[Aquatic Survival]
Volume 5, Number 1 - March 1996
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Contents

  1. Pursuing the Sustainable Development of Wild Caught Ornamental Fishes in the Middle Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil
  2. Message From the General Manager
  3. Letters
  4. Draft Policy Regarding Controlled Propagation of Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act
  5. An Expanded Role for Zoo- and Aquarium-Based Conservation
  6. Update on the Endangered African Anabantid Sandelia bainsii, the Eastern Cape Rocky
  7. Election Results
  8. Report on the Results of an Ichthyological Survey of the Winam Gulf Region of Lake Victoria, Kenya
  9. Project Piaba - Update
  10. Notebook
  11. Help Needed Now for Lake Nawampassa
  12. Acknowledgements
        

Pursuing the Sustainable Development of Wild Caught
Ornamental Fishes in the Middle Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil

        
by Gregory Prang

As a Ph.D. student in anthropology at Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan, I have been studying the ornamental fish industry since 1993. In 1994 I was contracted by the Universidade do Amazonas to work with the "Project Piaba" (ornamental fish) which has been developed by Dr. Ning Labbish Chao, an ichthyologist. [See Dr. Chao's article later in this issue]. My role in the project is to conduct research on the socioeconomy of the ornamental fishery of the middle Rio Negro. Together with students and the support of several private and public entities, we are investigating the issue of sustainable harvest of ornamental fish in the region.

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is a difficult achievement because the goals of commerce are rarely compatible with ecosystemic principles (Bennett, 1990: 436). In order to test the concept of sustainable yields, both ecological and human factors (the struggle for survival and the realization of social and cultural goals) must be viewed as a single system, a "socionatural system." Socionatural systems are composed of interacting social institutions which present possibilities and constraints that effect human decisions that in turn alter those institutions as well as the environment. The consequence of socionatural systems is what Bennett (1990: 437) calls "ecological transition." Ecological transition refers to the transformation of the natural environment according to human needs, wants and profit motives. Thus, we might say that the sustainable harvest of wild caught ornamental fishes is promoted or constrained by the interaction of collectors, intermediaries, exporters, importers, hobbyists, regulators, environmentalists, etc., and their various goals.

If the ornamental fish trade is to continue to grow and prosper, its participants, from collectors to hobbyists, must understand the socioeconomic, and environmental costs and benefits that prevail at local, regional and international levels. Sustainable development of ornamental fish will be obtained when all parties learn to balance environmental, social and economic imperatives. With this in mind, I would like to share some of my findings regarding the collection phase of the trade in the middle Rio Negro region of Brazil.

The Ornamental Fishery of the Middle Rio Negro

The heart of the ornamental fish trade in the state of Amazonas is the municipality of Barcelos (pop. 12,000; area 122,490 km2), located 240 miles upriver from the capital, Manaus. The economy of Barcelos is largely based on the extraction of products found in the forest and river systems. The capture of ornamental fishes provides the principle economic activity for the municipality Barcelos, Amazonas. The trade contributes at least 60% of the income revenue in the municipality. Although I have not concluded research on the issue, at least 300 hundred families are reported to be involved in the trade of ornamental fish (Anonymous, 1994), and many others, possibly 80% (Eisenstadt, 1992:2), have some economic relation to the trade. Other extractive resources in the region include Brazil nuts, palm hearts and piassaba palm fibers.

Riverine communities depend on extractive industries to obtain basic food items such as rice, beans, manioc, coffee, sugar, salt, milk, etc. The socioeconomic organization of the extractive economy is based principally on kinship, compadria (relationships created among parents in the Catholic ritual of baptism) and patron/client relations. In extractive economies the patron is generally an intermediary. The real key to the distribution of consumer goods in the interior of Barcelos is the patron/intermediary. It is he/she that supplies the communities with much needed goods which are unavailable so far from regional centers such as Manaus.

Over the last decade the prices paid for extractive products such as balata (Mandikara bindenata and M. huberi), rubber, Brazil nuts and sorva (Couma sp.) dropped significantly. Although there is still some activity in sorva and Brazil nuts, fibers from the piassaba palm (Leopoldinia piassaba) and ornamental fishes are now the only really viable extractive products. Further, the price of piassaba fell by nearly 50% during the last year. Thus, the intermediary within the trade of ornamental fish now plays an increasingly significant role in the local economy.

