I think most of us who keep marine aquaria do not agree with the above sentiment. It is not enough to not break the law in the pursuit of the marine aquarium hobby. First of all, there is no law about the ethical treatment of animals to which I am responsible, but few, if any, of us would suggest that justifies inhumane husbandry practices.
Most of us approach the hobby as something more than a hobby. Some of us turn it into a profession by writing about it or breeding animals to sell, but even when we are not earning money from the hobby, we still tend to come at it with a heightened sense of responsibility. We consider it an obligation to read up on the newest husbandry techniques, and we observe our animals with a scientist’s eye. Yes, while it is not the law, most of us are responsible aquarists.
But what about the interface of hobby and industry? What does it mean to be a responsible hobbyist there? Most aquarists I know will not support a local fish store or online retailer of marine livestock that clearly mistreats the animals and appears, at best, shady. But is this what it means to be a responsible hobbyist when it comes to purchasing livestock? Or should we hold ourselves to a higher standard?
The most unethical operation can have the slickest website. The most heinous retailer can have the most beautiful brick-and-mortar store front. Healthy animals can be (and, unfortunately, are) obtained through unsavory (even illegal) channels. There is one Pacific Island nation at present where fish have been collected at the expense of human life. That’s right—collectors have died at the hands of greedy exporters who forced these novice divers to dive too deep, too often and too quickly in pursuit of a small fish that often sells for less than $100.
Have you bought that fish? Wait, you say. There is no way for me to know, is there?
The fish was probably exported to LAX for a wholesaler who may or may not have known the unethical character of the exporter. After quarantine, the fish was probably then shipped domestically, with many other animals, to a local fish store where the owner almost certainly did not know the way the fish was collected. In the tank at the local fish store, the fish looks healthy. You buy it. Does that make you irresponsible?
As hobbyists, we sometimes forget to look behind the curtain, but I would argue that part of being a responsible hobbyist is doing just that. It’s not always easy to do, but understanding the chain of custody for the animals we purchase is something we all should strive to do. Unfortunately, we simply can’t trust that everyone in this industry is in it for the right reasons, and while other accountability plans (e.g. certification) are ongoing, for most of us right now, it really comes down to taking the initiative and taking responsibility.
So what does this look like? While there are some very specific questions you can ask your retailer about the chain of custody (I’ll cover some of those in a future blog entry), the most important thing you can do is have the conversation. Don’t be afraid to ask the retailer where the animals were collected, what collection techniques are being used, and from which importer they buy (unless they buy direct). If the retailer is not conversant in the chain of custody regarding their own animals, that may be a red flag. If the retailer is not willing to find out or share the information you are requesting, that should sound an alarm bell.
Since the SaltwaterSense Blog's home is Saltwaterfish.com, it seems only fair to ask Scott (the owner of Saltwaterfish.com) about Saltwaterfish.com's animals. "We are the importer, wholesaler and retailer combined," says Scott. In short, Saltwaterfish.com buys direct from fishing villages that employ Saltwaterfish.com's protocols, and then they sell direct to their customers. Want to know more? Check out theQuality and Sustainability Video on the Saltwaterfish.com homepage.
As hobbyists, we have purchasing power, and, as responsible aquarists, we can use that purchasing power to build a more responsible industry.










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