<1> 18/05/94 ag508 AQUATIC SURVIVAL Bulletin of the Aquatic Conservation Network Volume 2, Number 4 - December 1993 Aquarists Dedicated to the Preservation of Aquatic Life ISSN 1188-553X (unformatted version) The Aquatic Conservation Network is a Canadian Registered Charity #0953471-52 540 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8 Tel. (613) 729-4670. Fax. (613) 729-5613. CompuServe 71022,3537 Internet rob@pinetree.org OR ag508@freenet.carleton.ca *********** 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; CompuServe: 71022,3537; Internet: rob@pinetree.org OR ag508@freenet.carleton.ca. Upcoming deadlines for submissions are February 18, 1994, May 20, 1994 and August 19, 1994. Unless otherwise indicated, articles may be reprinted without permission provided that such use is not for financial gain and appropriate credit is given to the author and to Aquatic Survival. The views expressed in published material are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Aquatic Conservation Network. <2> 18/05/94 ag508 ANNOUNCEMENTS ACN E-MAIL You can now send electronic mail to the ACN using one of the following addresses CompuServe: 71022,3537 Internet: rob@pinetree.org OR ag508@freenet.carleton.ca There are two sites where the ACN has electronic message areas and archive sites for back issues of Aquatic Survival and other documents: 1. Telnet: freenet.carleton.ca Login as: guest Type: go acn 2. CompuServe users see Library 7 in Aquaria/Fish Forum of FISHNET as well as the Aquatic Conservation message board *********** JOIN NOW! Annual membership is $25.00 (Canadian or U.S.) Aquatic Conservation Network 540 Roosevelt Avenue Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2A 1Z8 Tel: (613) 729-4670 Fax: (613) 729-5613 CompuServe: 71022,3537 Internet: rob@pinetree.org OR ag508@freenet.carleton.ca *********** Aquatic Survival Deadline for the next issue is February 18, 1994 *********** Information Exchange 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. *********** INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF AQUARIST ORGANIZATIONS Published by the Aquatic Conservation Network Order your copy today! <3> 18/05/94 ag508 FISH CONSERVATION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. - AN UPDATE by J.R. Shute and Peggy W. Shute Recent issues of _Aquatic Survival_ have highlighted numerous efforts of individuals or organizations involved in fish recovery work around the world. Partly because our work has not been widely publicized, the efforts that our organization have been involved with for the past decade are not well known. We would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on some of the fish recovery work going on in the southeastern United States. Our company, Conservation Fisheries, Inc., is a non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of aquatic biodiversity. We have established a small regional facility in Knoxville, Tennessee for the captive propagation and monitoring of threatened and endangered freshwater fishes. We are a relatively small organization. We began with very little space, money, or staffing but have expanded significantly in the past few years. Currently at our facility we are working with seven species of rare southeastern fishes and are monitoring the population status of several others. Our work began as an effort to captively propagate the federally threatened yellowfin madtom catfish, _Noturus flavipinnis_ and the federally endangered smoky madtom, _N. baileyi_. In doing this, we remove eggs from several nests within a healthy population. These are returned to our facility where they are incubated until hatching and reared to a releasable size. The smoky madtoms we rear are taken from the only known population, and are being used in an attempt to reestablish a population that was extirpated during the mid 1950's. The yellowfin madtoms are also being introduced into the same stream and in addition are being used to bolster and expand the population where we collect the eggs. So far, we have seen no evidence of reproduction at the transplant site, but these fishes are very secretive. It may take several more years before our efforts are rewarded. At this point we have had only one successful spawning of the madtoms in our aquaria. By cooling their aquaria in the winter and shortening their daylengths, we have been able to produce gravid females and elicit nest building in the males. Evidently, some additional stimulus is required to trigger spawning, or the nest- building males are inhibited by chemicals produced by other males in the same system. Although we prefer not to use invasive techniques, we may have to resort to the use of hormonal injections next year as these have proved successful for other madtom researchers. Last year we began work on the recently listed (endangered), undescribed duskytail darter, _Etheostoma_ (_Catonotus) sp._. These have been easier to spawn than the madtoms. In fact, this fall, after working with the species for only one season, we were able to reintroduce approximately 85 captively produced individuals into a stream where the species has not occurred in nearly 40 years. Several specimens were seen while snorkelling more than a month later at the transplant site. This is encouraging, indicating that tank reared individuals are able to adapt to stream conditions. These are short lived darters and this year's young should be spawning next spring. We hope to be able to locate nests at that time. Also last year we obtained our first specimens of the federally threatened spotfin chub, _Cyprinella monacha_. At the time of this writing, those specimens are still too immature for spawning. Next spring, however, we intend to begin a breeding program using these individuals as the source for our initial breeding efforts. The quality of several streams where spotfin chubs once occurred has improved to the point that reintroduction is a viable option. The species is unlikely to recolonize these areas without help because of impoundments, physical barriers and habitat alteration. This year we were also contracted to work with the federally threatened blackside dace, _Phoxinus cumberlandensis_. This remarkably beautiful fish occurs in small first and second order streams on the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee and Kentucky, many of which are heavily impacted by coal mining run-off. As a result, many populations have been extirpated. We were able to obtain specimens from an area where a coal mining operation had destroyed their habitat and produced a physical barrier, by placing an illegal settling pond in the middle of the stream. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Kentucky Division of Game & Fish have been monitoring this population and determined that the individuals above the settling pond were no longer reproducing. Blackside dace spawn over the nests of other fishes, usually chubs of the genus _Nocomis_ or stonerollers (_Campostoma_). Evidently the proper combination of nest associates and clean substrates were no longer present in the stream, and the dace were not spawning. We were able to spawn these fish in our facility, using artificially constructed chub nests. We have been very successful in our first attempt at breeding this species, and we now have nearly 400 tank reared young to use for stocking purposes this fall. This year we have also begun work on the federally endangered boulder darter, _Etheostoma wapiti_. Boulder darters are extremely rare and difficult to collect. They inhabit swift, moderately deep runs in the Elk River (Tennessee and northern Alabama) and are, as the name implies, associated with the boulder strewn substrate. In addition to maintaining a captive population of this species, the eventual goal of the project is to reintroduce captively-reared boulder darters into suitable areas where it has been extirpated. Just collecting individuals for our project has proven to be difficult, however. Recent attempts, by several different groups, to collect this species have been unsuccessful, indicating the rapid decline of this very rare species. In the past, most specimens have been collected using electro-shockers. Although this is often an efficient collecting method, we would rather not use it where threatened or endangered species are involved. We prefer taking a non-invasive approach to monitoring and collecting any fishes. However, in this type of habitat, snorkelling is nearly impossible and seining is difficult. A few specimens have been taken in a tributary to the Elk River which may prove clear enough to snorkel. We hope to be able to obtain specimens in this manner next spring. Because boulder darters are so rare and difficult to collect, we have chosen to develop a breeding and rearing technique by using closely related species. The bloodfin darter, _E. sanguifluum_ was chosen as our surrogate species for this purpose. Both species are known to cluster eggs underneath rocks. For several years, we have maintained captive populations of another rare species, the Barrens topminnow, _Fundulus julisia_. This species occurs in well vegetated, spring-influenced streams and ponds on the Barrens Plateau in middle Tennessee. It is presently listed as threatened by the State of Tennessee, and is undergoing a status review for potential federal listing. In addition to annual monitoring of known populations, we maintain separate stocks of each of the four extant populations, including one which is apparently genetically distinct. In addition to the captive breeding and propagation projects described above, we have been actively involved in monitoring the status of several rare, federally listed species, including: the yellowfin madtom, smoky madtom, and duskytail darter, described above; the endangered Conasauga logperch, _Percina jenkinsi_; and the threatened blue shiner, _Cyprinella caerulea_. We usually do this (when stream conditions allow) by snorkelling. We must do this when the animals are active - at night in the case of madtoms. This provides us with a unique look at stream life not often observed during daytime excursions. This is just an overview of what we have been doing to date. From time to time, we will keep you posted on the status of specific projects. If you have specific questions relating to the work we are involved in, feel free to contact either J.R. Shute or Patrick L. Rakes at: Conservation Fisheries, Inc., 7108-A Commercial Park Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee 37918, U.S.A. Tel: (615) 922-3906; Fax: (615) 588-6616. <4> 18/05/94 ag508 LETTERS Aquarist Roles Reading through the newsletter prompts a few thoughts. 1. There are two roles for aquarists. One has been repeatedly mentioned which is to use their expertise to propagate rare species. But the other way hasn't been mentioned and that is to raise funds for research on their specialty in the country of origin. That is what the IGL (Internationale Gemeinshaft fur Labyrinthfische) and the AAGB (Anabantoid Association of Great Britain) are doing with the _Sandelia bainsii_ project. It may only produce 'petrol money' but at least it shows we are prepared to 'put our money where our mouth is'. 2. Already the issue of captive breeding in developed countries, versus habitat action in the developing countries of origin, has been raised. Of course both must happen but it is extremely important that the peoples of the aquatic habitats must be convinced of the need for the conservation and benefit from it. The Fisheries organization of Uganda is doubtless looking to the developed countries for research funding for the Victoria cichlids and it is important it is not swallowed up by projects in the U.S. and Europe. 3. Undoubtedly some (a minority) aquarists will be motivated to participate in captive breeding schemes by the hope of obtaining rare or fashionable fishes and/or hopes of profiting by the sale of offspring. This suspicion should not dominate the thinking of professional ichthyologists however and they should balance the minority with the thought that the more widespread a species is in the hobby, the less chance there is of it going extinct. If Victorian cichlids were commercially viable, the captive breeding would be done at their own expense by businesses in Singapore. 