The ornamental fishery of the middle Rio Negro has been productive without any evidence of devastating environmental destruction for the last fifty years. However, the status of the extractive industries, as well as human population growth in the region, is causing a significant increase in the number of ornamental fishers and intermediaries. This increase, combined with a seemingly high rate of mortality and environmental factors, may place pressure on the fish stocks. Further, these problems may lead to increased exploitation of other forest and aquatic resources, as well as cause migration to already overcrowded urban centers.

Natural Factors

The severe drought during the first half of 1995 may reveal some of the intricacies of the interaction of environmental and socioeconomic variables. The drought had some negative effects on the fishery of the middle Rio Negro (see Chao, 1995:4). Generally, the rainy season arrives in April, at which time fish migrate upstream and into the flooded forests. With the expansion of their aquatic habitat, fishes enjoy higher nutrient levels, better water quality, and less crowded conditions. All of these conditions lead to healthier fish, and higher reproduction levels. However, the drought was prolonged and many fish died in dried up streams and lakes, while those that lived had to wait to take advantage of the optimal conditions of the flooded forest. Consequently, the breeding season was delayed. For the first three months of the fishing season (August-October) the fishers and intermediaries complained that the yield, and size of cardinal tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi) was below normal. They claimed that the reason was because the young fish had not had sufficient time to feed and grow in the flooded forest.

Larger fish are more healthy and are less likely to succumb to disease and die in transport, and therefore sell for higher prices than do small ones. The fishers and intermediaries lamented about the size of the cardinals. Depending on the purchase arrangements between exporters and intermediaries, prices paid to intermediaries for cardinals range between $5.00-10.00/1,000. Smaller cardinals were gaining a price of only $3.00-8.00/1,000, while fishers in the riverine communities were only receiving $1.50-5.00/1,000.

My field observations indicate that, by November of 1995, the fishing stocks in at least two rivers, Rio Cuarés and Rio Cuini, were so low as to induce certain intermediaries to move to other less affected fishing grounds. This has lead to tension between them and the intermediaries who have traditionally operated in these lesser affected areas. Additionally, the presence of more intermediaries seems to be correlated with higher levels of capture in these areas. It is possible that the drought was, at least in part, responsible for this outcome. If this assumption is true, then it may be that when climatic conditions are unfavorable over fishing is more probable. It needs to be proven whether fishing grounds are unproductive under more normal climatic conditions. If so, fishery management strategies must be devised to lessen the effects on stocks and alleviate socioeconomic conflict.

Wild Fish Stocks

Although some researchers have already proposed that some stocks are diminishing (Bayley e Petrere 1989, and Andrews, 1990 & 1993), they do not provide any concrete data. Their warnings may be based on knowledge of the fact that, in 1988, fishers in the regions of the Rio Jufariz in Barcelos and Rio Teá of Santa Isabel do Rio Negro solicited the Brazilian environmental protection agency (SUDEPE, now IBAMA) to prohibit the fishing of discus in those localities for one year due to a decline in discus (Symphysodon sp.) populations. Additionally, in 1989, the president of the ornamental fish exporters association in Manaus (ACEPOAM), Sebastião Corrêa, proposed closing down the rivers Jufariz, Cuarés, and Aiuana for two years to preserve the stocks of cardinal tetras (see Anonymous, 1989); this never happened. He did succeed in prohibiting the fishing of cardinals between May and July, and their exportation in June & July.

Often overlooked in research on sustainable development in general, and the live ornamental fish trade specifically, is the economic law of "supply and demand". The ornamental fisheries and the variety of fishes sought are controlled by the international consumer demand for ornamental fishes. Exporters in Manaus only ask their fishers to deliver quantities and varieties of fish for which they have requests.

There is no evidence that discus populations are in danger at this time. In fact, during the latter part of the 1994-1995 fishing season, and during November of 1995, many fisherman had large stocks of discus on hand but could not find buyers (see Chao, 1995:4).

Over the last three decades (1976-1993) the export of cardinal tetras from Amazonas has remained in the range of 12-19 million per year. Although fishers and intermediaries lament that it now takes a week to capture the same number of fish that once took one day about thirty years ago, it may be that a stable demand for the cardinal tetra is not been great enough to carry it to extinction. Further, fishers are quick to point out that the number of fish lost during the collection and transport phases has improved greatly since that time, largely because of improved capture and handling procedures, and fish health remedies. They recount that up to 100% losses were not uncommon during the decade of the sixties.

