In recognition of the growth of Aquarium Fisheries' impact in empowering sustainable aquarium fisheries and aquaculture, the Association of Zoos and Aquarium's Marine Fishes Taxon Advisory Group (MFTAG) has inducted us into its membership as a Highlighted Program. We are honored to be invited into this consequential organization driving impactful conservation initiatives among public aquaria and zoos.
AZA's TAGs examine the sustainability and conservation needs of taxa and develop recommendations for population management and conservation based upon the needs of the species and AZA-accredited institutions.
On Collections Sustainability
The MFTAG is keenly interested in programs that increase the sustainability of aquarium collections sourced from the wild through improved fisheries management.
Aquarium Fisheries works with fisheries agencies of source locales on policy; highlighting model programs for others to emulate, and offering recommendations to improve fisheries management. We have conducted such an analysis for stakeholders of the Florida Marine Life Fishery, and have launched a project in partnership with the John G. Shedd Aquarium and Indonesian fisheries conservation NGO partners LINI and Rare to advance marine aquarium fisheries management alongside fishers, traders, and fisheries management agencies in Indonesia--the 2nd largest source country of marine aquarium fishes imported into the U.S. We call this program IndoReefFish.
You can learn more about our work on marine aquarium fisheries policy here.
On Aquaculture Development
The MFTAG also highlights programs that explore sustainable aquaculture.
Likewise, aquaculture research and development (R&D) is another of Aquarium Fisheries' three pillars of approach. We conduct R&D to build aquaculture capacity of aquaria and zoos for aquarium fish species vulnerable to fishing pressure in the wild. We've advanced this MFTAG initiative by developing broodstock management recommendations and prioritizing species for aquaculture R&D in partnership with Mystic Aquarium; and in building the Marine Fish Egg Catalog alongside New England Aquarium, the California Academy of Sciences, Roger Williams University, and numerous AZA member institutions.
You can learn more about our aquaculture initiatives here.
Our current projects mentioned here have emerged from Aquarium Fisheries' longstanding membership in AZA's Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee (ACSC). As our membership in this committee has produced meaningful initiatives to advance sustainable aquatic collections for public aquaria and zoos; we are equally enthusiastic to engage with the MFTAG by applying our collective expertise and talents to help the MFTAG do the same, in service of our shared goals.
'Til next time!