4. I never appreciated it before, but collection for the hobby, fired by interest from the specialist societies can endanger fish in the wild. The AAGB has concerns about the _Betta coccina_ species group in Malaysia. To illustrate this, a correspondent recently wrote to say that collectors now could only collect 5 or 6 fish in a day's fishing. I answered that the solution was to stop fishing! But the fact that commercial fishing for these fish was occurring at all shows the influence that specialist groups have in determining the appetite for novelties or rarities. On the other hand, the collection of the same fish by occasional expeditions can have negligible impact and ensures the fish end up in skilled and interested hands with a fair chance of their subsequent survival and increase. Unfortunately, in Europe, new fish import laws make it difficult for the non-commercial fish importer while having little effect on the more damaging commercial imports. All the best for now, David Armitage Anabantoid Association of Great Britain 2, Close End Robert Road Hedgerley, Bucks U.K. SL2 3XY Contaminated Water and Wildlife - Request for Information I learned of your existence through the _Water Garden Journal_. As the owner of an aquatic nursery with a special interest in native wetland plants, I am interested in joining your network. At present I am involved in a veritable battle with some real estate developers who have mysteriously caused to vanish a large flock of Canadian geese from their twenty-plus year home pond. These developers have gained approval from the county government to use the two acre lake as a storm and perimeter drainage receptor, then passing the water into a creek that empties directly into the Indianapolis drinking water reservoir. Being a "high-rent" area, it is anticipated that such drainage water will be contaminated with diazinon and other lawn chemicals. We managed to stall the developers beyond the point of procedure before winter and it is too late for them to accomplish the appropriate erosion control seeding. Thus, we have until early spring to discover the necessary scientific research that might prevent them from using the pond and creek as a drainage receptor. If we come up with the information soon enough, we may be able to present it to the County Drainage Board. If not, we will just have to go to court. I am looking for any research information showing the effects of such contaminated water upon fish, wildlife, and plants, besides human consumption, and I would greatly appreciate your printing this request for assistance in the December bulletin. Sincerely, Helen Nash 1670 S. 900 E. Zionsville, Indiana 46077, U.S.A. Sulu Archipelago - Philippines Recently I submitted an article "The Ornamental Aquarium Fishery: The Sulu Archipelago" to Aquarium Systems, Inc. and it was accepted for publication in _Seascope_. A portion of this article concerns the establishment of an ecologically protective fishery for ornamental marine fishes and invertebrates in the Sulu Archipelago. In light of the usually poor environmental news and practices in underdeveloped countries, some good environmental news for a change ought to be heartily welcomed and the Sulu Archipelago is eminently capable of producing both a short and long term environmental success story. There is a shortage of accurate and unbiased information between the Philippines and the States and I would like to do whatever I can to help better communications. Only recently did I become aware of the FSP (Fisheries Sector Program). It is a massive comprehensive plan set in motion in 1990 by the Department of Agriculture and incorporating the assistance of many government and non-government agencies. Well endowed by the ADB (Asian Development Bank) and the OECF (Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund) of Japan, it has been the best chance of attaining a positive and lasting solution to the problems of a fishery under intense pressure. The main thrust of the FSP is the stabilization, protection and improvement of resources for edible fishes. The FSP has begun to realize that the "proper" collection of ornamental fishes is not only a way to alleviate pressure on edible fish stocks but is additionally a practical and immediate alternative livelihood for local fishermen. When the 64' ocean going vessel we're building is launched we will seek to assist the FSP training program for ornamental fish collectors. On a number of occasions I have been asked "Why a boat? ... boats are expensive". This, of course, is true regarding initial construction expense but a well built and equipped boat can not only stay in the field indefinitely but it can even be self supporting or close to it from the sale of fishes acquired during training sessions. It is difficult to run an effective field program from behind a desk. Historically, administrative costs soar and have a way of eating up resources intended for field operations. Your help and assistance would be invaluable to the success of what we're trying to do here in the Philippines. Any suggestions or feedback would be welcome, particularly ideas on how to promote awareness and support within the aquarium hobby and industry. Sincerely, David N. Baskin Pelagica East Inc. Suite 0039 G/F Cosmopolitan Tower Condominium 134 Valero Street Salcedo Village Makati, Metro Manila Philippines What's in Store For Us? It seems like we go through this cycle of bad legislation every 2 or 3 years. It looks like we are in store for some really biased legislation in the next few years. There are many Bills starting to pop up, not only in the states but on the national level. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently released a report to Congress. This report entitled "Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations of the Intentional Introductions Policy Review" outlines recommendations that if adopted would cripple the aquarium hobby and industry. It contains recommendations to reduce the risk associated with the importation, interstate movement, sale, possession and handling of ALL fish and aquatic organisms. This means that fish, invertebrates and plants - anything that comes or lives in water. The report recommends greater federal activity under the Lacey Act: 1. expedite the injurious species listing process; 2. "foster compliance" with the interstate commerce aspects of the Lacey Act by dissemination of information on state regulations, including state lists of regulated species; 3. establish federal clean and dirty lists; 4. initiate a "review system" for every species not on the clean/dirty lists; 5. a "federal import permitting system to provide a credible review of proposed introductions on nonindigenous aquatic organisms" - as this report now recommends import both into the U.S. as well as between two states could be subject to obtaining permits prior to international or interstate transport; 6. the report also recommends U.S. implementation of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Protocol. This protocol is designed for marine species protection not for aquarium-type species. If this protocol were adopted all importations could be prohibited; 7. Also recommended are "Model State Codes" which call for "comprehensive legislation to deal with nonindigenous species issues". There were one or two things that did make sense: 1. Developing a "Code of Good Practices" by private trade associations; 2. Promote a comprehensive educational program to educate the people on the problems of these issues. These reports to congress are used to form legislation and carry a lot of weight. Especially when the only side heard is from a one- sided report. Our job, yours and mine, is to see that they hear the other side so they can make the right choice. Please get a copy of this report and tell your elected officials of its shortcomings. Write to your representative in the House and your Senator in Washington. Let them know what you think. You can receive a copy of this report by writing to Ms. Sharon Gross, ANS Task Force Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, U.S.A. or you can call directly to Ms. Sharon Gross at (703) 358-1718 and ask that a copy be sent to you. These copies are free of charge. Use the name of your club when asking for the report. I feel that this report and the Bills now showing up is just the opening round of a wave of misguided legislation. John Clark, President Federation of American Aquarium Societies 6899 Egypt Rd. Medina, Ohio 44256, U.S.A. <5> 18/05/94 ag508 ON THE MORAL STATUS OF FISH YET AGAIN by Robert L. Vadas, Jr. In the first 1993 issue of _Aquatic Survival_, I urged fish researchers and culturists to support animal welfare and not animal rights. In more recent issues, Gary Varner ("On the moral status of fish") and Roger Langton ("On the moral status of humans") have continued the philosophical debate. I wish to comment on these discussions, in particular Varner's criticisms of my views as a scientist. At the outset, I thank Dr. Varner for responding to my first publication and information request, whereas P.L. Angermeier and W.E. Ensign provided helpful comments on the present letter. First, Varner accused me and other scientists of ignoring careful philosophical work, with particular concern that I did not read his own papers. Several biologists (including myself) and sociologists in natural resources have in fact written papers on philosophical issues, e.g., methodological biases in science (Vadas, 1993), animal welfare vs. rights (Schmidt, 1990), and human attitudes towards wildlife (Peterle, 1977; Kellert, 1976; Peyton and Langenau, 1985; Decker et al., 1987; Marion, 1989; Callicott, 1991). Moreover, much of Varner's own work on animal issues is not even in print yet (Varner, 1993a,b,c; but see Varner, 1987). Perhaps Varner has stereotyped me unfairly, as I have been exposed to enough philosophical classes and seminars (as an undergraduate, master's, and doctoral student), other presentations (Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society in 1991 and Society of Conservation Biology in 1992), and journal papers (e.g., the above citations) to have formulated strong opinions on the animal-rights controversy. Perhaps Varner's criticism reflects the frustrating tendency among philosophers to regard themselves as the sole storehouses of philosophical opinions. Second, Varner precisely but arbitrarily defined advanced learning and desires (to qualify a species for animal rights) as "progressive adjustment to multiple learning trials and probability learning situations". In English, this means that animals can only qualify for rights if they can consciously perform deduction and induction, as good scientists should be doing (cf. Vadas, 1993). As Varner (1993c) himself admits, there appears to be a continuous spectrum of non-stereotypic learning among animals, with primates > other mammals > birds and cephalopods (?) > herptiles > fish > insects > other invertebrates in advanced-learning abilities. I suspect that the situation will be even more complex (i.e., in continuous variation) when more animal species within taxa (and not just the species commonly studied in the lab) and more natural (field-oriented) situations are studied. Moreover, do these learning results really imply that birds should have greater rights than herptiles, such that one can do more experiments on, or eat more, herptiles than birds per week? I think many scientists would agree that Varner's qualification criteria for animal rights are arbitrary rather than obvious and inherent. That is, all viewpoints are value-based opinions rather than facts. Third, Varner criticized my idea that genetic distance would serve as a more objective criterion for deciding which animal species qualify for legal rights. But my above argument against sociobiological classification emphasizes the possible danger of opening Pandora's box of behavioral complexity. Perhaps via multivariate-statistical (polythetic) analyses animal behavior could be effectively used to classify species into 'rights' vs. 'welfare' vs. 'non-rights' categories. Or perhaps monothetic classification (on one key character) would make more sense, e.g., a prefrontal cortex (in the mammalian brain) is needed for rights and a central nervous system is needed for welfare (pain minimization) (cf. Varner, 1993c). In any case, I offered genetic distance as a more objective parameter because macroevolutionary (non-continuous) changes seem more likely to be reflected in genes than in animal behavior. Clearly, Varner missed my point when he stated that a "scientist familiar with the philosophical literature on animal rights would not have baldly stated a position generally understood by philosophers to be gravely flawed"; I am well aware of those arguments. Fourth, I criticize Varner's generalization that scientists are ignorant if they disagree with philosophers' arguments. This is a logical fallacy because Varner is jumping to conclusions. Perhaps he has not read enough of the biological literature or talked to enough biologists to avoid creating a straw man. Just as scientists' views are biased by socioeconomic and political views (Vadas, 1993; Varner, 1993b), those of philosophers are probably more so, which scientists such as myself recognize when we formulate opinions. Kellert (1976, 1987) discovered several different human attitudes ranging the gamut from utilitarian (exploitative) to scientific/ecologic to moralistic (animal rightism), attitudes that clearly are tempered by philosophical and moral beliefs. Likewise, Peterle (1977) argued that animal-rights activists' views are often biased by urban, pet-owning lifestyles. Fifth, Langton offered an interesting, alternative criterion for qualification of organismal "rights", namely protecting those species that maintain the health and biodiversity of ecosystems. Given that most species add to biodiversity (by definition), and given the complex ecological relations among species, Langton's "triage" viewpoint is probably similar to the views of environmental biologists; the latter are more concerned with protecting species, habitat, and ecosystems than individual organisms as animal-rights activists typically advocate (Marion, 1989; Callicott, 1991). Such environmental protection is what is in fact advocated by the Endangered Species Act (Angermeier and Williams, 1993), although this clearly qualifies organisms for legal 'considerateness' rather than legal rights _per se_ (Varner, 1987). The Endangered Species Act is much more ecologically and economically minded in philosophy (Angermeier and Williams, 1993) than the legal regulations often called for by animal-rights activists (e.g., to stop people from eating or scientifically testing "higher" animals). I would certainly like to see socioeconomic analyses (e.g., Decker and Goff, 1993) to prove me right or wrong, but rehabilitation of individual animals is well-known for being expensive at the present time (Marion 1989). Finally, I wish to emphasize the points on which Varner, Langton, and I agree. First, I applaud Varner's (1993a,b) efforts to find common ground among animal-rights activists and biologists, such that both may embrace captive breeding of endangered species, field removal of exotic species, reintroduction of native predators (and other native species), and 'therapeutic' harvests of fish and game (to prevent overpopulation). Second, I would agree with Varner (1993b,c) that fish require animal welfare rather than rights _per se_, and that triage (strategic decisions by humans to protect key species) and habitat restoration need more emphasis than captive breeding in fisheries management. But I would generalize these statements beyond fishes to "higher" vertebrates, as do others, for practical and socioeconomic reasons (Schmidt, 1990; Mann and Plummer, 1992). I personally would not want to get the electric chair for killing a fish or deer. Third, I agree with Langton that human overpopulation is the major global problem, and I would further emphasize that it and ecosystem protection are the key environmental issues of the 1990s and beyond. I would thus like to see animal-rights activists devote more energy to these larger-scale issues and less time to animal affection in the future, so that these citizens and scientists can work more closely together on the issues of real and critical importance. This is, of course, only my opinion, but I believe it to be a logical, defensible, and practicable one. REFERENCES Angermeier, P.L., and J.E. Williams. 