Is Aquaculture the Solution?

There are certain environmentalists who would like to see the capture and marketing of wild caught fishes replaced by captive breeding. What they fail to recognize is social and economic consequences either of this action would cause in the region. If aquaculture is a necessary measure, it should be developed in regions where the fishes have long sustained the population, such as Barcelos.

The cardinal tetra is marked as an attractive candidate for captive breeding. The cardinal accounts for 70-80% of the total capture of ornamental fish in the middle Rio Negro. The loss of this fish in the trade would leave many riverine people with few economic alternatives. Just as sad is the fact that many of the trade participants and their families would lose a "way of life;" a fact that many fishers are quick to point out. Numerous fishers have explained to me that they have been fishing for cardinals all of their lives. They have raised families, and aided and employed their fellow citizens; all with the profits gained from fishing for cardinals.

What to do?

Fishing stock depletion, or the displacement of fishing with aquaculture outside of the region would have unknown, possibly serious, social, economic and environmental repercussions. Fishers in the riverine communities may seek out other ways of procuring basic food items or flee to Manaus which already suffers from poverty and severe underemployment. Intermediaries may become desperate and increase the cost of goods while encouraging economic activities that may have more severe environmental consequences. Economic alternatives to ornamental fishing include: gold mining which contaminates the river system with mercury; cattle raising which requires large-scale deforestation in many cases; uncontrolled lumbering; and the exploitation of aquatic and forest fauna, many of which are already threatened such as the manatee and various turtle species.

The interaction between social, economic and environmental variables is a crucial consideration in understanding the ornamental fishery of the middle Rio Negro. Given the lack of other feasible, alternative economic endeavors in an economy that emphasizes extraction of aquatic and forest resources, measures must be taken that ensure the economic viability and environmental preservation of the region.

Conclusion

A sustainable ornamental fishery is essentially the only current alternative to more economically, or environmentally destructive activities. More research on the socioeconomy, and the biodiversity and ecosystems of the middle Rio Negro will provide the necessary information in determining the future sustainability of the fishery. The research conducted by Project Piaba will be instrumental in answering the following questions: What integrative management strategy will accommodate the adaptive strategies of the parties that influence, or are influenced by the trade in ornamental fish? Which management strategy will be the most profitable and, at the same time, least destructive to the environment and the fishes therein? What are the political, social and economic constraints to the implementation of such a management strategy? What is the role of consumer demand in sustainable development? With concrete knowledge of fish diversity, abundance, distribution and habitats, and the socioeconomic contexts of those involved in the trade, Project Piaba will propose a variety of solutions and their possible consequences regarding local marketing strategies, legislative prudence and environmental preservation.

References Cited
  1. Anonymous. 1989. ACEPOAM Recomenda ao IBAMA Normatização da Pesca Ornamental. A Crítica, Manaus, AM, Brazil: September 13.
  2. Anonymous. 1994. Pesca Ornamental: Deputado Quer Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa. A Crítica, Manaus, AM, Brazil: May 21.
  3. Bennett, John W. 1990. Ecosystems, Environmentalism, Resource Conservation, and Anthropological Research. In The Ecosystem Approach in Anthropology: From Concept to Practice. Emilio Moran, ed. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press. pp. 435-457.
  4. Ning Labbish. 1995. Ornamental Fish Resources of Amazonia and Aquatic Conservation, Part 2: Protection and Socio-economic Factors Ornamental Fish International Journal 13:4-5.
  5. Eisenstadt, Todd A. 1992. The Rio Negro Basin's Aquarium Fish Trade: Harbinger of Sustainable Development, or "One that Got Away?" Unpublished Manuscript. Fundação Vitória Amazônica. Manaus, Amazonas.
Gregory Prang is a Visiting Professor in the Departamento de Ciênicas Pesqueiras/FCA, Universidade do Amazonas, Estrado de Contorno, Campus Universitário, 69.077, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil.
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Message from the General Manager



What am I doing here anyway?

Now there's an open-ended question if ever I heard one. Interpretations can range anywhere from a theologian's "Why do I exist?", to a time-manager's "What priority should I give to reading this Aquatic Survival?"

