>
> ----- The following addresses had delivery problems -----
>ACN-Lpinetree.org (unrecoverable error)
>
>Subject: Cyanide-Ammonia and the others
>Reply-To: bd268
>
>
>Bod Goldstein,
>That was an interesting reply to all of us. During my last trip to the
>Philippines, during which I was working with marine ornamentals fish
>collectors, I did gather some info that I'd like to share with all of
>you.
>
>The bad reputation that fish coming from the Philippines are having, is due
>not only to the fact that some are still cyanide caught, but also because
>of the poor handling techniques that fisherfolks and some exp[orters are
>practicing, add to the fact that the fish are hold for prolongated periods
>of time in conditions that are of considerable danger as:
>-Accute exposure to Ammonia
>-Low values of pH
>-Sudden increase of pH
>-Temperature drastic changes
>-Oxygen depletion
>-Prolongaded exposure to copper
>-High levels of phosphates
>-High levels of nitrates
>Other factors contributing to mortality include:
-Unsuitability of certain species to survive in captivity
-Imcompatibility of aquaria inhabitants
-Unbalanced diet
-Overfeeding
-Starvation
-Overcrowding
-Fish disease
-Poor aquarium management at every leel of the trade.
>All these factors are without doubt responsable for irreparable physiological
>damage that the fish suffer, they must be consider as responsable for
>unnecessary mortality which is evident only later. Fish under stress, even
>at a fairly stage of responding, may show decreased resistance to disease.
>
>The marine aquarium industry, as we see, has several major problems, and as
>a group they have unwilling to face, although some devoted individuals, some
>dealers an companies, are sensitive to them and aware of them. To date the
>crux is that the aquarium industry, including aquarium hobbyists, have not
>done their share.
>There are good solutions to each one of the problems, the cyanide problem has
> a solution training fishers to use nets and at the same time helping them to
>improve their livelihood. This is a positive action good for biodiversity,
>the collectors, the coral reef ecosystem, the hobby and business.
>
>Jaime Baquero
>Marine Biologist
>Ocean Voice International
>
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