1993. Conservation of imperiled species and reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Fisheries (Bethesda) 18(7): 34-38. Callicott, J.B. 1991. Conservation ethics and fishery management. Fisheries (Bethesda) 16(2): 22-28. Decker, D.J., and G.R. Goff, eds. 1987. Valuing wildlife: economic and social perspectives. Westview Press, Boulder, CO. 424 pp. Kellert, S.R. 1976. Perceptions of animals in American society. Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 41: 533-546. Kellert, S.R. 1987. The contributions of wildlife to human quality of life. Pages 222-229 in D.J. Decker and G.R. Goff, eds. 1987. Valuing wildlife: economic and social perspectives. Westview Press, Boulder, CO. Mann, C.C., and M.L. Plummer. 1992. The butterfly problem. Atlantic Monthly 1992 (Jan.): 47-70. Marion, W.R. 1989. Wildlife rehabilitation: its role in future resource management. Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 54: 476-482. Peterle, T.J. 1977. Hunters, hunting, anti-hunting. Wildlife Society Bulletin 5: 151-161. Peyton, R.B., and E.E. Langenau, Jr. 1985. A comparison of attitudes held by BLM biologists and the general public towards animals. Wildlife Society Bulletin 13: 117-120. Schmidt, R.H. 1990. Why do we debate animal rights? Wildlife Society Bulletin 18: 459-461. Vadas, R.L. Jr. 1993. The anatomy of an ecological controversy: honey bee searching behavior. Oikos, in press. Varner, G.E. 1987. Do species have standing? Environmental Ethics 9: 57-72. Varner, G.E. 1993a. Can animal rights activists be environmentalists? In: L. Embree and D. Marietta (eds.). Environmental philosophy and environmental activism. In press. Varner, G.E. 1993b. Ethics and captive breeding: questions about animal rights and environmental ethics. In: Proceedings, conservation genetics and evolutionary ecology: a case study of the cichlid fauna of Lake Victoria. In press. Varner, G.E. 1993c. In nature's interests? Interests, animal rights, and environmental ethics. (Chapter 2, "Localizing desire"). Book in prep. Robert L. Vadas, Jr. can be contacted at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0321, U.S.A. Tel: (703) 231-5320; Internet: VADAS@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU <6> 18/05/94 ag508 WORKSHOP ON CONSERVATION OF DIVERSITY IN SITU AND EX SITU (DAKAR, SENEGAL) Conclusions and Recommendations by Gordon McGregor Reid [This workshop took place on Friday November 19, 1993 as part of the International Symposium of Biological Diversity in African Fresh and Brackish Water Fishes (Dakar, Senegal, 15-20 November, 1993). The co-chairs of this workshop session were P. Skelton (South Africa), G. McG. Reid (U.K.), and P. De Rham (Switzerland).] General Action For Conservation 1. Reconciliation of Different Conservation Interests. The overall context for global conservation is set by the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN/UNEP/WWF, 1991) and pertinent general conservation resolutions concerning fishes worldwide are published in Wheeler (1990, p. 271). The high biodiversity seen in African fresh and brackish water fishes is a living aquatic resource of immense economic and nutritional importance, but it is also a wildlife heritage. The prime aim of conservation activities is to retain biological diversity in nature and, as far as possible, to retain natural biotopes. To achieve this aim, active management is often required on-site (_in situ_) and off-site (_ex situ_) both for commercial fisheries and for rare and endangered species, including those in wildlife reserve areas. There is a need, here, to resolve potential conflicts of interest. For instance, the introduction of exotic or cultivated species to new locations may sometimes be beneficial in fisheries terms but such introductions can also pose threats to the survival of indigenous species through, for example, predation, habitat modification, and deleterious interspecific competition. 2. Conservation Through Co-operation For best effect, an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to _in_ and _ex situ_ conservation is needed. These separate approaches should serve to compliment each other. Conservation action should certainly involve the local community and wildlife authorities (local, national and, sometimes international) and may also require contributions from biologists over a wide range of specialisms such as taxonomy, ecology, zoogeography, genetics, physiology, parasitology, fisheries management, aquaculture, zoo aquariology, conservation education, and representatives from the aquarium and fish marketing and export industries. 3. IUCN/SSC Red List of Threatened Species There is a need to review inventories of African fresh and brackish water fishes in relation to the IUCN/SSC Red List of Threatened Species (due for updates January 1994 and possibly in 1997). While southern Africa is presently covered in some detail (Skelton, 1987), existing entries for the rest of Africa are inadequate. From communications delivered at this conference, it is evident that throughout Africa there are localized communities of endemic species which are not listed and which are at least vulnerable, e.g. several putative species in the _Barbus intermedius_ complex in Lake Tana, Ethiopia (Sibbing, F.A., Nagelkerke, L.A., and Osse, J.W., work in progress); and several described and undescribed freshwater species, particularly cichlids, of Madagascar (Noromalala, R.N., Stiassny, M. and De Rham, P., work in progress); and endemic cichlids in the crater lakes of West Africa (Schliewen, U., work in progress). 4. IUCN/SSC Criteria for Endangerment There is a need to critically evaluate these criteria as applied to African freshwater fishes. Criteria currently in operation focus on risks to the survival of individual species rather than on the survival of communities within particular habitats. Also, new criteria have been proposed (Mace _et al._, 1993) which aim to quantify the risk of extinction in genetical terms. While there could be analytical advantages in adopting these new criteria, they are elaborate, of uncertain application in the case of fishes and, as presently formulated, will likely be difficult to apply to practical conservation problems in the field. 5. IUCN/SSC Global Action Plan for Freshwater Fishes This plan is currently being developed through the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group (Mickelburgh, S. and Andrews, C., work in progress). It will include prioritized proposals for the conservation of African freshwater species and so it needs input from and the support of concerned individuals and organizations. The goal of the Action Plan is to promote and monitor fish conservation activities and, as appropriate, to raise funds for model schemes in conservation. Conservation Action _In Situ_ 1. Nature Reserves for African Fishes There is a need for the establishment of more fresh and brackish water national nature reserves and the recognition of more World Heritage Sites. A model enterprise in this respect is the recognition of the legally constituted Lake Malawi National Park as the world's first freshwater park and World Heritage Site. It has been developed to protect a diverse biota including at least 200 endemic species of cichlid fishes. For such reserves to work, it is essential that traditional artisanal fishing interests are fully taken into consideration and that the local community can see benefits in conserving fishes (Ribbink, A.J., work in progress on Lake Malawi). 2. Biological Assessments and Monitoring New and existing sites for conservation require various kinds of biological assessment-especially relating to the taxonomy and ecology of species communities and to the quality of the aquatic environment and any observed perturbations. It is particularly important to monitor the impact of introduced species on indigenous fishes and to develop realistic management strategies to offset any adverse effects (Ribbink, A.J., work in progress on Lake Malawi) 3. Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) Method of Environmental Monitoring This technique, modified to suit local conditions, has promising applications in general fisheries conservation in Africa and in the monitoring of water quality in reserve areas. It involves obtaining baseline data from relatively undisturbed freshwater habitats and developing an index of the overall "health" of a fish assemblage (Ganda, G.P., work in progress in Sierra Leone and Oberdorff, T., work in progress in various parts of Africa). 4. Life History Data Such basic data are crucial to conservation planning and management but, remarkably, they are lacking for many fish species including those which are conservationally sensitive. It is essential to have information on migratory habits, home range patterns, seasonality of behaviour, on foraging and spawning areas; and on biological responses to habitat modification through, say, dam construction. A range of advanced fisheries techniques which can rapidly and economically provide life history data are now available, e.g. biotelemetry (Hocutt, C.H. and Seibold, S.E., work in progress in southern Africa). 5. Education and Training in the Field Local community support for conservation action may be obtained in part through environmental education initiatives at the site of the problem (or potential problem). There is also a need to train technical assistants (wildlife rangers) in aquatic ecology, fish biology, and parks management (Hert, E., work in progress on the development of on- and off-site training programmes to support the Lake Malawi National Park). Conservation Action _Ex Situ_ 1. Database Development Database and research material banks can increase efficiency in conservation. However, international co-ordination is required to avoid unnecessary duplication and not all pertinent research data are readily available to the conservation community. "FISHBASE" is a global database for fishes being developed by the International Center for Living Aquatic Resource Management (ICLARM) in collaboration with the Species Identification and Data Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It includes essential biological information, together with data on geographical distribution and conservation status. While more than 8000 species are already inventoried, the coverage of African fish fauna is incomplete (Froese, 1993). Other extensive bibliographic databases available include FISHLIT being developed by the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, South Africa. For _ex situ_ conservation there is a need to expand the fish component in databases developed within the International Species Inventory System (ISIS). These databases include: Animal Record Keeping System (ARKS); Animal Health and Veterinary Record Keeping System (MEDARKS) and Animal Studbook Record Keeping System (SPARKS or, in Europe, ZRBOOK). Progress in _ex situ_ genetic studbook management of fish and aquatic invertebrate populations should come with the development of CERCI, a computer programme for "colony management" 2. Laboratory Studies There are countless ways in which laboratory studies conducted in universities and other research institutions can provide information of value to _ex situ_ conservation efforts. For example, much of the detail of early ontogeny in fishes is most conveniently investigated in the laboratory. Genetic studies conducted in relation to endemic fishes with small populations and highly localised distributions (the "point endemics" of P. Loiselle) are particularly important. For example, many species of cichlid fishes are polychromatic in nature and genetic studies (including molecular genetics) become crucial in species diagnosis and in the characterisation of the uniqueness of populations. Through an appreciation of the genetic constitution of a species and intraspecific morphotypes, decisions can be made on what should or should not be conserved (Nxomani, C.D. and associates, work in progress on _Tilapia guinasana_ endemic to sinkholes in Namibia). 3. Artificial Reproduction Techniques Such techniques have proved to be beneficial in supporting _ex situ_ breeding groups and also natural fish populations which are being exploited for fisheries purposes. In particular, they can be used to maintain fish stocks during times of environmental disruption, e.g. during the construction of a dam on the Comoe River, West Africa, thousands of new recruits of the population of _Labeo coubie_ were provided through the administration of hormones to adult fishes, hand stripping of eggs and milt and the artificial incubation of the fertilised eggs (Rajts, F., Niaone, A. and Millogo, A., work conducted in Burkina Faso). 4. Cryobiological Techniques and Germplasm Banks These techniques need to be developed to support the long-term maintenance of fish populations in nature and in aquaculture. Cryopreservation of germplasm (sperm, ova, fertilised eggs and embryos) would allow for the easy transportation of genetic material over long distances, and for potentially invigorating genetic exchanges between _in situ_ and _ex situ_ fish populations. The technique facilitates retrospective genetic analysis of founder populations and serves as a form of "insurance" against the loss of species or important genetic lineages (through, say, disease or environmental catastrophes). In some conservation programmes it may prove invaluable in increasing generation time and so reducing the size of the breeding population that it is necessary to support _in situ_ or _ex situ_. While the cryopreservation of sperm is already a reality for species of tilapiine cichlids, no real success has been reported for ova or zygotes. Alternative techniques are under investigation for "capturing" the female genome, for example through" androgenesis" (Rana, K., work in progress at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling). 