Well ... your religious beliefs are none of my business; neither is how you manage your time. But you have paid $25 to join the ACN and that is my business. So .... what are you doing here anyway?

I thought of stopping there - short, curt and enough said if you can read between the lines. I would probably lose half the membership in one swoop with such a facetious approach.

Let's explore some middle ground.

Generally speaking, we are all concerned about the environment and the future of the planet and its inhabitants. We all have a love of fish and aquatic life. We all recognize that these "favourite distractions" are actually "partners in life". These "partners" cannot help themselves and they have few defenders other than us. We support the concept of the Aquatic Conservation Network. We have brought it into existence to promote a "do-good" attitude while endeavouring to enlist workers and money to achieve some meaningful results. We have brought to the ACN a considerable level of support in membership; we have achieved strong interest from professional aquarists, many of whom have joined with us; and we have enabled the ACN to receive good exposure through media and society newsletters. This all bodes well for us taking a few more steps to thwart or mitigate some environmental losses, even though many losses, despite our efforts, are inevitable.

I said "few more steps". The word "few" is totally ambiguous; it is clearly a function of money, warm bodies, and how the two are applied. This isn't a call to say "you owe it to your club" or "we can't survive without you". Almost every aquarium society president or newsletter editor resorts to this approach at one time or another. But we can feel quite positive about the ground we have already covered, so why shower our successes with negatives. Further, it is unjust to assume that everyone can do more. Your $25 membership fee may be the only commitment you can make right now, and you should feel satisfied with this contribution. Sometimes there can be a lot to life, just to survive, without trying to find time, money or stress-free head space to help others, even if you wanted to. It is equally unjust to imply that few people are trying. I fully recognize that a lot of people are working very hard in this field, in a diverse number of areas and with various affiliations.

But the problems are still too many, in fact mind-boggling. Efforts to address aquatic conservation issues depend on people like you and me, regardless of whether we give a lot or a little, and regardless of whether the energy is placed behind ACN or through some other channel. If you are satisfied that you are doing your share, or at least as much as life permits you right now, then I applaud you. If you're not sure, ... then perhaps it is time get up off the couch. Please, give it some thought.

The ACN is a platform that has come about in response to concerned aquarists giving lip-service to conservation in hobby literature. Clearly, the magnitude of the ACN's accomplishments will be closely tied to the time and resource inputs of the members and sponsors, as well as our collective ability to shape the organization into an effective and efficient operation. This platform is essentially a launching pad for bigger and better things, provided there is the will.

Prior to the ACN's existence, there were concerns that there were few or no windows of opportunity for aquarists to do anything about the issues. I still hear those views voiced from time to time. To me, it continues to be just lip-service. To those people I suggest "Stop waiting for someone else to do it. Think more like a human doing, and less like a human being".

Rob Huntley

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Letters

 Public Education and Aquatic Conservation
I have been involved, one way or another, with the Aquatic Conservation Network since 1993. I served on the Board of Directors for 2 years and I am currently the Madagascar Project coordinator. Since becoming involved with the ACN, I have come to realize that it is imperative that, if we and other conservation organizations are to be ultimately successful with our efforts to preserve threatened and endangered wildlife and ecosystems, we must educate the public about why conservation is so important. It is especially vital to reach people who have not already taken an interest on their own.

As aquarium hobbyists, conservation professionals and other interested parties, we already see the need for protecting our environment and the biodiversity that goes with it. In one way or another, we were all exposed to the wonders of nature in a way that sparked our personal interest. My personal opinion is that the vast majority of people who do not show an active interest in conservation have just not been turned on to the idea of conserving wildlife and ecosystems in a way that has meaning and relevance to them.

Having said all this, I would like to communicate with other people, both within and outside of the ACN, who are also interested in using public education as a means of getting people interested in and involved with conservation. I am especially interested in speaking with people working with children. I feel that we must work to positively influence children towards a respect for nature and the environment to insure that, as adults, they will want to make responsible choices in their lives as to how they personally interact with the world.

So far, my personal efforts at educating the public have largely focused on working with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service to develop a one day workshop for teachers called "Fish Conservation in the Classroom." We have given the workshop twice, so far, and attendance has totalled approximately 30 people. Teachers, 4H volunteers, conservation organization members as well as state fish and game docents have all been among the attendees.

