The Other Side of the Banggai Cardinalfish Story

[Ret Talbot]

James Lawrence, editor of CORAL Magazine, gave me the opportunity to go to the supply side of the industry for a different perspective on the Banggai story that has so dominated the industry press since Eric Borneman's MACNA presentation on the topic. If you would like to discuss my interview with Gayatri Reksodihardjo of Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari (LINI), this is the place to do it. Reksodihardjo believes a boycott on wild-caught Banggai cardinalfish is the wrong move at present, and, for a variety of reasons, she believes that a sustainable fishery for Banggai cardinalfish is not only possible, but important. This is the first article in a major publication to look at the issue from the supply side, and I applaud CORAL for its commitment to unbiased, objective journalism. I'm sure, however, it will invite comment...so bring it on! Let's discuss...

[mpedersen]

LOL Ret, we've discussed this one in the past, so I won't rehash our old chats. I'm excited even more now to get this issue in the mail...I just can't wait! I'll be interested to hear what you have to say, because in every aspect, the fact that this species was listed as endangered by the IUCN is alarming.

The next alarming thing is that lately, the size of Banggais showing up in my LFSs has dropped to "Dime sized". You might think those are CB fish, but no, everytime I ask they are Wild Caught. So what's the story...has the fishery shifted to catching juveniles over broodstock as a means of sustainable harvest, or is it that they are no longer able to collect enough of the large fish, and are now starting to collect smaller, less desirable fish, because that's all they're finding?

While I understand and fully support the need for people to value the reefs in order to preserve them, and I thus do strongly support sustainable initiatives, this is a species where we need the CB alternative desperately. Perhaps an outright ban on WC fish is too much (and breeders NEED WC stock of course) but I think we need to drastically reduce harvest based on the hard numbers, and the price of WC fish needs to rise substantially (and perhaps most importantly, those collecting them should be paid a lot more than a nickle per fish).

Again, I have yet to read the article - I'm really looking forward to it!

Matt

[mpedersen]

Ret, you really need to see my "Captive Bred Fish & You" presentation. That *might* be the one I'm giving at IMAC West...not sure which one yet

(Edit - also need to add in Richard Ross's talk about Tonga and Kevin Kohen's about the supply chain)

Matt

[Ret Talbot]

Thanks, Matt. I shoud preface this by saying that, as you know, I have urged caution regarding the Banggai cardinalfish in numerous blog entries and articles. While not callling for outright regulation (a ban), I have supported grassroots efforts to not support the trade in wild-caught Banggais until we have more data. For example, I worked with Blue Zoo Aquatics back in the day to establish their CARE inititaive--http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/resources.asp?show=41. So please understand that I am not advocating everyone to go out and buy cheap wild-caught Banggais.

What has alarmed me is that the marine aquarium press has only approached this major story from one side, and that seems irresponsible. As aquarists, we need an unbiased, objective press just like any other group of people with a vested interest in an industry (or a country, for that matter...lol). I am excited about this piece in CORAL because it is the first time that a major publication will look at both sides of the issue. I think it's important to educate the average aquarist about the supply side and supply-side issues that so rarely are addressed.

We should be alarmed by the Banggai's IUCN listing, and we shouldn't feel secure about the fact that CITES declined the proposal. But we should also realize that there are MANY, MANY, MANY other issues that the marine aquarium industry needs to address if it is to truly be a sustainable industry on the right side of conservation. The Banngai has always been sexy--that's why it graced the covers of magazines and books when it was "re-discovered" in the 90s, and it's why it is back on covers, although with a very different message. I fear, however, that the barrage of one-sided articles that have been published are giving the impression that this is THE issue, and if we fix this, we can all go back to our happy little hobby and ignore all the supply side issues we have been conveniently sweeping under the rug.

Nothing could be further from the truth...

[Ret Talbot]

Ret, you really need to see my "Captive Bred Fish & You" presentation. That *might* be the one I'm giving at IMAC West...not sure which one yet

(Edit - also need to add in Richard Ross's talk about Tonga and Kevin Kohen's about the supply chain)

Matt

I am indeed all for captive breeding! I just don't think it's an all or nothing issue. I think we can have a robust and sustainable industry dependent on a mix of captive bred and wild-caught animals. This industry has the potential to do a lot of good throughout impoverished island nations, but it needs to be done right, and the way we get there begins, IMHO, with education.

[Fish Friend]

Great interview. I'd like to hear more from her. I imagine you'll be in some people's crosshairs for it but I loved it! Thanx

[mpedersen]

Ret, it was a very interesting article to see the problem as viewed from the home country. I'll have to re-read again for sure, but my first impressions were one of both understanding but also of a certain triviality to the situation. To be reading that Indonesia's stance is that more research needs to be done - somewhat of a "well, let's wait and see" approach - is discouraging for sure. The views expressed (not by the author, but within the interview) certainly seemed to throw a lot of the responsibility for this problem back onto the importers/consumers....i.e. to say that "we're the ones who created the demand". The stance put forward really seems to suggest that what will most likely happen is that things will have to get a lot worse before things really change. I'm dismayed that a 90% population drop, as estimated by Dr. Vagelli's work, is completely ignored. I get the unsettling feeling that several local populations of this species may have to disappear before REAL change will occur, a sentiment that others have already put forth recently.

I'll certainly have to put in at least another 2 or 3 readings to offer up some concrete arguments and citations. It's a very well written article and again, it is truly something desperately needed. We DO need to hear what the country of origin is doing about this problem. I think what was conveyed is certainly open to interpretation as I've tried to convey above...for me, I didn't find much (if any) comfort in the words of Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley. I truly had a difficult time trying to figure out her real position, and some of the dates and stats she cites don't really add up.

Again, a valuable contribution to the debate Ret. I'm curious, how was the article put together? Did you have multiple phone conversations with Reksodihardjo-Lilley? What were the challenges in putting this piece together? And perhaps Ret, since this was largely an interview piece, I'm curious to hear how the information changed you own personal stance on the Banggai Cardinalfish issue?