5. The Role of Zoo Aquaria Zoo aquaria have a valuable conservation role to play in terms of education, scientific study and the captive breeding of certain species which are critically endangered or even extinct in nature. The general way in which zoo aquaria can contribute is detailed in The World Zoo Conservation Strategy (IUDZG/CBSG, 1993). Worldwide, over 600 million people visit zoos every year, i.e. over 10% of the global population. Many of these zoos include aquaria and so the potential audience for an aquatic conservation message is very large. Conservation work in the 1,200 zoos of the world is organised through regional (supranational) associations. For example, activities in the twenty-five zoos in Africa are coordinated through the Pan African Association of Zoological Gardens, Aquariums, and Botanic Gardens. Captive breeding programmes (such as that already existing for Lake Victoria cichlids and being developed for Malagasy freshwater fishes) operate under the _aegis_ of the IUCN Captive Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG); and, at a national level, through Fish Taxon Advisory Groups. While Fish Taxon Advisory groups have recently been established in Britain (Reid, G.M. and Hughes, D., co-chairs) and in the United States (Loiselle, P. and Warmolts, D. co-chairs), formal groups with coordinated breeding programmes remain to be established in continental Europe and Africa. 6. The Role of the Aquarium Industry The Aquarium Industry has a key role to play in conservation by trading in an ethical and responsible way, i.e. in a way which promotes economical development, but which does not create conservation problems. According to International Trade Centre Statistics (collated by G. Basleer) the global wholesale value of aquarium fishes reached 900 million dollars (U.S.) in 1992. Less than 3% of this world trade is African, but it is of concern that roughly 90% of African exports of aquarium fishes relate to wild-caught rather than pond-raised fishes. A greater emphasis on aquaristic pond-culture in Africa would take the pressure off exploiting conservationally sensitive wild stocks and should prove economically beneficial to local communities. Other aspects of the aquarium trade which are of concern include capture, packing and handling operations which involve unnecessarily high mortality rates of fishes in transit; and practices which lead to the dissemination of fish and other aquatic life (including parasites) beyond their home range, so causing potential ecological problems in nature. It should be possible for the Aquarium Industry to support selected conservation initiatives; and for the individual aquarists to assist in particular conservation endeavours (round table contributions of De Rham, P., and Basleer, G.). For example, the international Aquatic Conservation Network (aquarists dedicated to the preservation of aquatic life) is, in conjunction with an expert review panel, currently developing a guideline document for aquarists outlining the prospective contributions they can make to captive breeding programmes. Literature Cited Froese, R., 1993. Report of the study group on FISHBASE. Philippines: ICLARM Contribution No. 969, 11 pp. IUDZG/CBSG (IUCN/SSC), 1993. The World Zoo Conservation Strategy: The Role of the Zoos and Aquaria of the World in Global Conservation. Illinois: Chicago Zoological Society, 76 pp. IUCN/UNEP/WWF, 1991. Caring for the Earth: A strategy for sustainable living. Gland, Switzerland, 228 pp. IUCN, 1988. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge U.K. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Mace, G., _et al._, 1992. The development of new criteria for listing species on the IUCN Red List. Species, No. 19 (December, 1992): 16-22. Skelton, P., 1987. South African Red Data Book-Fishes. South African National Scientific Programmes Report No. 137. Pretoria: FRD/CSIR, 199 pp. Wheeler, A. (ed.), 1990. The Biology and Conservation of Rare Fish. Journal of Fish Biology, 37 (Suppl. A), 271 pp. Gordon Reid is the Curator-in-Chief, North of England Zoological Society, Zoological Gardens, Upton, Chester CH2 1LH, U.K. Tel: (0244) 380280; Fax: (0244) 381352. <7> 18/05/94 ag508 INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES GENE BANK The IFGB is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to counterbalance the loss of wild fisheries genetic resources through a system of regional and national fish gene banks. IFGB activities are funded through public and private donor support for specific genetic conservation projects. The IFGB coordinates the collection, storage and dissemination of germplasm from stocks with potential value in fish culture. As with plant gene banking, the IFGB concentrates on species with economic and social value as food. Like plant seed banks, the IFGB operates to provide a genetic "insurance policy" against further loss of species diversity, and its holdings can be used at any later date to introduce irreplaceable wild genetic resources into national breeding programs. How did the IFGB get started? At the historic United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the nations of the world agreed to promote sustainable development and to reduce the alarming global loss of biodiversity. Shortly afterward, FAO of the United Nations, acting on the recommendation of a panel of international fisheries experts, endorsed gene banking as a means of saving threatened aquatic genetic resources. The IFGB was born out of these two initiatives. It operates with the guidance of an International Advisory Board that includes authorities on fisheries resource management, genetics, legal issues of resource ownership, and plant and animal genetic conservation, as well as representatives from international donor organizations. What about fish genetic resources? Fish culture and enhancement are rapidly gaining on the wild catch, but virtually no attempt has been made to safeguard the wild genetic diversity on which the future, sustainable expansion of aquaculture must be based. The reason is that, from the standpoint of genetic improvement, fish farming is still in its infancy - compared to agriculture, there are few domesticated or improved breeds available. Nevertheless, aquatic biodiversity is vanishing as inexorably as plant biodiversity, and fish culture will stagnate if that wild genetic diversity is unavailable for future breeding. In Malaysia, for example, a recent survey found fewer than half of the over 250 fish species previously described. What valuable genetic resources were lost when those species became extinct? Tools of the Gene Banking Trade IFGB uses Canadian developed cryopreservation technology to freeze the sperm of fish to the temperature of liquid nitrogen (-196C). The technology is similar to that for freezing the sperm of cattle and humans, and allows the frozen material to be frozen for decades. Cryopreserved sperm is easily thawed and combined with eggs using standard artificial fertilization procedures. IFGB'S cryopreservation technology was developed specifically for freezing of sperm in the wild, and can be done by local technicians with minimal training - an essential feature for international operation of the bank. At present, most fish populations are characterized "by reputation" - like locally known plant varieties, many are prized for virtues like size, growth rate, taste and hardiness. Ideally, though, genetic resources should be biochemically characterized so the best use can be made of them in future breeding or population recovery programs. Now, the powerful new tool of DNA fingerprinting allows fish populations to be unequivocally identified based on the uniqueness of their DNA, the genetic blueprint contained in every cell. Using this tool of modern biotechnology is part of IFGB's technical strategy: a portion of every frozen sample is reserved for fingerprinting. Deadman River Project Part of Canada's Thompson River system, Deadman River, traditionally supported runs of chinook and coho salmon (_Oncorhynchus tshawytscha_ and _Oncorhynchus kisutch_ respectively), and still maintains remnants of a genetically unique race of exceptionally large trophy steelhead (_Oncorhynchus mykiss_). Steelhead runs in the Deadman River and in the Thompson River system as a whole have fallen by approximately 90 per cent. Backed by Canada's International Development Research Centre, IFGB and the Shuswap Nation Fisheries Commission began the Deadman River Gene Banking Project in the fall of 1992, freezing sperm from wild coho salmon caught in a spawning fence during their migration up- river. In May of 1993, banking of steelhead genetic resources began with the cooperation of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MOELP): male steelhead entering the MOE counting fence provided sperm samples that were frozen on site, then transported to IFGB headquarters in Victoria. By banking these unique genes, managers of the resource have taken out a genetic "insurance policy" on troubled stocks and they have begun to stockpile much needed genetic diversity for future enhancement programs on the Deadman River. For the Shuswap people, rebuilding salmon runs in their territory is a huge undertaking, and gene banking of Deadman River coho and steelhead stocks is only part of a strategy that includes habitat restoration and voluntary harvest limitations for all users of the resource. Fish Gene Banking in South America Cachama (_Colossoma macropomum_) is a fast-growing, vegetarian species native to the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. Ten years ago, few people outside Latin America knew of its enormous aquaculture potential. Now, it's grown for food not only in its native range but also in China, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines. Most of the cachama now grown in Asia are descended from just a few founder fish originally imported as ornamentals. With such a narrow genetic base, inbreeding and faltering production are inevitable - they're already being seen by farmers in China. Growers in South America need access to new, wild strains of cachama too. During 1992 and 1993 IFGB, working with the Colombian fisheries ministry and the Latin American Aquaculture Network, took steps to develop gene banking technology for the fish. Sponsorship again came from Canada's International Development Research Centre. As a result of this work and a training workshop on gene banking, IFGB has joined with the Instituto Limnologico in Caicara del Orinoco, to establish a regional gene bank for cachama at the Universidad del Oriente. The bank at Caicara will also coordinate collections from Puerto Ayacucho, in cooperation with the Caracas- based conservation foundation FUDECI. Puerto Ayacucho will be a critical source of genetic resources not only from food fish species, but also from ornamental species that are being severely reduced by harvest for the pet trade. FUDECI already operates a centre for fisheries biodiversity in Puerto Ayacucho, where the Orinoco meets the Meta River. Planning for the Future Gene banking is not just a "last resort" strategy that can someday be used to rescue a threatened population or stock. It is also the underpinning for sustainable fisheries development, exactly as the collection of unique wild plant genetic material ensures that plant breeding will have the genetic raw material they need to stay ahead of pests, diseases and environmental change. Sources: IFGB Brochure; June 1993 and October 1993 issues of _Bank Notes_ (IFGB bulletin). For more information contact the International Fisheries Gene Bank, P.O. Box 5760, Station B, Victoria, B.C., Canada V8R 6S8. Tel: (604) 598-6019; Fax: (604) 598-2047. <8> 18/05/94 ag508 "SAVE OUR CORAL REEFS" _Save Our Coral Reefs_ is a coral reef educational manual which has recently been published by Ocean Voice International. The manual is designed to tell people about how coral reefs work, what their parts are, what they need to stay healthy, what harms them, and what you can do to save them. The focus is on coral reefs in the seas around the Philippines, but the information and conservation principles apply to coral reefs in many parts of the globe. The authors are Don E. McAllister and Alejandro Ansula, and cartoons are by Filipino cartoonist Rox Lee. There are more than 85 illustrations - cartoons, drawings and photos (black and white). There are 125 pages with a soft cover spiral binding. There are references and organizations listed that provide resources, a table of contents, and an index. The cost is $20 plus handling and postage ($2.50 surface, $5 airmail). (GST is included in the Canadian price, other countries please pay in US$). Pay by cheque, cash, or money order. To order _Save Our Coral Reefs_ or to obtain further information, contact Ocean Voice International, 2883 Otterson Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1V 7B2, Canada. Tel: (613) 990-8819; Fax: (613) 521-4205; Internet: ah194@freenet.carleton.ca (Filipino editions will be available in 1994 from the Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, 340 Villamor Street, Pinaglaganan, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines) Source: Ocean Voice International <9> 18/05/94 ag508 "MORE THAN A LIVING: FISHING AND THE SOCIAL ORDER ON A POLYNESIAN ATOLL" - NEW BOOK Michael D. Lieber, is a cultural anthropologist who has worked in Micronesia with the people of Kapingamarangi Atoll, a Polynesian outlier, since 1965. His newly published book is about traditional fishing, the environmental and social contexts that organize it, and how both have been transformed since 1900 under three colonial regimes. Briefly, Kapingamarangi people refer to fishing as "surfacing of the sacred." Shaped by the relations between a coral reef ecosystem and a religion designed to appease powerful spirits, traditional fishing activity embodied the integration of and the sanctity of the community. As the Kapinga people have confronted the tide of 20th century colonialism, fishing activity has become a metaphor for the community's disintegration. There isn't much information around about traditional fishing methods and how they were organized. Still less are there accounts of the specific constraints, environmental and cultural, that shape fishing activities and how these activities change over time. The book is written for the non-specialist. One need know nothing about fishing or anthropology (or cybernetics, which is used as framework for the research and the analysis) in order to understand the data or the argument that the book makes. The book is available from Westview Press, 5500 Central Av., Boulder, Colorado 80103, U.S.A. (303-444-3541) at a cost of $36. If you are considering adopting the book for a course, then contact Lieber for instructions or advice. For more information contact Michael D. Lieber, Anthropology Dept., m/c 027 University of Illinois, 1007 W. Harrison St., Chicago, Illinois 60607-7139, U.S.A. Tel: (312) 413-3570; Fax: (312) 413-3573; Internet: U28550@uicvm.uic.edu <10> 18/05/94 ag508 BRITAIN'S FISH AND AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE TAXON ADVISORY GROUP A "Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group" has recently been established in Britain under the auspices of the Joint Management of Species Committee for the Federation of Zoos. It is co-chaired by Gordon Reid (Chester Zoo) and David Hughes (Glasgow Zoo). The aims and objectives of the TAG are as follows: 1. To work generally to improve the standards in the management, husbandry and veterinary care of fishes and aquatic invertebrates held in aquaria and to initiate and develop worthwhile, co- operatively managed breeding programmes of value to species conservation. To work to establish facilities for such programmes, where none exist. 