The program starts with an overview of the conservation situation of fish around the world. A slideshow using a mix of photographs and graphics illustrates the variety of ways that man has impacted aquatic environments. Also included in the workshop are demonstrations of classroom activities and a resource table with books, magazines, posters, study guides and a variety of other materials that might help a teacher be more successful in keeping and using an aquarium in the classroom.

Another part of the workshop is a presentation by Matt Poole of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on their "Adopt a Salmon Family" program. This program lasts an entire school year and takes elementary school children through the process of stripping salmon and fertilizing their eggs, puts a refrigerated incubator with salmon fingerlings into the classroom and then finishes up with the children and fish being taken, at the proper time, to a release site somewhere on the Merrimack River watershed where the fish are released. Throughout the school year, the children pursue classroom activities involving the salmon and the Fish and Wildlife people provide a monthly newsletter.

Finally, a demonstration of aquarium setup and maintenance is given. Teachers are also given an introduction to the various types of equipment that they will encounter as they get involved with aquarium care.

Besides this workshop, I have also been breeding pupfish for the Cyprinodon and Related Genera Study and Maintenance Group. I have been distributing excess fish not needed by other study group members to teachers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. An article about work being done on these fish by students at Pentucket High School in Massachusetts appeared in a previous issue of Aquatic Survival.

I would like to invite teachers, youth volunteers and other people interested in aquatic conservation education to work together on developing ideas on how to spread the conservation message. I would be happy to work one-on-one with anyone. Or maybe a group of us could set up an informal network to kick around some ideas. Please feel free to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mark Rosenqvist
9 Grape Street
Newmarket NH 03857, U.S.A.
Tel: (603) 659-6893 (home) or (603) 926-1650 (work)
Fax: (603) 926-5278 (work)
Email: pmqvist@aol.com

Correction - Sea Grant Traveling Trunk

Thank you very much for including information on our Sea Grant Traveling Trunk education project. The article is great. FYI Minnesota Sea Grant's Traveling Trunk is complementary to ours, but is a separate trunk focusing on many Aquatic Exotics.

Unfortunately my email address is incorrect. Could you please include a notice of correction in the next Bulletin? The correct email address is r-goettel@uiuc.edu

Thank you very much and really appreciate your writeup!

Robin G. Goettel
Communications Coordinator
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program
University of Illinois
65 Mumford Hall
1301 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, U.S.A.

ACN-L Mentioned in "24 hrs in cyberspace"

[This note went to Peter Unmack (list manager for ACN-L) and was forwarded. rh]

I just thought you'd like to know that the Aquatic Conservation Network is mentioned in Vice President Gore's essay on Cyberspace and the Environment. His staff contacted me for basic background on environmental uses of the 'net, and I happened to mention how useful it was to have been able to turn to the list for info on East African rivers.

I mentioned to him the URL for your website, and he also hot-linked that into the essay (so look for lots of hits!) Hope that was ok. I didn't know beforehand that he was going to quote it.

The URL for "24 hours" is http://www.cyber24.com/home.html, and VP Gore's essay is http://www.cyber24.com/essay/earthwatch_essay.html.

Thanks for running the list --

Cheers,

Pat Jellison (jellison@ceps.nasm.edu)

Protection of Brown Trout

I found your name through the Aquatic Conservation Network Home Page and would like to request your assistance.

I am with the Montgomery County Planning Department in Maryland and we are trying to protect a brown trout population in a suburban area. We are in the process of acquiring large tracts of land for conservation parks and are limiting impervious surfaces in the watershed to 10 percent.

We also are in the process of trying to determine if there are land uses that may threaten the brown trout population. In order to do this we are trying to identify the effects of chemical and nutrient runoff from uses such as golf courses, landscape nurseries, and lawns. Are you aware of any studies that address these issues or can you refer me to any individuals/organizations that may be able to help?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Bob Spalding
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Community Planning Division
8787 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: (301) 495-4566
Email: spalding@mncppc.state.md.us

Conservation in the Red Sea

Let me introduce you with The Red Sea Conservation Alliance, in hope that you will contact us, and become one of our members.

The Red Sea Conservation Alliance is an international organization committed to promote environmentally friendly development along the Red Sea and help protect its rich marine life.

The alliance brings together non governmental organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, scientists and private people, from around the world, who work together to protect the natural ecosystem and to create an environmentally friendly economy in the region.

