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The 2nd Symposium on Indonesia’s Marine Ornamental Fishery 2010
Enjoying the Marine Aquarium Hobby to Support Coral Reef Conservation
The LINI Foundation invites the marine aquarium community, which consists of marine aquarium enthusiasts, hobbyists, traders and government, to jointly develop a sustainable marine ornamental fishery in Indonesia, by helping to conserve the places where these resources are collected.
BACKGROUND
When the economic crisis hit the world, it seemed to have relatively little impact on those who enjoy the hobby of keeping the fishes and other marine animals in aquariums. In fact, the desire to maintain aquariums continues to grow in Indonesia and in other countries. In the United States, it is the second most popular hobby after photography.
Over the last two decades, Indonesia has been one of the most important exporting countries to trade organisms for marine , aquariums because of the huge variety of species, and the high volumes available. According to InfoFish 2008, the value of Indonesian ornamental fishes exported in 2006 reached USD 8.9 million (VK Dey in Kurup Eds, 2008). The export value was below the value of exports received by the neighboring countries, like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, which have much smaller areas of territorial waters and limited natural resources.
Indonesia’s regional marine ornamental fishery utilization covers the region from Sabang island in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, North Sumatra, to Biak Numfor island in Papua. The unregulated and unsupervised utilization of ornamental fisheries resources is one of the causes of damage to coral reefs in Indonesia, partly because of the use of poisonous chemicals, and through the use of other destructive fishing techniques. Unregulated utilization also results in population declines of certain species, because fish are caught in very high numbers to compensate for deaths and rejections caused by poor capture and handling techniques. In addition, transport methods and conditions have caused further stock mortalities.
One has to realize that the capture and sale of ornamental fishes is often the only source of income for poor coastal communities, who generally do not have other options for alternative livelihoods. After 25 years of trade, the persistence of poor methods and equipment being used by collectors, together with the low prices paid for their catches, reflects a lack of awareness by the buyers about the prevailing conditions in the places from which all of their stocks come.
Efforts need to be urgently implemented to prevent further damage caused to marine ecosystems by the ornamental aquarium trade. Marine aquarium enthusiasts and traders can play an active, significant role in helping to make sure that the utilization of marine life for marine aquariums becomes less destructive and more sustainable. To find out more about how and what you can do, please come and join us at our second symposium, scheduled to be held in Bali on November 23, 2010.
The aims of the symposium are:
- to develop a greater sense of understanding about the condition of marine ornamental fisheries and their ecosystems.
- to share information related to marine aquarium activities that are environmentally friendly.
- to find out up-to-date information about aquaculture activities for fishes and other marine life.
- to receive the latest information on conservation activities that are currently being carried out in order to maintain a sustainable marine ornamental fishery.
- to develop new ideas on how to improve the marine ornamentals trade.
The Participants
Participants are expected to include:
1. Observers, traders and Hobbyists
2. School and university students
3. Researchers, Lecturers
4. Government agencies
5. Ornamental marine fisheries sector employers,
Time and Venue:
The symposium will be held at the Werdapura Hotel, Jl. Danau Tamblingan, Sanur, Bali, on 23 November 2010.
Organizer:
LINI Foundation (see below for contact details)
Language. The event will be held in English and Indonesian with trasnslations as necessary.
The symposium will be divided into 2 sessions: .
- Presentations – the organizer has organized international and national speakers who will present their papers on the following themes: ‘Aquaculture in Indonesia for the marine ornamental trade’, and ‘Invasive species in the marine ornamental trade’. There will also be a panel discussion with experts on the challenges of developing better coral mariculture in Indonesia for the aquarium trade.
- Exhibitions – One exhibition will showcase the work of marine ornamental collectors in their efforts to rehabilitate the reefs. Second, there will be an exhibition of underwater photos.
Field Trip
We plan to hold a one-day field trip visiting ornamental fishing locations in North Bali on 24 November 2010. During the field trip, you can see how ornamental fish are caught by trained fishermen. You can also dive (or snorkel) in the protected zone which has been initiated by the local community there, and observe the community –based coral reef rehabilitation efforts by the local fishermen. The field trip will be held if there is sufficient interest from the participants. We plan to depart from Sanur at 8am and return by 5pm.
Registration
Registration can be made via phone or email, and by filling out the registration form (attached). Registration will be closed on 13 November, which is 10 days prior to the symposium.
The symposium fee for the public is Rp 250.000/person, and Rp 150,000/person for students. The fee includes a symposium kit, snacks and lunch.
The field trip fee is Rp 300,000,- including transport, basic equipment rental, snacks and lunch. If you bring your own equipment (E.g. snorkel, mask, fins), the cost is Rp 250.000,-
Information and registration forms can also be obtained on our website www.lini.or.id
Confirmation of participants can be made by email (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) or fax to LINI Foundation (0361 286806) by specifying the date and amount of fees to be transferred (see below), along with the registration forms that have been filled in.
Payments for symposium and field trip can be made through bank transfer to our Bank Mandiri account on behalf of Yayasan Alam Indonesia with the account number as follows:
Bank Mandiri Cabang Sanur, Bali
Account Name : Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari
Account Number : 145-00-0606248-9
Swifth Code : BMRIIDJA
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