recommended? 5. How does phenotypic plasticity in the captive managed taxa affect management and preservation strategies? What steps are necessary to prevent selection for domestication? Is selection for domestication an undesirable outcome of captive breeding under all situations? Genetic conservation of the Lake Victoria haplochromines: 1. What is the status of various endangered haplochromine species in Lake Victoria? How many species are known to remain? Have some captive breeding species already become extinct in Lake Victoria? How have the number of species declined differently for different ecological niches? How have numbers of individ- uals changed? 2. What are the taxonomic/genetic differences between species of Lake Victoria cichlids (are all accepted as valid species)? What is known about intraspecific genetic variation in haplochromine cichlids? Are there any "within lake" races which need consideration for preservation? What steps can be recommended for verification of species identifications? 3. What species are candidates for preservation in the program? How many species should we attempt to preserve in captive management programs? What distribution of ecological represen- tatives should be included? What other criteria should be used in making future decisions about adding taxa? 4. What about members of other taxonomic groups, such as non-haplochromine cichlids or non-cichlid fish? How does their status affect long term plans for the haplochromine fauna? Questions related to the bureaucracy of a species preservation program: 1. What are the appropriate management strategies to be advocated for the preservation of Lake Victoria cichlids? Are they unique to this group, or are they general strategies for preservation of any endangered aquatic fauna? What uses of captive populations may be unique to the Lake Victoria fauna? 2. Does the Lake Victoria cichlid conservation program pose any unique problems in getting agencies to cooperate? What agencies are involved? Do all groups who must be involved for the program to be successful want to be involved? What do they gain from their involvement? 3. What institutions should be involved in captive propagation and how are decisions to be made on distribution of species into the consortium? Can small aquariums or non-aquarium zoos become a meaningful part of the effort? Are hobbyists and private collectors a significant factor in the preservation effort? How will the program be coordinated? 4. What role does the aquarium hobby industry play in a conserva- tion program for fish? Are there objectives of species management which are contradictory to the objectives of the hobby industry? How can management be maintained by a coordinating body, and is that necessary or even desirable in all cases? Questions of species captive management and husbandry: 1. What husbandry aspects need to be considered for the preserva- tion of haplochromine cichlids? Are growth constraints on individual specimens, a possible outcome of limited space, an important consideration? What selection for domesticated traits might occur? How are the behavioral and ecological factors which impact on mating success to be identified? 2. How do we keep track of individuals in the management program? Do individual tagging techniques need to be developed? If so, what kind? Do we need to track particular genetic lineages as individuals, or alternatively as broods, or is no tracking necessary? What sort of studbook or species book should be recommended? How do behavioral factors (dominance, subordina- tion) affect strategies of genetic preservation? 3. What recommendations are necessary for the preserving institu- tions (zoos/aquaria)? Can we identify strategies to best use limited resources? How are the resources of the research scientist and the conservation manager (zoo curator/aquarist) best utilized in a cooperative fashion? Are there methods of communication which can be instituted to better share information and maintain species records? What standard procedures need to be instituted to facilitate institutional interaction? 4. What ethical questions might be raised by a captive propaga- tion program? How do we deal with questions of culling? What do we do with surplus individuals, if they occur in some species? How do we deal with taxa which turn out to be possible hybrids? What about taxa which might be polymorphic morphs of a species, or localized morphs? Questions concerning topics beyond the control of the management program: 1. How does the captive propagation effort fit into larger efforts to restore the environmental balance of lake Victoria? 2. What are the legitimate prospects for reintroduction? How have previous maintenance/reintroduction efforts in other systems (i.e. mammalian) fared? Will zoo/aquaria resources be well spent if invested in the preservation of Lake Victoria cichlids? 3. How do the legitimate economic interests of the countries abutting Lake Victoria affect the prospects of ecological restoration? How does this affect the development of plans for genetic conservation of aquatic resources from the lake? 4. Can genetic questions related to aquaculture lead to conflicts between the aims of different agencies cooperating in a conservation program? Is aquaculture for some haplochromines a viable option? Does aquacultural domestication require different endpoints in terms of maintaining genetic variation? Questions about extrapolating recommendations of the Lake Victoria project to other programs: 1. Are the problems of the Lake Victoria project general? Are they similar to problems which are being or will be encoun- tered in management of the Great Lakes fisheries, the Appalachian basin fishes or Southwestern desert fishes? Can a model approach be developed for preservation of endangered freshwater fauna? 