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Wild caught ornamental fish: a perspective from the UK ornamental aquatic industry on the sustainability of aquatic organisms and livelihoods
Author(s) -
King Tracey A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.13900
Subject(s) - ornamental plant , biology , fishery , livelihood , sustainability , aquatic plant , invertebrate , aquatic ecosystem , aquatic animal , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , agriculture , macrophyte
The ornamental aquatic industry involves the global commercial trade of live aquatic organisms such as fish, invertebrates and plants. It comprises a range of businesses including collectors, breeders, exporters, importers and retailers. Together, these form a supply chain through which aquatic organisms pass from their point of origin to the end point e.g. , domestic aquaria and ponds. On a worldwide basis, the legal and legitimate ornamental aquatic trade is subject to regulation and monitoring throughout the majority of its supply chain. Approximately 90% of ornamental freshwater fish species traded are captive‐bred, but, due to their complex breeding cycles, 90–95% of ornamental marine fish species are wild‐caught. The ornamental aquatic industry and consumers therefore have a responsibility to ensure that wild‐caught species are sourced sustainably, legally and to good welfare standards. Such good practice should be considered a necessity for the longevity, not only of the ornamental aquatic industry, but of the livelihoods which depend on it and the future of ecosystems dependent on such communities.