The ecological impacts of our addiction

[ReefBuddha]

let's be pragmatic...

The marine ornamental trade is - in essence - a for-profit exploitation of a priceless natural resource to feed the superficial whims of consumer masses. We should not fool ourselves into thinking there is anything 'good' about this trade from the perspective of natural habitats.

Education is not a justifiable excuse for supporting the trade. There are plenty of less destructive sources of awareness like public aquariums, documentaries on television, etc.

Businesses involved in the trade are there for profit, not ethics. At the end of the day, business owners will exploit reef life to pay the rent, period. Many of them have to live in denial because they might have difficulty looking in the mirror if they chose to face the inconvenient realities of their chosen profession. No amount of denial, deception, or misinformation changes this reality.

we are all hypocrites by merely participating and supporting the marine ornamental trade. Humans often claim to cherish or value things when in reality they wish to possess and consequently exploit. The very least we can do is show our peers and the businesses we frequent that trade reform and sustainability are a high priority.

If the number of animals killed by this trade was an instantly updated number on the internet(that's an idea) we would all have trouble looking in the mirror and talking about the next fish or coral we can't wait to consume.

I myself have killed countless animals since my first salt water tank was set up in 1983. In 2005 I experienced a shift in perspective that has lead me to step back. I have not bought any reef life in a few years now, and cannot see doing so until I find a way to do it more responsibly, and in a way that gives back to the natural habitats we claim to cherish but obviously exploit.

Conservation and sustainability should be much more prominent subjects. Wouldn't it be better if your LFS was honest about its impact and chose to devote a portion of profits directly towards reef conservation efforts?

Every time you hit that checkout counter at the LFS or the checkout page on the internet, remind yourself of the uncomfortable realities of your behavior.