2. Do any of the questions concerning genetic conservation which are detailed above lead to identifiably different conclusions for other managed programs for preservation of fish? Workshops There will also be a 1/2 day workshop on captive husbandry methods and species inventory management to be held at the aquarium of the Columbus Zoo, followed by a cookout and social. The husbandry workshop will demonstrate specific successful techniques for breeding and caring for Lake Victoria cichlids including: - feeding/nutrition; - how to identify species; - tank movement of individuals; tagging techniques; - recognizing gravid females; stripping females; - necropsy methods; - tank photography techniques; and - use of computer software. The species inventory management workshop will be an organizational workshop for studbook coordinators and species coordinators involved in the preservation of various species of African cichlids. This workshop will: - discuss the logistics of inventory, studbook format, tracking of individuals and genetic lines, and reporting of breeding results to the central inventory system; - establish short term objectives concerning current inventory of individuals and on the process determining moves of stock; and - discuss the priorities and schedule for the captive propagation program. Poster Session There will be a poster session on subjects related to aquatic conservation projects and programs and current research in related areas. Registration The symposium is being co-hosted by the Ohio State University, College of Biological Sciences and the Columbus Zoo and will take place between October 30 - November 2, 1992. It is open to any interested person. The fee for registration is expected to be US$135 ($65 for students, $60/day for single day registration) and includes a social Friday night, continental breakfasts and lunches during the meeting, and the cookout/social on Sunday. The symposium takes place at the Stouffer Hotel, 600 Metro Place, North, Dublin, Ohio 43017, U.S.A. Tel:(614) 764-2200. Fax: (614) 764-1214. Mention the Columbus Zoo/OSU fish conservation meeting to obtain the group discount of $66 per night. Registration material and poster session information can be obtained from Doug Warmolts, Columbus Zoo Aquarium, 9990 Riverside Drive, Box 400, Powell, Ohio 43065-0400, U.S.A. Tel: (614) 645-3400. Fax: (614) 645-3465. Alternatively, contact Paul Fuerst, Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University. Tel: (614) 292-6403. Fax: (614) 292-4466. References Fryer, G. and T.D. Iles. 1972. The Cichlid Fishes of the Great Lakes of Africa. Edinburgh, Oliver & Boyd, 642 pp. Greenwood, P.H. 1981. The haplochromine fishes of the East African lakes. Collected papers on their taxonomy, biology and evolution, with an introduction and species index. New York, Cornell Univ. Pr., 839 pp. Ogutu-Ohwayo, R. 1990. the decline of the native fishes of lakes Victoria and Kyoga (East Africa) and the impact of introduced species, especially the Nile perch, Lates niloticus, and the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Env. Biol. Fishes 27: 31-96. This article was developed from a funding proposal prepared by the symposium program committee. (See 'ACN News' regarding our involvement at this symposium). 06/08/93 ag508 <4> LETTERS "Aquarium" I would like to congratulate you all on 'Taking the bull by the horns' (so to speak) and establishing an organisation to promote conservation in our particular branch of nature. I will certainly give you as much exposure in my new magazine, AQUARIUM, and, hopefully, I will be able to contribute to your aims by slotting special articles into an ACN linked section. Once I have completed my doctorate studies (including a field expedition to the Upper Rio Negro this year to look at endangered catfish species) I should be able to contribute more time to your ideals and be actively helpful. Even so, you can link my name to your organisation and, if I can help, please let me know. Best wishes to everyone involved, David Sands 4c Bannister Hall Drive, Higher Walton, Preston, U.K. PR5 4DE British Killifish Association When I wrote to you previously I did so as an interested individual on a purely personal level, however this time I do so as the International Representative for the British Killifish Association. This is a new position created by the committee of our Association in response to the interest generated by the discussion following the presentation of the "Draft Publication" circulated by the ACN, to a full meeting of the BKA management committee in April. There are several matters which still have to be addressed internally, mainly to do with constitutional and rule changes but at least now I am in a position to say that all future communica- tions for the BKA can be sent to me. Its going to take me quite some time to get things organised properly, to find out exactly what everyone is doing, and what species they are maintaining. This may be quite difficult as we do have some three to four hundred members world-wide and they are used to working as individuals. I do know that a study group is being formed to investigate the Aphyosemion striatum group of fishes, and requests for further information can be obtained through me. The main purpose of this letter has been to confirm our continued interest in the ACN. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Yours sincerely, Mike Hansell 7 Victoria Grove Horsforth, Leeds LS 18 4ST Uganda Freshwater Fisheries Research Organization I am a fisheries research scientist working with the Uganda Freshwater Fisheries Research Organization (UFFRO) at Jinja. My research has been on estimating the impact of the Nile perch on the fish faunas of Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo. The results of my studies have been published in various journals and reports. My current interest is to monitor the Nile perch dominated fisheries of these lakes. Having seen the destruction that the Nile perch has impacted on the fish faunas of these lakes, I am establishing a conservation study to try and save some of the species which were previously present in the three lakes but have either disappeared or are threatened. The first part of this program involves examining some small fringing lakes in the Lake Victoria basin which may still have some species that were present in the three lakes, study their fish faunas and where possible suggest that some of them be set aside as conservation areas for the threatened species. The second approach will involve examination of protected rock/macrophyte areas within Lake Victoria which still harbour some of the threatened species, study their biota with a view to locating those that could be set aside as conservation areas. We have made some progress in regard to the first part of this project and I am trying to locate some funds to complete it. Funding for the second phase is also required. I would, therefore be very grateful if you can let me know of any donors who may be interested in funding these projects. Yours sincerely, Richard Ogutu-Ohwayo Senior Principal Research Officer UFFRO P.O. Box 343, Jinja, Uganda. For further information on this project see the article "Nabugabo Cichlid Conservation Project" featured in this issue. 06/08/93 ag508 <5> NATIONAL FORUM ON OCEAN CONSERVATION On November 19-21, 1991, the Smithsonian Institution and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration presented the National Forum on Ocean Conservation. Fifty-three speakers and 550 audience members assembled to discuss the state of the marine environment; the extent and impacts of use conflicts and threats to oceanic health, and the adequacy and direction of current responses to ocean conservation problems. There is a summary document which presents the major issues and ideas raised during the forum. For more information contact the Office of Environmental Awareness, Smithsonian Institution, S. Dillon Ripley Center, Suite 3123, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A. 06/08/93 ag508 <6> 'THREATENED FISHES OF THE WORLD' SERIES IN THE JOURNAL 'ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES' It is the policy of the international journal 'Environmental Biology of Fishes'(EBF) to fill up blank left-hand pages with interesting and useful one-page articles. In the past these articles have been on subjects such as 'The art of fish illustra- tions' and 'Fish imagery in art'. The Editorial Committee of EBF has recently granted approval for publication of a new series of one-pagers on 'Threatened fishes of the world' of which Michael N. Bruton of the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology will be the editor. It is anticipated that about 40 one-pagers will be published each year. Once over 200 have been published, they will be bound in book form with an Introduction, Discussion and Index and published in the hardcover series 'Developments in the Environ- mental Biology of Fishes'. An invitation has been extended for contributions to this series, and in so doing to publicize the plight of threatened fishes worldwide. The series will cover marine, estuarine and freshwater fishes globally. The categories in which information is required include: Common names; Conservation status; Identification; Distribution; Abundance; Habitat and Ecology; Reproduction; Threats; Conservation Action; Conservation Recommendations; and Remarks. The length of the article must not exceed one printed page including the illustration. Dr. Bruton will ensure that the manuscript is in the correct format before it is sent to the journal editor, but contributors are asked to follow the style of EBF in the preparation of manuscripts. It is essential that the illustration of the fish should be a high quality monochrome drawing or photograph. For the purposes of this series a 'threatened fish' is defined as 'a species whose status has deteriorated due to natural or unnatural causes to the point at which it may be considered as rare, vulnerable or endangered'. For further information and a sample one-pager, please contact Michael N. Bruton, Director, JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Somerset Street, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa. Tel:(0461) 27124. Fax: (0461) 22403. 06/08/93 ag508 <7> AMERICAN LIVEBEARER ASSOCIATION A recent survey of the American Livebearer Association by the ALA Species Maintenance Program Chairman, Dominic Isla, revealed 50 active participants in the ALA Species Maintenance Program. Some 150 or more species are maintained representing four families: Anablepidae, Exocoetidae, Goodeidae and Poeciliidae. Accurate records are kept to the extent that many of these species are further subdivided by strain depending upon the source of the stocks. Two lists have been developed. One is of SMP Participants; the other is a SMP Species Listing. Each member is assigned a code number to allow cross-referencing on the SMP Species Listing which allows easy identification of who is keeping what fish. Both lists have been published in a recent issue of the ALA newsletter. The SMP Species Listing is also reproduced in the ACN publication "Aquarist Initiatives in Freshwater Fish Species Survival". Since livebearers have their own unique problems and solutions to long term management, consideration is being given to the development of a "Species Maintenance Breeding Program for Livebearers" as well as an endangered livebearer list and a system for determining which species will successfully cohabit with each other. Contact: Dominic Isla, 45-37 40th St. #1F, Long Island City, N.Y. 11104-3915 U.S.A. Tel: (718) 472-1771. 