Currently, the alliances's efforts focus on the northern part of the Red Sea and on the Gulf of Aqaba.

The Red Sea Conservation Alliance is registered (in N.Y.) as a non-profit organization.

Membership is free, though a contribution is always welcome.

The Red Sea Conservation Alliance
151 West, 74 St., Suite 5D
New York, N.Y. 10023, U.S.A.
Tel: (212) 875-8822; Fax: (212) 875-1954
Email: bokerone@aol.com

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Draft Policy Regarding Controlled Propagation of Species Listed Under the Endangered Species Act



[This Request for Public Comment appeared in the Federal Register, Vol. 61, No. 26, Wed. Feb. 7, 1996, page 4716. ACN-L was used to alert those people subscribing to our electronic service. Anyone reading this summary in Aquatic Survival will have missed the review period for submitting comments (April 8, 1996). Nevertheless, this information is included in case there is opportunity for interested persons to follow up in any way. rh]

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), referred to jointly as the "Services", propose to issue policy that will address the role of controlled propagation in the conservation and recovery of species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended)(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)(ESA). The proposed policy is intended to assist the Services by providing guidance and establishing consistency with respect to activities in which the controlled propagation of a listed species may be implemented as a component of a species' recovery strategy, ensuring smooth transitions between various phases of species conservation efforts within both agencies, and ensuring prudent and effective use of limited funding resources. The proposed policy sanctions the controlled propagation of listed species when recommended in an approved recovery plan and supported by an approved genetics management plan. Controlled propagation may also be approved by FWS's Regional directors, or, in the case of the NMFS, by the Assistant Administrator as necessary, to conduct recovery related research, to maintain refugia populations, and to rescue species population segments at risk of imminent extinction in order to prevent the loss of essential genetic viability.

Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be sent to the Chief, Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 452, Arlington, Virginia 22203, U.S.A. Tel: (703) 358-2171
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An Expanded Role for Zoo- and Aquarium-Based Conservation



by Michael Hutchins


The recent publication of "End of the Ark?" by Fiona Sundquist in International Wildlife (November/December, 1995) has stimulated several questions among our members [AZA members, rh]. Here's more background that may put the article into perspective:

In the late 1970's and early 1980's, zoos and aquariums began to perceive themselves as modern Noah's Arks, protecting endangered animals against the rising flood of species extinctions. The basic concept was that threatened and endangered animals could be held and bred in captivity for some unspecified length of time (100-200 years) and then reintroduced into protected and restored habitats (i.e., once human populations had been stabilized or reduced and the threat to species had been abated).

Following the establishment of the AZA's Species Survival Plan (SSP) in 1981, the Noah's Ark concept soon became the underlying foundation of zoo- and aquarium-based conservation. The concept played an important role in the evolution of zoo philosophy, as it promoted conservation as a goal at a time when recreation was the primary focus. More recently, however, rapidly increasing numbers of endangered species, combined with sobering appraisals of limited zoo capacity, an apparent lack of habitat for reintroduction and the technical difficulties and expense of reintroduction, have raised questions about the Noah's Ark approach. As a result, many zoological institutions are adopting a much broader view of their conservation responsibilities. The AZA Board of Directors recognized this evolution when they formed the Field Conservation Committee in 1993 - the first of its kind for any regional zoo association.

This approach recognizes additional contributions of zoos and aquariums to wildlife and ecosystem conservation. These roles include public education, professional training and technology transfer, development of relevant technologies (e.g., biotelemetry, veterinary techniques), ecotourism, scientific research, and fund-raising to support field conservation. These approaches greatly expand the options by which AZA members can contribute to the overall effort. Of course, each institution is free to choose its own path based on its special strengths and opportunities.

Does this new focus on alternative approaches mean that zoos and aquariums should abandon their captive breeding programs and redirect their resources exclusively toward field conservation? Certainly not. As the links between zoos, aquariums and field conservation grow, the number of scientifically-managed captive breeding programs, such as SSPs, should increase. Captive breeding for reintroduction is not a panacea for the endangered species problem. However, it is still the best, and in fact the only, alternative for species that have become extinct in the wild or for those whose populations have become so small or fragmented that they cannot survive without human intervention. Furthermore, as effective leaders in wildlife and ecosystem conservation, zoos and aquariums know they must manage the species in their care responsibly. This goal can only be accomplished through cooperative, scientifically-managed captive breeding programs, such as the SSP. Without the efficient management of captive populations and the educational power of live animals on display, zoos and aquariums could not effectively pursue their broader conservation mission.