2. To promote, as appropriate, programmes in science and education consistent with the conservation function of the TAG. 3. To develop lists of conservationally sensitive fishes and aquatic invertebrates which would benefit from managed breeding programmes being run by, or in collaboration with, zoo-licensed public aquaria. 4. To select 'model' higher-level taxa, species-groups and species from these lists and to initiate and oversee TAG co-ordinated breeding programmes for species within such taxa. In this connec- tion, to appoint studbook keepers and co-ordinators for each selected species-group or species. 5. To liaise with governmental and non-governmental organisations and with scientists and other individuals working in _in-situ_ programmes for the conservation of fishes and aquatic invert- ebrates. This in order that the TAG co-ordinated _ex-situ_ breeding programmes accurately reflect the situation in nature and are set in an appropriate and worthwhile context, which would, where appropriate, include the possibility of re-introduction programmes being developed. 6. To work in liaison with European (EEP), North American (SSP) and other comparable TAG programmes, where these exist. 7. Where feasible, to work in liaison with experienced private aquarists and specialised societies of aquarists to develop co- operatively managed conservation breeding programmes. 8. To conduct, as necessary, surveys within the zoo/aquarium community, covering fundamental aspects such as: species held, conservation programmes in operation, water quality management systems, and tank space availability for breeding purposes. 9. To work in liaison with representatives of the aquarium industry to discuss issues of mutual concern, including aquarium staff training and health and safety, and the import and export of fishes and aquatic invertebrates. 10. To co-operate with other national and international organisations and with individuals working in the general sphere of aquatic conservation. Twelve individuals are participating in this TAG who come from a wide range of backgrounds including the zoo community, conservation community, veterinary community, scientific community, the aquarium industry and the aquarium hobbyist community. Taken together, they represent broad marine and freshwater interests in the tropical and temperate spheres and a wide range of native and exotic taxa. Participants include: Dr. P.S. Maitland, Fish Conservation Centre Peter W. Scott, Zoo and Aquatic Vet Group Keith Davenport, Ornamental Fish Industry (UK) Mark Vollers, Curator, Anglesey Sea Zoo Dr. Krishen Rana, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling Dr. Elizabeth Wood, Marine Conservation Society Roman Sznober, British Cichlid Association Gordon Howes, British Museum of Natural History Dr. Simon Mickleburgh, Fauna and Flora Preservation Society Dr. Geoff Potts, Marine Biological Association Dr. Garth Foster, The Balfour-Browne Club David J. Fletcher, School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales For more information contact Gordon Reid, Curator-in-Chief, North of England Zoological Society, Zoological Gardens, Upton, Chester CH2 1LH, U.K. Tel: (0244) 380280; Fax: (0244) 381352. <11> 18/05/94 ag508 LAKE VICTORIA HAPLOCHROMINE CICHLIDS: SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN [In the Notebook section of the September '93 issue of 'Aquatic Survival' it was briefly reported that the Lake Victoria Species Survival Plan (VSSP) had been approved by the American of Zoo and Aquarium Association. Following are excerpts from the VSSP application which summarize the habitat, ecology and species of the lake and the status of the ongoing program. The VSSP application was prepared by Doug Warmolts, Columbus Zoo, with assistance from Jay Hemdal, Les Kaufman, Joe Norton and Russ McAndrews.] Habitat Lake Victoria is a shallow (<100m), relatively turbid tropical lake whose physical conditions have changed substantially in the previous few decades toward permanent stratification and increasing turbidity. The principal marginal habitats include the following: rock, cobble, sand, detrital mud, submerged vegetation on sand, some lily pads in protected bays or inlets, and emergent vascular plants (marginal grass/sedge and emergent papyrus swamp). Deep benthic habitats are dominated by soft organic mud covered by floc, but also include sand, shell hash, rounded rocks, and shingled rocks. The pelagic environment consists of the surface (photic) waters (secchi disk readings these days are rarely over 2.0 meters, and are more typically about 1.2 meters even in open waters), the remainder of the epilimnion (most of which is functionally part of the photic zone when the upper water column is well mixed), and a hypolimnion. The mesolimnion during 1989-1993 has ranged between 25m and 50m, covering a large area of the lake bottom that is subject to transitory catastrophic anoxia. This represents a distinct habitat regime of likely importance as a refugium from Nile perch predation. Social Organization and Behaviour The behaviour and social organization for the Lake Victoria haplochromines is typical for that of most mouthbrooding cichlids of the African Great Lakes. When not courting, haplochromines will stay in loose knit groups and will spend most of their time grazing and foraging. Dominant males within the area will occasionally give chase to subordinates, however, their coloration and aggressiveness is much less pronounced as opposed to when courting. Haplochromines in general are territorial animals and a definite pecking order is established within the confines of an aquarium. When courting, a dominant male will establish a territory within its specific trophic range. A consistent trait that seems to apply to most haplochromines is a general darkening of the male especially the chest and pelvic fins which often become black. The dominant male will defend and chase away intruders from his territory including subordinate males, females, and con-specifics. In an aquarium, all intruders are attacked. In the wild, they are more selective. The male's first attempt at reproduction, although not always successful, will bring about, first spawning or courting coloration (very intense), and then following the act, a less intense "dominant" color scheme. When a mature female enters the territory, the male begins a courtship ritual of squaring off and fin displaying to attract the female. Upon releasing eggs, the female then scoops the eggs into her buccal cavity. The male presents egg spots on its anal fin which he quivers in front of the female. The female tries to gather the false eggs while the male releases milt into her mouth, fertilizing the eggs. There are diverse variations on this basic sequence amongst different species. Open water species (e.g. _Yssichromis argens_) are very likely to be mid-water spawners after the fashion of _Cayprichromis_ in Lake Tanganyika. The female then leaves the territory and will brood the eggs in her buccal cavity for 10-14 days. At that time the eggs will hatch and the female will allow them to forage out of her mouth for brief periods, returning at any signal of danger. Typically, a female may not brood her first batch to term. Additionally, the first couple of spawns tend to produce few eggs by comparison with later spawns which are as much as ten times the number. Sexing individuals is usually a simple task. Sexual dimorphism is highly variable from species to species. Some species, seemingly correlating to deep and open water, when not spawning, display little or no color. Another key indicator, egg spots, are always present on the anal fin of the male and are extremely specific as far as the size, color, and arrangement. While some females often exhibit egg spots on the anal fin, these are usually lesser in number and size, paler in color and not true ocelli but pseudo- ocelli. Complicating the situation, a haplochromine male in the process of maturation might display several different colorations or color patterns. On a day to day basis, the one consistent character is the egg spots, although even they can change gradually over the years. Ecology An important aspect of the relationship of the haplochromines to their environment is characterized by the high number of trophic levels within the lake, and a high degree of speciation and endemism. This was strongly influenced and shaped by interactions amongst Haplochromine species and now that the Haplochromines have been reduced, the importance of the physical environment may have been greatly increased. Biotic factors have led to specialization in feeding schemes amongst most fish. The haplochromines are divided amongst piscivores, paedophages, oral shellers/crushers, pharyngeal crushers, insectivores, epilithic algal scrapers/pickers, zooplanktivores, and phytoplanktivores. Within the breeding program, careful consideration was given to try and represent species from each trophic level. These trophic levels correspond to the various ranges of habitats within this vast lake including sand bottoms, mud bottoms, deep water, rocky shelf and shoreline, open water, and submergent and emergent macrophytes. Similarities to Other Species This group has been the subject of extensive morphological analysis which indicates that as many as 300+ species, with identifiable differences exist in Lake Victoria. Several genetic studies have been carried out on the haplochromine cichlids, indicating that genetic differences are small (quantitatively) but significant. The species which have been tested are uniquely identifiable genetically, using either DNA or protein criteria. In addition, it is clear that the species are well differentiated ecologically in Lake Victoria, a critical factor considered in the choice of species to be included in the program. Environmental Factors The recent history of Lake Victoria is one of dramatic changes in limnological parameters and native stocks. Overfishing, exotic species introductions, deleterious land use practices, and pollution from various sources all contributed to the oxygen depletion and mass extinction of indigenous fishes now taking place. The earliest known anthropogenic changes in the fish assemblages were the result of overfishing. Gill nets and other modern fishing methods, increased by the British in the early part of the century, led to the rapid depletion of important anadromous fishes that once had spectacular spawning runs up the rivers that flow into Lake Victoria, and the ngege, _Oreochromis esculentus_, which originally supported the lake's most important fishery. Several exotic species of tilapia were introduced from other lakes and rivers during the late 1950's to replace the devastated stocks of native fishes. At first these introductions were not very successful, but the _Oreochromis niloticus_ was eventually to take hold and prosper. High rainfall during the early 1960's submerged and destroyed extensive beds of littoral vegetation, eliminating important spawning and nursery groups for native species. This must have contributed to the decline of at least those native species dependent on the nearshore habitats. Beginning in 1954, Nile perch _Lates niloticus_, were introduced to the lake. Nile perch persisted as a minor component of the fauna for decades until the early 1980's. Then the species underwent a staggered series of population explosions in the eastern, northern, and southern waters of the lake. The trigger for the Nile perch irruptions is not known. The leading hypothesis for the native fishes' demise is that they were consumed by the introduced Nile perch: the decline in native fishes, and the increase in Nile perch populations are almost perfectly reciprocal. The decline of the haplochromines was dramatic and rapid. As recently as 1978, the haplochromine fauna was intact. Haplochromines contributed about 80% of the biomass and Nile perch less than 2%, with the remainder consisting of the introduced tilapia and non-native cichlids. By 1983 in Kenya and by 1986 in Tanzania, the native fish community had been virtually destroyed, and the Nile perch comprised better than 80% of the catch. The remaining 20% consisted of tilapia, the tiny native omena, _Rastineobola argentea_, and a small remnant of other native fishes. A community of over 300 fish species collapsed. Along with the disruptions caused by the introductions, the 1980's witnessed the regular appearance of dense algal blooms and associated low oxygen levels in the lake's shallow area. Anoxia brought about fish kills. Thus, it appears that coincident with the Nile perch explosion, came a violent change in the physical environment of the lake. Prior to 1978, the lake was well-mixed. Fish biomass was high even in deep water. Now, lake Victoria appears to be stratified for the entire year. In addition, local upwelling of hypoxic waters have caused extensive fish kills. A number of other aspects of the lake's ecology also appear to have changed: productivity and turbidity have increased, papyrus swamps are on the decline, snails are increasing in abundance, water hyacinth has been accidentally introduced, the land surrounding the lake has been extensively deforested, and human populations bordering the lake have risen dramatically. Status of Species in Captivity Thirty four species are being maintained by 32 institutions and private breeders. Most species are represented at at least three different facilities. Those species new to the program or otherwise poorly represented within the program receive priority as space becomes available. Current studbook species to be included in the SSP are: _Haplochromis sp._ "aeleocephalus - like" _Yssichromis argens_ _Haplochromis sp._ "big eye scraper" _Haplochromis sp._ "blue glint" _Paralabidochromis chilotes_ _Platyaenniodus degeni_ _Haplochromis sp._ "flameback" (Uganda) _Haplochromis sp._ "flameback" (Kenya) _Haplochromis sp._ "frogmouth" _Haplochromis sp._ "goldchest" _Haplochromis sp._ "grey pygmy" _Labrochromis ishmaeli_ _Haplochromis sp._ "rock kribensis" (Uganda) _Haplochromis sp._ "rock kribensis" (Kenya) _Haplochromis macula_ _Haplochromis sp._ "madonna" _Lipochromis maxillaris_ _Pyxichromis orthostoma_ _Prognaochromis perrieri_ _Astatotilapia piceatus_ _Haplochromis sp._ "pink flush" _Paralabidochromis plagiodon_ _Yssichromis pyrrocephalus_ _Haplochromis sp._ "red anal" _Harpagachromis sp._ "red-eye guiarti" _Haplochromis sp._ "red little mouth" _Ptychromis sp._ "Rusinga oral sheller" _Haplochromis sp._ "salmon" _Ptychromis sauvagei_ _Haplochromis sp._ "serranus-like" _Haplochromis sp._ "spot bar" _Haplochromis sp._ "two stripe white lip" _Haplochromis sp._ "utajo" _Ptyochromis xenognathus_ Presently, the number of founders for each species stock is small, ranging from four individuals to about thirty. For some species, we expect that additional genetic stock will enter the program from nature. Populations have expanded quickly, which is possible because of the high fecundity of most of the species of these fish when breeding is successful. Broods are mixed within a generation, but random mating within a generational cohort is permitted. Because of high fecundity, space requirements, and the possibility of multiple broods per parent, strict pedigree tracking of individuals is considered uneconomical. Consequently, the levels of inbreeding in each species is affected primarily by the size of the initial founder stock, and is estimated to be in the range 0.15 or less for all species at this time. Species will be managed in a manner which extends the generation time, in order to reduce loss of genetic variation. Species population sizes are being rapidly increased to reach a minimal viable population size in captivity of 200 per generational cohort. Of the 34 species currently in the breeding program, 30 have reproduced in captivity. Most of these have reproduced at more than one institution and are well established within the program. In general, haplochromines will breed readily in captivity and are quite prolific provided they have the correct conditions. The four species which have not spawned yet are either immature founder stock or a species currently not in captivity which has been targeted for founder stock acquisition. The Species Survival Plan is part of a larger conservation effort for this fauna that will eventually include lakeside propagation of endangered food and other native fish species, reintroduction to peripheral lakes within the Lake Victoria basin, and ultimately, attempts at reintroduction into Lake Victoria proper. Interest has risen in both Kenya and Uganda in the idea of walling off small bays for commercial production of native fishes, and such efforts are viewed as logical preliminaries to attempted reintroduction of native lacustrine species. At present, a hatchery is being refurbished in Kenya with funds from the EPA with primary interest in anadromous and food fishes, and a hatchery is due to be refurbished in Uganda with funds from the World Bank. Native fishes are readily being gathered, deposited, and maintained in the Kenyan facility, so that experience in mass production and grow out can be increased in-country. The SSP represents a core activity of the Lake Victoria Research and Conservation Program (LVRCP), which is being conducted under the direction of the New England Aquarium, and is in collaboration with the fisheries research institutes of the host countries, and other parties. A NSF-funded workshop held in Jinja (Uganda) in August, 1992, launched work toward a lake basin management plan, including provision for environmental policy reform, biodiversity conservation, and restoration, and fisheries management. As a follow-up, the three riparian nations (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) signed an agreement ratifying implementation of one of the principle recommendations of the workshop, that an international Lake Victoria commission be established to coordinate lake management and conservation [the executive summary of the workshop recommendations was printed in _Aquatic Survival_, Vol. 1, Number 3, September, 1992]. The LVRCP is now working closely with the World Bank and US-AID to develop a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) program for the lake, to accelerate work in the research, policy, and conservation arenas. These steps are important political and scientific prerequisites to the development of serious species restoration plans for the native fishes of the lake. Conclusions The intention of the SSP is to consolidate and focus support by the professional aquarium and academic communities of North America (and by extension, Africa and Europe) for the conservation and ultimate restoration of representative remnants of the unique endemic fish fauna of the Lake Victoria Basin. As demonstrated during the first few years of existence, a captive breeding program can play an important role by facilitating conservation, research, providing brood stock for experimental studies, and by providing brood stock for aquaculture and, ultimately, restoration of some species to the wild. For further information contact the chair of the Lake Victoria Species Survival Plan: Joe Norton, Aquarium, St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park, Missouri 63110, U.S.A. Tel: (314) 781-0900; Fax: (314) 647- 7969. <12> 18/05/94 ag508 LAKE VICTORIA ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME: A COMMUNITY ACTION-PLAN WORKSHOP (September 13 - 17, 1993) Workshop Statement: 1. OSIENALA is a regional, voluntary and non-profit making organization based in Western Kenya with its headquarters presently located on Kibos Road in Kisumu-Kenya. It was launched as a non- governmental organization on the 25th May 1993. 2. The organization originated from an initiative by the Community members from around the Kenyan portion of Lake Victoria in 1992. The communities initiated the organization with the primary objectives of strengthening the capacity within communities to organize themselves as custodians of their own environment; and enable them to apply management measures that can optimize their socio-economic needs on a sustainable basis. The challenge is therefore to deal with the deteriorating environmental situation of Lake Victoria and its environment and restore it to its original glory. 3. As a primary step towards meeting its objectives, OSIENALA organized a community action plan workshop on Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme. This was held in Kisumu from 13th - 17th September, 1993 and attended by representatives of active community based groups around the lake, environmental administrators, NGO's, environmental specialists operating in the region and international observers. 4. The workshop noted that Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world with a multitude of resources and biodiversity directly supporting an estimated population of about 5 million indigenous people. The livelihood of these people as well as the biodiversity of the lake are threatened by the increasingly deteriorating environmental situation in the lake and its environs. There is indeed a growing concern, both at the local and global levels, that if the environmental degradation is not quickly and decisively addressed, the lake may soon be unable to support the livelihood of these communities. This will deprive the communities of their source of livelihood and the diversity of biological systems of great historical value. 5. Workshop participants therefore mandated OSIENALA to immediately initiate steps to liaise with institutions and other organizations to consolidate and facilitate effective and meaningful community participation in abating the environmental degradation of the Lake Victoria region. 6. The workshop noted with appreciation the international concern epitomized in the World Bank and UNDP's stance. The two global institutions have already declared their intentions to support and facilitate the efforts of the three riparian countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) in saving the lake from further environmental degradation. 7. Participants at the workshop, who are representatives of a cross section of the communities in the region and are the stakeholders are convinced that they can play a major role in this process. The World Bank, UNDP and other agencies are therefore requested to urgently consider providing direct support to the communities to facilitate the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of Lake Victoria. It is the participants' conviction that this direct support will mobilize community participation and ensure sustainability of initiated programmes. OSIENALA thanks the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme for their financial and moral support of the workshop. A detailed report will be released for publication. For information contact Obiero Ong'ang'a, Executive Director, OSIENALA (Friends of Lake Victoria), P.O. Box 4580, Kisumu, Kenya. Tel: (035) 42366. <13> 18/05/94 ag508 NOTEBOOK - Dr. Gordon Reid at the Chester Zoo has a Malagasy PhD student working with him who will be involved in ecological field survey work in Madagascar which will include fish and aquatic invert- ebrates. - Grants have been obtained by Liverpool's John Moore University in conjunction with Chester Zoo to support a Ph.D. research project on the conservation of goby cichlids in Lake Tanganyika. Contact: Gordon Reid, Chester Zoo, Upton, Chester CH2 1LH, U.K. Tel: (0244) 380280; Fax: (0244) 381352. - David Armitage recently returned from 2 weeks in The Gambia where he managed a bit of fish hunting and photography without actually taking anything home. He was able to fish in the Abuko reserve (3 species of cichlids and a Clarias), in freshwater holes in Pirang forest (Tilapia), in a stream at the edge of rice fields in Darsilami (Epiplatys) and in the Kotu stream for mudskippers! He did not find Rollofia geryi in Abuko, although it has been found there in the past. He suspects that it may have been the wrong (dry) time of the year. - Dr. Luis Levin recently provided brief information about his work. He is a researcher in fish behaviour at Universidad Central de Venezuela, working with fresh water fish of the flood plains, particularly learning, group learning in schools, sun-compass oriented migration, and predator prey relationships. He can be contacted at Apartado Postal 47106, Los Chaguaramos, Caracas 1041-A, Venezuela. Internet: llevin@conicit.ve - The British Marine Life Study Society was formed in 1990. The organization's purpose is: 1) the study of the marine fauna and flora of the shore and seas surrounding the British Isles; 2) the publication and distribution of knowledge of marine wildlife and environment of the British Isles; 3) promotion of ideas and projects concerning the conservation of the British marine environment. For information contact the BMLSS, Membership Secretary, 14 Corbyn Crescent, Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex, BN43 6PQ, England, U.K. - The Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) has opened a Conservation Center in the Florida Keys in Marathon, Florida. A CMC brochure "Get the Facts" has also been published to dispel myths and misinformation regarding plans for the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary. For information contact Ms. Marcy Roth, CMC Conservation Center, 8075 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050, U.S.A. Tel: (305) 743-5199; Fax: (305) 743-4388. - The C&M Foundation (Conservation & Management) and the CITES Secretariat (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is developing a quarterly magazine titled C&M (Conserva- tion and Management) to provide a channel of expression for every sector involved in the trade of endangered species (scientists, administrators, producers, dealers, consumers). It is intended to contribute to efforts to meet the demand for global discussion among all those who are interested in nature conservation. It will be published in English initially but with the intent to develop publishing capacity in several other languages in the near future. The cost is US $40 per year (4 issues). For further information contact the office of your national CITES administrator or else write to CITES Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme, 15, chemin des An‚mones, Case postale 456, CH-1219 Chƒtelaine, GenŠve, Switzerland. Tel: 41 22 979 9111, Fax: 41 22 797 3417. - The ACN area on CompuServe's FISHNET recently relocated to the Aquaria/Fish Forum. We were previously found in FISHNET's Aquatic Data Center which was replaced with the new PETPRO during a major restructuring of FISHNET. PETPRO is now a forum for aquarium industry to interact with the hobby community. In the same restructuring, FISHNET made the Aquaria/Fish Forum larger and a new and better home was provided for us there. There is a public message area labelled "Aquatic Conservation" and we share Library 7 for archiving Aquatic Survival back issues and other information files. The Aquaria/Fish Forum appears to have much more activity than the former Aquatic Data Center and the move should be beneficial. If you have CompuServe access, drop a line to the ACN at 71022,3537 (Rob Huntley). <14> 18/05/94 ag508 THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HOBBY AND YOU! by John R. Fisher The world's waterways are under siege. Overpopulation and poverty along with their resulting pollution and the destruction of natural resources has created an escalation of natural catastrophes throughout the world. For instance, the island of Madagascar has lost more than 90% of its rainforests. Likewise, the Amazon rainforest is being slashed and burned at alarming rates. Coral reefs have been dynamited. In our own country and in Europe acid rain is turning many pristine waterways into lifeless habitats where the pH is so low that nothing can live there. Pollution has turned many of the world's waters into lifeless voids. In the seventies there were rivers in this country that were declared fire hazards! While we may be making small steps in the right direction here in our own country, it is not enough. Most clams harvested in the U.S.A. are unfit for human consumption without processing to remove human faecal matter. Over half the flounder in Boston harbour have some form of cancer, either internal or in the form of external lesions. I grew up on one of the bays about 20 miles south of Boston harbour and can remember going out fishing with my Dad and being able to catch flounder all day long if we wanted to. Likewise, we could go just outside the harbour into the ocean and catch numerous haddock. Now you have to travel many miles out into the Atlantic to find haddock and even that is a hit and miss proposition. Old fishing maps indicate that haddock were actually caught within the harbour up until the 1960's. What does all this mean for those of us who keep a few tropical fish at home? The same things that I have witnessed in Boston harbour are happening throughout the world. They are happening at such a rapid rate that it is quite probable that as a result of the extinction of species and restrictive legislation, at some point within our lifetime the only fish that will be available to us as hobbyists will be those that are raised in captivity. Extinction of Species What will cause the extinction of species that we keep as hobbyists? The majority of wild collected aquarium fish are captured in Third World countries (South America, Africa, Southeast Asia) for the 'developed' countries (North America, Europe). Some economists refer to the Third World countries as the 'never to be developed' countries, quite simply based upon the fact that the world does not have limitless resources. They believe that there will never be enough natural resources (fossil fuels, metals, etc.) available for these countries to develop into industrialized nations. Though this may be a pessimistic view, and while I certainly think the industrialized nations should be doing more to try to reduce the ever widening gap between the world's rich and poor, it is a realistic approach to expect that the problems in the Third World countries will not get better and will probably continue to deteriorate. As the population of these countries continues to soar, the demands on the environment will also escalate until these societies collapse under the burden of starvation and poverty. The first natural resources to go will be the forests, waterways and the wildlife within them. Can we do anything to help prevent the environmental collapse of these ecosystems? Again, I must apologize for my pessimism (someone once said that a pessimist is an informed optimist) but I see little hope. The earth is a delicately balanced, finite system. Like your aquarium at home, it has its limits to its population. Many leading scholars see overpopulation as the source of many of the world's problems yet no one is willing to take the lead on these issues. Until the world's governments and the leading religions begin to take population control seriously, there will be no reversal of the current trend. Restrictive Legislation All of this destruction of wildlife and its habitat will lead to a second area that will adversely affect our hobby - legislative restrictions. They are inevitable unless we as hobbyists can prove to our legislators that restrictions are not necessarily in the best interests of the world environment in general. There are groups whose power is growing daily, that advocate a complete ban on the keeping of animals or the use of animals by humans. It may be true in some cases that a total ban on imports of animals or products is necessary. The ivory trade and the impact on the status of the African elephant is one example. Ivory carving is a worldwide tradition with its roots in Asia. I have wandered the streets of Hong Kong (the ivory trading capital of the world) window shopping with amazement at the creations of the skilled artisans that make their living in this trade. Yet all this skill and beauty is resulting in the destruction of this magnificent species by poachers who may have no other way to make a living. Enforcement of existing laws or controlled harvesting within the elephant's home range is ineffective due to economic pressures. Thus, a total ban on imports by consuming countries is necessary to avoid contributing to the elephant's demise and the U.S. has already banned the importation of ivory products some years ago. Of course, it would be naive to think that such laws will guarantee the survival of the African elephant. Black markets will certainly open up. But hopefully the demand will lessen, giving the elephants some relief. Such restrictions already exist within the tropical fish hobby. It is illegal to import endangered species, as well it should be. The exception to this should be to make some animals available for captive breeding programs when practical. This is why hobbyists need a stronger, more organized legislative voice. Legislation is typically nothing more than a series of compromises between conflicting special interest groups. The hobby should be represented in these decisions to help bring about a balance between what is in the best interests of the animal and the environment, and what is in the best interests of the hobby. For instance, the Asian Arawana is an endangered species and importing it into the U.S. is illegal. Hobbyists should support this law simply because there is no feasible way a hobbyist could hope to spawn this fish (it gets several feet long). Yet with other, smaller species whose home habitat is disappearing, it would be tragic to not make them available to hobbyists because we could very likely save them from extinction. Likewise, we should be observant of what is occurring around us. Take the Synodontis catfishes of Africa, for example. These species are quite popular with hobbyists and virtually all specimens that are available in the hobby are collected in the wild. There have been few instances of these fish being bred in captivity. There was an event in the hobby that recently scared me. _Synodontis eupterus_, the beautiful sail fin catfish, has always been extremely rare in the fish hobby. For most people they were only a picture in a book. Then all of a sudden stores (and wholesalers) throughout the country were flooded with thousands of juvenile specimens retailing for about $10. That is a low price for most Synodontis and is ridiculously inexpensive for a fish that was never available before. It occurred to me that perhaps a collector had discovered where they breed or where the young gather together in schools and the end result was that the hobby was flooded with them. But I thought, "how long could a rare species stand such collecting?". Did I purchase any? Yes, I bought six of them, with the hope of breeding them when they become adults by giving them the largest habitat possible and attempting to duplicate their native conditions. Fortunately, it turned out that _S. eupterus_ was in fact being raised on farms. Good news, but the point still stands. This brings me to the main point of this article. All of us can and must try to do our part to save our hobby and more importantly some of the world's fish species from extinction. Captive breeding is the answer. It is not necessary to spend huge sums of money on obscure catfish and set up swimming pools in your living rooms. Any form of breeding helps. Although we should not be hybridizing or developing colour varieties of endangered fish (in case they are inadvertently re- introduced into the wild at some future date), breeding and keeping the man-made varieties already available can make significant contributions. For instance, the fish farms that raise angelfish have been plagued by diseases in recent years, making angels hard to get. Local breeders throughout the country have been supplying stores with disease-free angels. Any fish bred by the fish farms or by the hobbyist helps to reduce pressures on the wild populations. Also, keeping display tanks with domesticated varieties of fish (goldfish, for instance) helps. It makes more sense to have a tank full of goldfish for display than to have a tank full of wild caught fish that will die without any attempts to breed them. Likewise, the hobbyist that specializes in man-made varieties contributes by still enjoying this wonderful hobby of ours without putting any pressures on wild populations. You can make a contribution with little expense and at the same time expand your participation in the hobby. With as small as a ten gallon tank you could begin to breed corydoras cats, tetras, dwarf cichlids, etc. that are wild collected, available in the stores, yet are not overly difficult to breed. If you desire to do so, you can attempt to tackle some of the more difficult species. I urge you to look at your hobby. Are you giving back to Mother Nature some of what you are taking? If you are not breeding anything and you have more than one tank, have you considered using one tank for breeding? It can be done. Buy one pair of fish and when necessary move the parents to your community tank or pass them along to another hobbyist. As the babies grow and the tank becomes crowded give them away, trade them, sell them. You can do it. You must do it. John Fisher can be contacted at P.O. Box 306, Underhill, Vermont 05489, U.S.A. CompuServe: 72774,256 <15> 18/05/94 ag508 "REVIEW OF _RIVULUS_ - ECOBIOGEOGRAPHY, RELATIONSHIPS" A "Review of Rivulus - Ecobiogeography, Relationships", by Dr. Jean H. Huber of the Soci‚t‚ Fran‡aise d'Ichthyologie (SFI), is the first comprehensive analysis of this neotropical Cyprinodont (or killies) genus. Published in English, it encompasses 110 taxa (including synonyms) with 7 descriptions of new species and several redescriptions: - 586 black and white pages of scientific data and evaluations, including all what is known from the aquarium; most of these being reported for the first time, with 60 photos, 158 line drawings, 13 tables and 18 maps; - 40 colour pages with 145 colour prints of 65 species and their variations according to population; also, with examples of the fishes' preferred biotopes. The Rivulus genus is well known to both aquarists and scientists since: - it is the most widespread neotropical Cyprinodont genus, from Florida to Argentina, i.e. about 7,000 km (or 4,400 miles); - the males of most species exhibit striking colours, when best kept and fed, just about like the famous Aphyosemion, their counterparts in Africa; - these fishes show a strange jumping and aestivating behaviour, stranding their eggs in nature and placing them on top of the mop in the aquarium; - the genus comprises some unique killies as a selfing hermaphrodite (R. ocellatus/ marmoratus), a quarrelsome annual (R. stellifer), a Nannostomus shaped nocturnal jewel (R. xiphidius), an Anableps-like non-swimmer (R. atratus), without mentioning the dozens of species, most of them easy to breed, which rival each other by colours and specificities. For example, did you know that R. santensis was reported with a 1m high jump, that R. hartii was found in an artificially dug pit, filled by rainwater, some 200m high up a hill from a dried-up brook, that more than half of the female-looking hermaphrodites of R. marmoratus become secondary males when old, that the famous so- called supracaudal ocellus is neither 100% a female character, nor 100% a genus character, that some species like letting the current of big rivers move them gently, whereas others, such as R. geayi prefers no water at all, but beds of wet leaves, that a lot of species feed on terrestrial ants and love black waters, that R. marmoratus typical habitat is crab holes, etc., etc. For each species are reported its aquarium requirements, its habitat, the collecting localities and all necessary scientific information. This book is also unique, because the author has agreed not to get a single franc (or penny!) from its sales; but if eventual profits are derived from them, they will be given to SFI, a non-profit organization which is funding European ichthyological research, and to PAHO, the South American arm of UNICEF, for child-health. The cost of the book is 450 French Francs (including postage) per copy, payable to Soci‚t‚ Fran‡aise d'Ichthyologie (SFI). For more information contact Dr. Jean H. Huber, Soci‚t‚ Fran‡aise d'Ichthyologie, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris cedex 05, France. Fax: (33) 1 40 79 37 71. Source: Order Form Information Sheet <16> 18/05/94 ag508 COMING EVENTS Fifth Annual Sea World Whale Symposium This symposium will be held in San Diego, California, February 19, 1994. For information: Robin Lowder, Sea World of California Education Department, 1720 South Shores Road, San Diego, California 92109, U.S.A. Tel: (619) 226-3903; Fax: (619) 226-3996. National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association The annual conference of the NWRA will be held March 2 to 6, 1994 in Wilmington, Delaware. For information contact NWRA, 14 North 7 Avenue, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303, U.S.A. Tel: (612) 259-4086. Aquatic Fauna in Peril: The Southeastern Perspective This conference will be sponsored by the Tennessee Aquarium and will be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, March 31 to April 1, 1994. For information contact Janet Allen, Tennessee Aquarium, P.O. Box 11048, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37401-2048. Tel: (800) 262-0695. Lakeside '94 This U.K. event will combine an international conference on conservation and endangered species with the Southern Fishkeeping Exhibition with proceeds going to the London Zoo Aquarium. The trade exhibition will open to the public on May 28, 29 & 30, 1994 (May 27 for trade only). The conference will focus on the effects of importations of tropical and marine fish and the future of the industry. For further information contact Peter Newman, The Mini Reef Society, 55 Burleigh Road, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 5EA, England, U.K. Tel: 0276-23728. Predator-Prey Relationships in Fishes The Fisheries Society of the British Isles will hold their annual international symposium on July 11 to 15, 1994 in Glasgow, Scotland. It is being organized by the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban and the Zoology Department, Glasgow University. A summary was provided in the September '93 issue of Aquatic Survival. For information contact Dr. R.N. Gibson, FSBI Symposium Organising Committee, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban, Argyll, Scotland PA34 4AD. Tel: 0631 62244; Fax: 0631 65518; Internet: S_RG@UK.AC.NSM.VA 1994 AZA Annual Conference The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA - formerly AAZPA) will hold its 1994 annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia from September 18 to 22, 1994. The Conference Program Chairperson is Paul Grayson, Indianapolis Zoo. Tel: (317) 630-2054. CITES - 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties The Office of the U.S. Management Authority has informed the CITES Secretariat that COP9 is scheduled to take place at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 7 to 18, 1994. For more information contact CITES Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme, 15, chemin des An‚mones, Case postale 456, CH-1219 Chƒtelaine, GenŠve, Switzerland. Tel: 41 22 979 9111, Fax: 41 22 797 3417. Biodiversity from 1986 to the 21st Century This Inaugural Symposium of the Consortium for Systematics and Biodiversity will be held on November 18 to 19, 1994 at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It represents an opportunity to bring together a large body of scientific talent from a broad range of disciplines bearing on biodiversity. Speakers include Thomas E. Lovejoy, James Dietz and Daniel Janzen. For information contact Dr. Marjorie Reaka-Kudla, Department of Zoology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, U.S.A. Tel: (301) 405-6944. 4th International Conference on Aquatic Ecosystem Health, and International Symposium on Microbial Food Web Dynamics in Marine and Freshwater Environments To be held in 1995 in Coimbra, Portugal and sponsored by the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society. Contact: A.M.V.M. Soares (Portugal) - Tel: 351-39-24226; Fax: 351-39-28611 or P. Ross (U.S.A.) - Tel: (803) 792-7875; Fax: (803) 792-7084. International Symposium on Large Freshwater Ecosystems of the World and their Management To be held in Cairo, Egypt in the Winter, 1995 and sponsored jointly by Environmetrics and the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society. Contact: A. El-Shaarawi (Canada) - Tel: (416) 336-4584; Fax: (416) 336-4989. <17> 18/05/94 ag508 ACN NEWS by Rob Huntley Election Results As this issue is being released a bit behind schedule, there is an opportunity to report the results of the first ACN election. Approximately 2/3 of eligible voters sent in their ballots - a good showing and a positive expression of interest by the members in the leadership and evolution of the organization. The first elected Board of Directors of the ACN is comprised of Patrick de Rham, Henrik Hornhaver, Dennis Hough, Roger Langton, Paul Loiselle, Shawn Prescott, and Mark Rosenqvist. Roger Langton is now the President of the ACN; a decision on Vice-president is pending. Appointments include myself as Treasurer and Sally Van Camp as Membership Chairperson. As ongoing General Manager, I will be an _ex officio_ Board Member and serve as Secretary to the Board. Visit to Chester Zoo On December 23, 1993, Gordon Reid at Chester Zoo welcomed a gathering of several ACN members to coincide with my visit to the United Kingdom. It was a great opportunity to meet several of the UK members including Tony Cotter, Mike Hansell, Alan Hill, and Karen Horrocks. We had a good look around the aquarium (front and back). We also had the opportunity to talk in general terms about the aims and projects of the ACN over a Christmas luncheon generously provided by Dr. Reid and the Zoo. Thanks again! Madagascar Project The ACN and the Freshwater Fishes Taxon Advisory Group of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, are working to develop a Memorandum of Understanding for a "Cooperative Project on the Conservation of Madagascar Freshwater Ichthyofauna". This would be aimed at the development and implementation of a 5 year plan aimed at the _in-situ_ conservation and _ex-situ_ captive breeding of endangered endemic and non-anadromous freshwater fishes of Madagascar. I prepared a first draft of this memorandum which was received positively by the FFTAG co-chairs Paul Loiselle and Doug Warmolts. This draft was also circulated to all FFTAG members and to the ACN Madagascar Project Committee. A few additions are being considered based on discussions about the draft, and a second draft will be developed soon. ACN Madagascar Project Committee members are encouraged to forward their comments on the first draft as soon as possible. Desert Fishes Council and the ACN At this year's annual meeting of the Desert Fishes Council (Monterrey, Mexico, November 11-13, 1993) the ACN again put forward a resolution "Relative to Professional/Non-Professional Cooperation in Aquatic Conservation". The wording remained identical to what was submitted in 1992 as it was felt to be fully acceptable on our part. Unfortunately, the proposed resolution was again not accepted. This result comes after a concerted effort to inform members of the DFC about the ACN. DFC's Executive Secretary, Phil Pister, had kindly permitted us to include an ACN information package with the mailing of the 1992 DFC Proceedings, which we did. Obviously this was not sufficient. Paul Loiselle encourages us to keep trying. Ideas would be welcomed. If your interest is desert fishes, please become involved in our efforts to gain improved recognition by the DFC. Note: The text of the resolution was printed in full in the December, 1992 issue of _Aquatic Survival_ along with and informative article by Roger Langton. A copy of the resolution will be provided to ACN members upon request. Canada's "Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act" As mentioned in the June, 1993 issue of _Aquatic Survival_, the ACN has been contributing to the review process in establishing Canada's wildlife trade regulations. The first ACN submission was made in June in response to the _Regulatory Options_ document which had been circulated to potentially interested parties by the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada. A second ACN submission was made in December, this time to comment on the draft regulatory proposal. I have been operating in somewhat of a vacuum on this issue, having no special knowledge of the experience in other countries with respect to trade regulations. However, I am aware that there are major concerns in other countries with their trade regulations as they apply to tropical aquarium fish. I have made every attempt to be objective in my submissions with respect to the needs of commercial trade and the goals of conservation. But I would welcome the support of anyone with interest and/or expertise in this subject as the revision process in Canada is still ongoing. As I mentioned previously, the ACN is not established to lobby, but we have been invited to take part in this consultation process and I feel that it is important that we do - not just in Canada, but wherever conservation ideals potentially clash with commercial trade and the hobby, and provided we are invited to comment and feel equipped to do so. My understanding is that this is an issue where extremist views can lead to biased positions and eventually name-calling. In my view, the Canadian government is making a sincere attempt to establish a mutually satisfactory arrangement and we need to show our support for this effort by responding with constructive input. _Ex Situ_ Focus Group On behalf of the ACN, I was invited to participate in the two day "_Ex situ_ Focus Group" workshop held at the Metro Toronto Zoo on November 8 & 9, 1993. This workshop was organized by the Biodiversity Convention Office of Environment Canada as part of Canada's follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro (June, 1992). A summary of this initiative is anticipated in a future issue of _Aquatic Survival_. <18> 18/05/94 ag508 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - David Armitage for publicity in Labyrinth, newsletter of the Anabantoid Association of Great Britain - Gordon Reid for hosting a get-together and Christmas dinner for several UK ACN members (Tony Cotter, Mike Hansell, Alan Hill, Karen Horrocks) during Rob Huntley's visit. - Gordon Reid for mentioning the ACN's work at the "Workshop on Conservation of Diversity In Situ and Ex Situ" held in Dakar, Senegal (see report in this issue). - Richard Laing, Biodiversity Convention Office of Environment Canada for inviting ACN participation (Rob Huntley) in the "Ex Situ Focus Group". - Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs (CAOAC) for publishing ACN advertising in a recent issue of their newsletter. - Ottawa Valley Aquarium Society for running an ACN ad in their newsletter, Something Fishy. - Water Garden Journal for publishing information about the ACN. - Martin Hach‚ for tabulating ballots in the recent ACN election. - Kai Witte and Craig Berg for translation. - Frank Greco for typing, yet again. - James Hensinger and Ascot International Tropical Fish Databank for words of praise about the ACN in the November 1993 issue of Ascot Aquatic Monthly and for reproducing Chris Andrews' article "The Role of Aquatic Collections in Conservation" from the September '93 issue of Aquatic Survival. - Aquarist & Pondkeeper magazine and Chris Andrews for the positive note on the ACN in his article titled "Breeding Programmes and Fish Conservation" (November '93 issue). <19> 18/05/94 ag508 INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF AQUARIST ORGANIZATIONS With thanks to the financial assistance of Rolf C. Hagen, Inc., as a major sponsor, and financial contributions from Aquarium Systems, Inc. and Red Sea Fish pHarm Ltd., the ACN will soon release the International Directory of Aquarist Organizations. Thanks also to those aquarium societies and individuals and to Tetra Sales (USA) for providing mailing lists. Special thanks go to Bob and Rosie Clarke who, several years ago, compiled an International Directory for CAOAC - this was the foundation upon which the current directory was developed and updated. Work on the current directory has been carried out by Rob Huntley and Jare Sausaman. An order form is provided below. INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF AQUARIST ORGANIZATIONS - ORDER FORM Please send me ______ copies. Non-members pay $20 per copy = ______ ACN Members pay only $15 per copy = ______ Plus postage and handling: Canada ($2 per copy) = ______ U.S. ($4 per copy) = ______ International ($8 per copy) = ______ Sales Tax (Ontario Residents Only - 8%): Non-members add $1.76 per copy = ______ ACN members add $1.36 per copy = ______ I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE OF MONEY ORDER FOR ______ (Canadian or U.S. currency) Please send to: __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ Aquatic Conservation Network, 540 Roosevelt Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8 <20> 18/05/94 ag508 AQUATIC CONSERVATION NETWORK 1993 CORPORATE SPONSORS Aquarium Systems, Inc. Red Sea Fish pHarm Ltd. Rolf C. Hagen, Inc. 1993 AQUARIST SOCIETY SPONSORS Association Romande des Clubs Aquariophiles et Terrariophiles Capitol Aquarium Society Minnesota Aquarium Society 1993 INDIVIDUAL DONORS David Armitage Eric Bjornson William Edge Michael Florez David Forsyth Eizo Kimura Dr. Ang Kok-Jee Marian Lea Kenneth Nordby Allen Scher James Schroeder Osamu Someha Stephen Somermeyer Mike Zach NEW MEMBERS Alphonse Adite Texas A & M University Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries College Station Texas 77843-2258 U.S.A. David A. Ball Southern Colorado Aquarium Society 3640 Overton St. Colorado Springs CO 80910 U.S.A. Steven Beckwith Maine State Aquarist Society, Inc. P.O. Box 487 (Main St.) North Berwick Maine 03906-0487 U.S.A. Mike Buckle Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs 106 Trewartha Crescent Brampton Ontario L6Z 1X4 Canada Dr. J.A. Cambray Curator, Dept. of Ichthyology Albany Museum Somerset Street Grahamstown Cape Province 6140 South Africa John Clark 6899 Egypt Rd. Medina Ohio 44256 U.S.A. Tony Cotter Confederation of Aquarists 268 Hempshill Lane Bulwell Nottingham NG6 8PF England Ken Ealey Prairie Livebearer Organization 5407 19A Ave. Edmonton Alberta T6L 1L5 Canada David A. Forsyth 922 Bowery St. Iowa City Iowa 52240 U.S.A. Maxine Gorsline Greater Seattle Aquarium Society 3447 S. 162nd St. SeaTac WA 98188-3033 U.S.A. Henrik Hornhaver RARITAS/ICLA Skovengen 151 Kokkedal DK-2908 Denmark Dennis Hough 3626 Glenwood Springs Dr. Kingwood Texas 77345 U.S.A. Rob Huntley 540 Roosevelt Ave. Ottawa Ontario K2A 1Z8 Canada Ingrid M. Kaatz SUUN College Environ. Sci. & Forestry 800-30 Ivy Ridge Rd. Syracuse New York 13210 U.S.A. Dr. Paul V. Loiselle Curator of Freshwater Fishes The Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation Surf Ave. & West 8th Street Brooklyn New York 11224 U.S.A. A.W. Longacre 8931 Trio Street Juneau Alaska 99801 U.S.A. Minnesota Aquarium Society 3939 Homewood Avenue White Bear Lake Minnesota 55110 U.S.A. Allen Monroe Oregon Coast Aquarium, Inc. 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd. Newport Oregon 97365 U.S.A. Peter Newman Mini-Reef Society 55 Burleigh Road Frimley Camberley Surrey GU16 5EA England, U.K. Kenneth G. Nordby Minnesota Aquarium Society 3939 Homewood Avenue White Bear Lake Minnesota 55110 U.S.A. Bryan E. Pierce Senior Inland Fisheries Scientist South Australian Research and Devel. Inst. - Inland Waters Section GPO Box 1625 Adelaide SA 5001 Australia Shawn Prescott Red Sea Fish pHarm Ltd. 5 Harness Court, Apt. T-4 Baltimore Maryland 21208 U.S.A. Gordon Reid Curator-in-Chief North of England Zoological Society Chester Zoo Caughall Road Upton Chester CH2 1LH U.K. Stephen Somermeyer 6032 Orinoco Ave. Indianapolis IN 46227 U.S.A. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO Sally Van Camp, 923 Wadsworth St. Syracuse , New York 13208, U.S.A. or to Aquatic Conservation Network 540 Roosevelt Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 1Z8 The annual membership fee is $25 (Canadian of U.S. currency). ******* End of Vol. 2, No. 4 - AQUATIC SURVIVAL *******