06/08/93 ag508 <8> _CYPRINODON_ AND RELATED GENERA STUDY AND MAINTENANCE GROUP This group was officially started in September of 1991 and is for anyone interested in working with this group of fish. It is closely aligned with the American Killifish Association and most Cyprinodon Study and Maintenance Group members are also registered with the AKA. The group hopes to work cooperatively with a number of related groups such as the ACN, the North American Native Fishes Association, the North American Fish Breeders Guild, the Desert Fishes Council and the FISHNET Captive Maintenance Database. They also intend to enhance communications with the American Livebearer Association as well as two other AKA related groups, the Fundulus Study Group and the Pterolebias Study Group. The genera covered by this group are Adinia, Crenichthys, Cualac, Cubanichthys, Cyprinodon, Empetrichthys, Floridichthys, Jordanella, and Megupsilon. Many of the species come from localities within the continental United States. The others are from areas in Mexico and some Caribbean islands. The primary objectives of the study group are: - To maintain pure populations following strict quality control guidelines; - To develop a network of dedicated hobbyists and professionals who are interested in one or more of these species; and - To gather as much information as possible on each of the species in this group. At the time of writing (June, 1992) there are 25 members maintaining 12 species. The group has developed a set of guidelines for maintaining captive populations of this group of fish (These guidelines are reproduced in the ACN publication "Aquarist Initiatives in Freshwater Fish Species Survival". They have also appeared in the Southern Colorado Aquarium Society Journal 2(5):24- 26, October, 1991). Contact: Al Morales, 2808 South Madison, Denver, Colorado 80210, U.S.A. Tel: (303) 756-0107. 06/08/93 ag508 <9> LAKE VICTORIA SOCIETY The Lake Victoria Society is a non-profit corporation based in Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A. It has been established to assist in the preservation of ecologically threatened species of fish and the preservation of their genetic integrity. The organization works in cooperation with scientific, academic, commercial and public aquaria communities and engages in educational, research, public relations and fund raising activities. The LVS also hopes to strengthen relations between the professional scientific community and the tropical fish industry. Members are regarded as "private curators" who maintain Lake Victoria cichlids for purposes of protective custody, selective breeding and scientific research. To become a "private curator", sponsorship is required by a charter member of the LVS or a current private curator. In this way the LVS can establish an individual's level of knowledge, aquatic management skills and understanding of LVS goals and mission. Assistance and/or training is available if necessary. Becoming an increasingly important activity of the LVS is its educational outreach program. It works in cooperation with a national program serving environmental educators which goes by the name "Project Wild". Opportunities for "hands on" education are developing through seminars geared towards educators, plus the placement of fish and aquaria in local high schools and the Lansing Community College. Contact: Rick Preuss, President, Lake Victoria Society, c/o Preuss Animal House, 1651 Haslett Road, Haslett, Michigan 48840, U.S.A. Tel: (517) 339-1762. Fax: (517) 339-9520. 06/08/93 ag508 <10> JAPAN'S ENDANGERED FISHES There are about 30,000 rivers in Japan and, in all but three, their environments have already been seriously damaged by the thoughtless deforestation and the construction of dams, concrete embankments, roads, etc. The Freshwater Fish Protection Association of Japan (FFPAJ) was founded in 1971 in Osaka, and is the only Non-Government Organiz- ation in Japan active on a national basis to protect and restore the endangered endemic freshwater fish. The number of fish species and populations already protected by or under the auspices of the FFPAJ are: 12 of 16 endangered species, 3 of 6 vulnerable species, 5 of 17 rare species and 2 of 6 local populations (categories are in accordance with the Red Data Book of Japan published by the Environment Agency of Japan and the Red Data book published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Japan's endangered fish species include: Kirikuchi char - Salvelinus japonicus Satsukimasu salmon - Oncorhynchus ishikawai Iwame trout - Oncorhyncus iwame Ryukyu ayu-fish - Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis Hinamoroko - Aphyocypris chinensis Ushimotsugo - Pseudorasbora pumila subsp. Itasenpara bitterling - Acheilognathus longipinnis Nippon baratanago - Rhodeus ocellatus smithi Suigen zenitanago - Rhodeus atremius suigensis Miyakotanago - Tanakia tanago Ayumodoki - Leptbotia curta Nekogigi - Coreobagrus ichikawai Gibachi (Populations in Kyusyu Isl.) - Pseudobagrus sp. Musashitomiyo - Pungitius sp. Ariakeshirauo - Salanx ariakensis Ariakehimeshirauo - Neosalanx regami Some progress is being made to mitigate the problems through protection programs, assessment and conservation initiatives, and hatchery rearing and planting of some species. Involvement is by organizations such as the FFPAJ, the Biwa Lake Freshwater Fish Aquarium, municipal governments in Fukuoka City, Toyota City, Ohtawara City (Tochigi and Kanagawa prefectures), Kumagaya City (Saitama prefecture), a civilian group in Okayama prefecture as well as biologist groups. Save the Nagara River: The Last Sanctuary of the Satsukimasu Salmon The Nagara River is one of the three Japanese rivers in which large dams have not yet been built. This river is 158 kilometres in length and flows into the Pacific Ocean at Ise Bay in central Japan. The Nagara River