Reprinted from the AZA Communiqué, December 1995, page 15 with permission of the author . Michael Hutchins is the Director of Conservation and Science, American Zoo and Aquarium Association, 7970-D Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda MD 20814, U.S.A. Tel: (301) 907-7777; Fax: (301) 907-2980. Email: MHutch2845@aol.com


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Update on the Endangered African Anabantid Sandelia bainsii, the Eastern Cape Rocky



by Dr. Jim Cambray


The Eastern Cape Rocky Conservation Project continues to produce positive results. Several new sanctuaries have been set aside for Sandelia bainsii. These were stocked with fish reared at the Albany Museum. School groups were involved in the stocking program of Grey Dam just outside of Grahamstown on the Kowie River. A number of Grahamstown people were also present including the new mayor Mr. Mzukisi Mpahlwa who put the first Sandelia bainsii into the reserve in April 1995. The groups of children really enjoyed stocking this endangered fish species. I asked each child to name the fish they had in their net before releasing it. Of course many were named Rocky 1, 2, 3 etc. but some even came out with names such as Michelangelo, several sports stars such as the rugby player Jona Loma and the president of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela, was also popular. The fish I released was called Chief Sandile after the Gaika Chief from which the genus named Sandelia is derived. The Grahamstown Municipality are thanked for setting aside the area, called Grey Reservoir, for the reserve. A special thank you to Kevin Bates, Director of Parks and Forests in Grahamstown, for his help with the project. In the near future there will be a sign at the reserve with the drawing done by Dave Voorvelt on it. On September 1, 1995, international ARBOR day, we not only planted trees at the sanctuary BUT also stocked some indigenous fish into the water. In this case we were helped by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Professor Kadir Asmal, and the Premier of the Eastern Cape Province, Mr. Ray Mhlaba as well as by our Mayor.

A local farmer, Mr. Wendell Muir, has allowed us to stock several of his farm dams with captive bred Sandelia bainsii. It is of interest that these reservoirs are only several kilometres above the Blaauwkrantz Reserve which was the first sanctuary but now is suffering from water abstraction and pollution. These reservoirs are on a small tributary which feeds into the Bloukrans River. They therefore do not have the pollution or excessive water removal of the main river channel. The water quality is good and there is a healthy population of the chubbyhead barbs (Barbus anoplus) which are one of the natural prey items of the Rocky. The reservoirs are well vegetated with floating heart (Nymphoides indica). These reservoirs probably provide the best sanctuary to date for Sandelia bainsii. One year old captive bred fish were released into one of these reservoirs in November 1995.

The captive breeding programme has been successful again this season and the fish presently being reared at the Albany Museum will be released into the sanctuary areas.

I was fortunate enough to video the spawning sequence of the Rocky a number of times. Just prior to spawning the male turns a beautiful black with a slight bluish/purple tinge. This highlights the white markings on the dorsal, anal and caudal fins.


Funding for the project remains a big problem and any contributions will be welcome. It is important that we can now establish a good captive propagation system to save this large anabantid from extinction. This could ideally be funded by the aquarium trade.

Save the Sandelia bainsii campaign helpers and sponsors

We are very grateful that the following people and organisations have supported this campaign by either giving of their time, expertise, products or money:


The filter equipment from EHEIM has been used extensively to keep the breeding fish and the young fish healthy. The TETRA water kits and the equipment from WTW have been used to test water quality not only in the aquaria but also in the wild.

There is a pamphlet on the project which can be ordered from me. I can be contacted at the following addresses: Dr. Jim Cambray, Albany Museum, Somerset Street, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa. Fax: 27 461 22398; Phone: 27 461 22312; Email: amjc@giraffe.ru.ac.za.

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Election Results



The results of the election for the 1996 Board of Directors of the ACN are as follows:

        Elected to the Board of Directors for two year terms:

        Continuing in office for second year of term:

        Replacing Directors who resigned in 1996 to complete the second year of term:

Although the year is moving along, the President and Vice-President appointments have not yet been made.

BOD Appointed Officers continuing in 1996:

GM Appointed Officers continuing in 1996: