JoshO
Valuable Member
I've be acutely aware of the bleaching events for a number of years now. It's been something I've followed with fear and unease, and now after another mass event it's becoming increasingly clear that this is only going to get exponentially worse as our ocean temperatures rise.
What does that mean for us, reef hobbyists?
I've spent such a long period of time researching this hobby, and how to make it a success, and have now taken the leap into the saltwater world. But I can't help but think that in 10 years or so, much of that could be in vain. While there are people and companies out there that are doing their bit to try and culture corals in a way that isn't detrimental to reefs, it's obvious to see, with the hobby ever expanding, that this effort is likely not enough.
The global pandemic we are currently facing has further highlighted just how much we rely on the ocean to supply us with new frags and fish, just today I've seen a post on this forum about the potential for rising costs of corals due to the lack of shipping into the UK, I can't help but think this will be the case in all but those countries with reefs on their doorsteps.
I'm someone who also is an avid fly fisherman, and for years I've been paying my licence fees and encouraging catch and release to any other anglers who will listen. I spend a small period of each trip clearing rubbish left behind by the public and unfortunately other anglers, I still feel that this isn't enough. It does give me some hope, however, that anglers are becoming ever more vocal and passionate about the state of our rivers, and that this will ultimately lead to a positive outcome. I don't know that the same can be said for our hobby unfortunately.
While many of us are aware of what is happening in our oceans, I don't believe even we know the full extent.
Seeing companies like ORA doing their bit to increase the numbers of captive bred fish in the hobby is promising, but as for corals, the effort seems to be less intense.
It pains me to see so many hobbyists allowing their reefs to fall into a state of death and decay, and have nobody criticize them for doing so. Corals, fish and inverts are living beings, would we all be so forgiving if we saw people neglecting dogs or cats in this way? I'm not sure we would.
It's obvious that the problem is far greater than the hobby farming our oceans for new corals and fish, but even the smallest negative impact is a negative nonetheless. Do we all consciously try to reduce our carbon footprint to help slow global warming? Whilst many of us do small amounts when we can, I doubt (myself included) we are doing anywhere near enough.
I'd love to know some of your opinions on whether you think we are doing enough, and if not, what we can do to further benefit our coral reefs before they are totally wiped out?
What does that mean for us, reef hobbyists?
I've spent such a long period of time researching this hobby, and how to make it a success, and have now taken the leap into the saltwater world. But I can't help but think that in 10 years or so, much of that could be in vain. While there are people and companies out there that are doing their bit to try and culture corals in a way that isn't detrimental to reefs, it's obvious to see, with the hobby ever expanding, that this effort is likely not enough.
The global pandemic we are currently facing has further highlighted just how much we rely on the ocean to supply us with new frags and fish, just today I've seen a post on this forum about the potential for rising costs of corals due to the lack of shipping into the UK, I can't help but think this will be the case in all but those countries with reefs on their doorsteps.
I'm someone who also is an avid fly fisherman, and for years I've been paying my licence fees and encouraging catch and release to any other anglers who will listen. I spend a small period of each trip clearing rubbish left behind by the public and unfortunately other anglers, I still feel that this isn't enough. It does give me some hope, however, that anglers are becoming ever more vocal and passionate about the state of our rivers, and that this will ultimately lead to a positive outcome. I don't know that the same can be said for our hobby unfortunately.
While many of us are aware of what is happening in our oceans, I don't believe even we know the full extent.
Seeing companies like ORA doing their bit to increase the numbers of captive bred fish in the hobby is promising, but as for corals, the effort seems to be less intense.
It pains me to see so many hobbyists allowing their reefs to fall into a state of death and decay, and have nobody criticize them for doing so. Corals, fish and inverts are living beings, would we all be so forgiving if we saw people neglecting dogs or cats in this way? I'm not sure we would.
It's obvious that the problem is far greater than the hobby farming our oceans for new corals and fish, but even the smallest negative impact is a negative nonetheless. Do we all consciously try to reduce our carbon footprint to help slow global warming? Whilst many of us do small amounts when we can, I doubt (myself included) we are doing anywhere near enough.
I'd love to know some of your opinions on whether you think we are doing enough, and if not, what we can do to further benefit our coral reefs before they are totally wiped out?