ecosystem has been adversely affected by deforestation and construction, but not to such an extent as to despoil the aquatic environment since the dams constructed so far are relatively small scale. The present number of freshwater fish species inhabiting this river is at least 69, and is regarded as the best in all Japan. Further- more, this river is famous for the superior quality of its ayu- fish and Satsukimasu salmon (Oncorhynchus ishikawai). It is, in fact, the last sanctuary of native populations of Satsukimasu salmon. A dam is being constructed at the mouth of the Nagara river and is planned for completion in 1995. The FFPAJ is campaigning to stop this construction. An FFPAJ opinion advertisement was recently published in "The Times" of London (May 22, 1992). Their campaign was previously reported over a year ago in the New York Times (March 14, 1991). They are supported by a number of leading conservation agencies in Japan. The FFPAJ opposes the construction of the dam for the following reasons: - when the dam was planned in 1968, it was initially for the purpose of supplying water for local factories and residential areas. In 1991 official statistics proved that the existing water supply was quite sufficient; - the Ministry of Construction (MOC) stresses the importance of the dam in flood prevention. However, independent studies show the dam would exacerbate damage once flooding has occurred; - the quality of water in the dam would be extremely poor, due to stagnation. The natural influx of sea water into the estuary has had a purifying effect on the river water. This would cease with the damming of the estuary; - the MOC claims that an estuary dam would prevent salt water contamination of agricultural fields. Although low-lying fields were damaged in this way on one occasion in the past, advances in irrigation make a recurrence of salt water damage most unlikely; and - The MOC plans to construct special fishways to assist the Satsukimasu salmon in travelling from the sea into the dam. However, even if the fish could successfully negotiate the fishways, it is extremely doubtful whether they would survive the long trek through the heavily stagnated 25 kilometre dam to the river beyond. Once in the river itself, the Satsukimasu salmon and many other species of fish would find survival in the poor quality water almost impossible. As of April, 1992, no environmental survey of the impact of the proposed estuary dam has been carried out. Construction of the dam is already underway. The FFPAJ is lobbying to save the Nagara River ecosystem and the Satsukimasu salmon and encourages letter writing to the Prime Minister of Japan. If you would like to support the effort, or if you would like additional information about the FFPAJ and endangered fishes of Japan, contact Mr. Eizo Kimura, President, The Freshwater Fish Protection Association, 2-2-38 Dojima, Kita ku, Osaka City, 530, Japan. Tel: 81-6-341-7320. Fax: 81-6-341-3117. Sources of Information: Kimura, E. 1992. Personal communication and FFPAJ information flyers. Maruyama, T. and J. Hiratsuka. 1992. Vanishing Fishes of Japan, May, 1992, Freshwater Fish Protection Association of Japan. 06/08/93 ag508 <11> NABUGABO CICHLID CONSERVATION PROJECT by Richard Ogutu-Ohwayo Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo had diverse native fish faunas dominated by cichlids. Lake Victoria alone had more than 300 species of haplochromine, many of them endemic, and Lakes Kyoga and Nabugabo also had endemic haplochromines. The haplochromines were also the most abundant in biomass and were important as food and ornamental species as well as providing splendid opportunities for evolutionary and ecological studies. There were also two tilapiine cichlids; Oreochromis esculentus and O. variabilis which were found only in Lakes Victoria and Kyoga and a few other fringing lakes around them. These tilapiines were the most important commercial and preferred food fishes. Unfortunately, most of these cichlids have either been depleted or have disappeared since the Nile perch, Lates niloticus, and several tilapiine species were introduced into these lakes. O. esculentus and O. variabilis have vanished from Lakes Kyoga and Nabugabo and are very rare in Lake Victoria and most of the haplochromine species have been depleted if not exterminated by Nile perch predation. However, a recent survey has indicated that three small lakes around Lake Nabugabo contain large numbers of O. esculentus and some haplochro- mine species previously known only in Lake Nabugabo. Objectives The Nabugabo Cichlidae Conservation Project is aimed at conserving some of the fish species, and hence the gene pools that have been lost from Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo due to species introductions and human exploitation. The project will address the following objectives: - Examine and document the species composition, the health of the populations, stability in size (age) structure and other basic biological parameters of the fish faunas of Lake Nabugabo and three small lakes (Kayanja, Kayugi and Manywa); - Determine the limnological parameters (stratification, oxygen, pH, nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthos produc- tion) of these lakes; and - Recommend that Lakes Kayanja, Manywa and Kayuji should be designated conservation areas for O. esculentus and some haplochro- mine cichlids which have vanished from Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo. Research Plans The project will be in two phases. The first phase will involve a preliminary survey, running for one year and this will determine if a second and more detailed survey to run for an additional two years will be necessary. The project will be executed by the research officers currently comprising the Nile Perch Project Team and supporting staff at the Uganda Freshwater Fisheries Research Organisation (UFFRO), Jinja, Uganda in liaison with the limnology section of the organization. These teams have carried out some preliminary work on Lake Nabugabo. The UFFRO currently has an infrastructure for running the first phase of the project, but insufficient funding to complete the task. The original cost estimate for phase 1 of this study is approximately $24,500 (US). A detailed cost breakdown is available upon request. Persons with an interest in this study, or with funding recommendations, should write directly to Richard Ogutu- Ohwayo. Richard Ogutu-Ohwayo is the Senior Principal Research Officer, UFFRO, P.O. Box 343, Jinja, Uganda. Tel: 256-43-20484. Fax: 256- 43-20484. 06/08/93 ag508 <12> CITES UPDATE The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) entered into force on 1 July 1975 and now has 113 member countries. These countries act by banning commercial trade in endangered species from an agreed list. Each CITES Party is responsible for implementation of the Convention in its own country, and for cooperating with other Parties to enforce the rules of the Treaty. CITES does not affect domestic trade in listed species. Regulation is implemented using a permit system which allows trade in wild plants and animals, and their parts and derivatives, to be monitored and controlled. Species subject to regulation are included in one of three appendices to the Convention. Each appendix specifies a different level of protection or control. Species are usually added to or deleted from the CITES Appendices during the biennial Conference of the Parties (COP). COP8 recently took place in Kyoto, Japan and the outcome of this conference is summarized later in this article. The Appendices work as follows: - Appendix I includes species, subspecies, or populations threatened with extinction that are, or may be affected by trade. Commercial trade in wild specimens of taxa or populations listed in Appendix I is prohibited. Under exceptional circumstances trade is permitted; for example for scientific or conservation purposes. In these cases an import permit from the importing country, as well as export permit from the exporting country, is required. All CITES permits must be issued by the competent government authority in each country. All sea turtles, for example, are listed in Appendix I. - Appendix II includes species, subspecies or populations which may become threatened if trade in them is not controlled and monitored. It can also include other 'look-alike' species which, although not necessarily threatened, must be subject to regulation in order that trade in other Appendix II species may be brought under effective control. Trade in Appendix II species requires an export permit from the country of origin, issued by the competent government authority. If the species is exported from a country other than where it originated, a re-export permit is required. Permits should not be issued unless it has been determined that the specimen of the species in question was legally obtained, and export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species. Examples of wildlife included in Appendix II are whales, crocodiles, and some corals. In addition, some artificially propagated wildlife species of Appendix I are treated as if they were listed in Appendix II. - Appendix III contains species subject to regulation within individual countries and for which the cooperation of other Parties is sought in order to control that trade. Thus, Appendix III is specific to exports of certain taxa from given countries. Trade is monitored by the TRAFFIC Network which is the world's largest wildlife trade monitoring programme with offices covering most parts of the world. TRAFFIC is supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and works in close cooperation with the CITES Secretariat. Periodic updates of CITES developments will appear in this bulletin. A complete listing of aquatic species listed in CITES appendices will also appear in a future issue. If you wish to have CITES information immediately as it becomes available, it should be possible to be placed on the mailing list of the appropriate government authority of your country, provided your country is among the Parties to CITES. You may wish to consult with the CITES Secretariat, 6 rue Maupas, Case Postale 78, CH-1000 Lausanne 9, Switzerland. Tel: (41) 21 200081. Fax: (41) 21 200084. TRAFFIC International has it's headquarters at 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, United Kingdom. Tel: (44) 223 277427. Fax: (44) 223 277237. Eighth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES Kyoto, Japan, March 2-13, 1992 (Excerpts from the Canadian Delegation Report) Attendance at the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (COP8) was very high, with over 450 delegates from 103 of the 113 Parties, 7 participants from 6 non-Party states, and 559 observers from 159 non-governmental organizations. In addition, close to 600 press accreditations were issued for the meeting. Delegates deliberated on some 132 proposals for amendments to the Appendices (inclusive of quota, ranching and ten year review proposals) and 56 resolutions. Although discussions were not dominated by single issues, the frustration of several Parties with the direction of CITES actions and decisions was underscored in the suite of resolutions emanating from southern African countries requesting re-examination of fundamental aspects of the Convention. There is a wide, and perhaps growing, split between those who look to the Convention to fulfil its original role as a trade control and monitoring mechanism and those who wish to expand its mandate to serve as a global endan- gered species act. This debate is exacerbated by a parallel discussion over the concept of sustainable development between those who wish to see CITES take a more protectionist stance and those who wish to promote the use of wildlife as a renewable resource. The review of existing Resolutions to be conducted by the Standing Committee over the next two years will hopefully result in a new vision for the Convention that will achieve a new consensus at COP9 in Washington in 1994. Summary of Disposition of COP8 Proposals The following is a partial summary, including only aquatic species, of the disposition of COP8 proposals for amendments: APPENDICES PROPOSALS Mollusca - The proposal to include the Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, on Appendix II was accepted. Pisces - The proposal to include herring (North Atlantic), Clupea harengus, on Appendix I was withdrawn. Currently the species is not regulated. - The proposal to include paddlefish (Western USA), Polyodon spathula, on Appendix II was accepted. - The proposal to include the naked characid, Gymnocharacinus bergi, on Appendix I was withdrawn. Currently the species is not regulated. - The proposal to include bluefin tuna (Western Atlantic Popula- tion), Thunnus thynnus, on Appendix I was withdrawn. Currently the species is not regulated. - The proposal to include bluefin tuna (Eastern Atlantic Popula- tion), Thunnus thynnus, on Appendix II was withdrawn. Currently the species is not regulated. QUOTA PROPOSALS - The proposal to move the Asian boneytongue, Sceropages formosus, from Appendix I to Appendix II was accepted. Quota: 1992 - 0; 1993 - 3,000; 1994 -4000 (Captive bred). TEN-YEAR REVIEW PROPOSALS - The proposal to delete 5 species of pearl fish (Brazil), Cynolebias spp., from Appendix II was accepted. Currently these species are not regulated. 06/08/93 ag508 <13> ACN NEWS Action Planning Discussions took place in Boston and New York on April 9 & 10 to provide input to the development of an ACN action plan. In attendance at the Boston meeting were Chris Andrews, National Aquarium in Baltimore and IUCN Chair of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group; Rob Huntley, ACN Director; Les Kaufman, New England Aquarium and Chair of the Lake Victoria Captive Breeding Specialist Group; and Russ McAndrews, New England Aquarium and American Cichlid Association Conservation Committee Chair. In New York meetings included Lou Garibaldi, New York Aquarium; Rob Huntley, ACN; Ken Lazara, American Museum of Natural History; Paul Loiselle, New York Aquarium; and Gene Lucas, Drake University. Proposals which came out of these meetings included the development of: an ACN Species Survival Plan; an ACN Captive Breeding Code of Ethics; an ACN Fish List (freshwater fish species "needing" captive propagation); an ACN Breeder Database; and the examination of Ecolabelling as a means of promoting public awareness of threatened and endangered species. Outside the context of these meetings it has been proposed that we establish, in the near future, an ACN Pilot Captive Breeding Project to "grease the wheels" with respect to consultative mechanisms, guidelines and reporting procedures, recordkeeping and database implementation, and fish distribution operations. At this point these are still ideas. It is difficult to conceive of jumping with both feet into all recommended courses of action simultaneously, particularly since we have limited financial and administrative resources at this time. Developments arising from these recommendations will be reported at a future date. Upcoming ACN Activities New York - Penn Council - The ACN has accepted an invitation to lead a roundtable discussion on the topic of "Aquatic Conservation" at the Annual Convention of the New York - Penn Council of Aquarium Societies which takes place in conjunction with the Convention of the Federation of American Aquarium Societies, September 25, 26 & 27, 1992. The convention is being held at the Days Inn Falls View, 201 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, New York, 14303, U.S.A.(1-800- 876-3297). Other groups with a formal presence at this convention include the Rainbowfish Study Group and the North American Fish Breeders Guild. The roundtable will be on Friday evening. Convention speakers on the Saturday and Sunday include: - Ginny Eckstein - columnist for Aquarium Fish Magazine (AFM) and expert on catfish and south American cichlids; - Lee Finley - writer for AFM and a catfish specialist; - Jaap-Jan de Greef - specializing in livebearers, cichlids and killifish - Mike Trzonkowski - speaking on plants; - Charlie Grimes - fabler and historian; - Helen Domski - Curator of Education at the Niagara Falls Aquarium (there will be behind-the-scene tours); - Gary Lange - of the Rainbowfish Study Group; and - Dr. Richard Greene - fish veterinarian. For convention information contact Randy Seufert, Convention Chairman, 5725 Herman Hill Road, Hamburg, NY 14075, U.S.A., Tel: (716) 649-9165 or contact Liz Duzen, Convention Registration, 9396 Elmwood Street, Angola, NY 14006, U.S.A., Tel: (716) 549-4281. Columbus Symposium - The ACN will be represented at the symposium on Conservation Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology: A Case Study of the Cichlid Fauna of Lake Victoria (sponsored by Ohio State University and the Columbus Zoological Gardens) Columbus, Ohio, October 30 - November 3, 1992. We have proposed that a segment of discussions be devoted to the ACN and questions of amateur participation. It is also anticipated that several members of the ACN Steering Committee will be in attendance, permitting a planning/business meeting. More details regarding ACN involvement will be available in the next issue. For more information on this symposium, see the related article in this issue. Acknowledgements We are grateful for the assistance given to the ACN in the form of: - free service advertisements and news articles by 'Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine' (FAMA), 'Pet Business News', 'Marine Fish Monthly', 'Sea Wind' (publication of Ocean Voice International), 'SAMARUC' (Boletin Cultural de la Sociedad Acuariofila Valenciana), 'Cichlidae Communique' (Pacific Coast Cichlid Association - article by Dale Speirs), The Cyprinodon and Related Genera Study and Maintenance Group, CompuServe FISHNET, and the AQUA-L and MARINE-L E-mail discussion lists (INTERNET) at the University of Guelph. Since the distribu- tion of publicity material was widespread, we may not be aware of all those organizations who have played a role in spreading our message. Nevertheless we are grateful, and will acknowl- edge your contribution if you send a copy of the relevant issue of your publication; - forthcoming news items in 'Aquarist And Pondkeeper', the new British magazine 'Aquarium', and the journals 'Environmental Conservation' and Environmental Biology of Fishes'; - the warm welcome extended by the Brooklyn Aquarium Society at their meeting on April 10; and - the invitation by Don McAllister (Ocean Voice International) to include ACN brochures with the mailing of the recent issue of 'Sea Wind'. Aquarist Initiatives Paper The ACN has solicited over 60 International Aquarium Federations and Specialty Organizations representing many organized amateur aquarists worldwide, seeking information concerning initiatives already in place in conservation and captive breeding. From the resulting correspondence the report "Aquarist Initiatives in Freshwater Fish Species Survival" has been developed. It is being distributed free of charge to all contributors as well as to all ACN members. Non-members can obtain a copy for $8.00 (Canadian or U.S. currency). Information Exchange The ACN has already benefited from a number of organizations coming forward to offer exchange of publications and relevant information. We would like to expand our information exchange network. If your organization participates in research or programs associated with the conservation or captive breeding of endangered aquatic life, freshwater or marine, please put the Aquatic Conservation Network on your mailing list and ask us to do the same for you. Publicity The ACN has distributed press releases and advertising copy to more than 40 scientific journals and hobby publications world wide. Articles prepared by ACN directors and ACN members who regularly write for periodical publications are scheduled to appear in forthcoming editions. A membership and information drive was recently conducted with mailings of brochures to over 2,000 individuals and organizations worldwide (including over 450 aquarium associations). The ACN has also distributed approximately 150 complimentary copies of the first issue of "Aquatic Survival". Dennis Hough has recently agreed to take on the responsibility of Publicity Chairperson. His address is 3626 Glenwood Springs Drive, Kingwood, Texas 77345, U.S.A. ACN on CompuServe If you have a computer and use CompuServe, ACN can be reached at 71022,3537 (Rob Huntley). 06/08/93 ag508 <14> AQUATIC CONSERVATION NETWORK NEW MEMBERS Roy Allen North Jersey Aquarium Society 1654 N. Adams St. Pottstown PA 19464 U.S.A. Jaime Baquero 10 Henri Lassard Pointe-Gatineau Quebec J8T 3G6 Canada Pier Giorgio Bianco Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali Universita' Degli Studi Dell'Aquila L'Aquila 67100 Italy John Bijarney Lowell School 16th & Decatur Sts. N.W. Washington DC 20011-4330 U.S.A. Peter Burgess Fish Res. Unit, Science Block, 6th Fl. Polytechnic South West Drake Circus Plymouth Devon PL4 8AA U.K. Jim Carmark Oceans Unlimited 12 Fairmount Way Hull MA 02045 U.S.A. Timothy Case Fish Four Tropicals 63 River Oaks Conroe TX 77385 U.S.A. Douglas Conkling Northeast ProAqua RD Box 105 E. Chatham NY 12060 U.S.A. Flin Flon Aquarium Club P.O. Box 696 Flin Flon Manitoba R8A 1N5 Canada Jim Forshey The Aquatic Book Shop 3050 Countryside Dr. Placerville CA 95667 U.S.A. Mike Freeman Oxford Region Aquarium Club 880 James St. #6 Woodstock Ontario N4S 8P8 Canada Frank M. Greco 46 Riverside Dr. Rockville Centre New York 11570 U.S.A. Robert Harris 73 Dewey Drive Scarborough Ontario M1R 3K8 Canada Tim Hennessy Ekk Will Waterlife Resources 7502 Symmes Road Gibsonton FL 33534 U.S.A. Ed Johnston University of Prince Edward Island Dept. of Biology 550 University Avenue Charlottetown P.E.I. C1A 4P3 Canada Eizo Kimura Freshwater Fish Protection Association 2-2-38 Dojima, Kita-ku Osaka 530 Japan Mario LePage CEMAGREF Bordeaux Group, ALA Division BP3 33611 Gazinet Cedex France Sterling W. Leffler 952 Albright Rd. Newmanstown PA 17073-9766 U.S.A. Mike Leins Erie Aquarium Society 3317 Ashbury Road Erie PA 16506 U.S.A. Charles W. Rambo 6474 Baguio Ct. San Jose CA 95119 U.S.A. Dr. Phillip Sponenberg Tech.Chair American Minor Breeds Conservancy Virginia-Maryland Reg. College of Vet. M Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA 24061 U.S.A. R.L. Vadas, Jr. Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife Virginia Polytech. Inst. & State U. Blacksburg Virginia 24061-0321 U.S.A. Neil J. Van Asch (Sr.) 505 S. 20th St. Belleville IL 62223 U.S.A. Ian J. Winfield Inst. of Freshwater Ecology Windermere Laboratory Far Sawrey Ambleside Cumbria LA22 0LP U.K. Thank-you to the following new members who made financial contribu- tions in addition to annual fees: Jim Carmark, Douglas Conkling, Eizo Kimura and Ian Winfield. Sally Van Camp has recently taken on the responsibility of Membership Chairperson. Her address is 923 Wadsworth, Syracuse, New York 13208, U.S.A. Membership applications can be sent directly there or to the Aquatic Conservation Network, 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1Z8, Canada. The annual fee is $25 (Canadian or U.S. currency). End of Volume 1, Number 2 - Aquatic Survival