Why is Coral Propagation Important?

For my senior project I have chosen to research and study coral propagation. I chose this project, because I hope to pursue a degree in wildlife conservation and management at Humboldt State University after graduating high school and I wanted to work on a project that would allow me to enjoy the natural beauty of the ocean while at the same time, help me learn a process that may be beneficial to my future education and career. Coral husbandry and propagation is important, because it helps one to understand the specific parameters at which specific corals thrive (e.g. water temperature, salinity, pH, etc.), how they reproduce, how they feed, the rate at which they grow, lighting needs, and how readily they can be farmed in captivity. One may ask why this is important. Because reefs around the world have at one time or another suffered massive devastation, sometimes from natural disasters and other times at the hands of humanity. A NASA study concluded that an entire reef off the Mentawai Islands died in 1997 due to a red tide, which resulted from a combination of two natural events (Lindsey, 2004). In Bali, another reef system was completely destroyed due to the use of poison and explosive fishing practices (Hilbertz & Goreau, 2001). Coral propagation and coral farming can help reestablish such devastated reefs and restore their natural beauty, in turn restoring habitat for the many fish and other creatures that inhabit such systems. This in turn helps to reestablish the balance of the ecosystem. In the end, a healthy reef system will support fisheries that employ sustainable fishing practices and may improve the local economy through increased tourism. I would like to thank all those who have donated their time, knowledge, and equipment in support of my senior project, with a special thank you to Mr. Julian Sprung, author of Corals: A Quick Reference Guide, among others, and president of Two Little Fishies, Inc., who helped me understand why this project is important. References: http://www.twolittlefishies.com/ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/CoralDeath/ http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/offshore-islands/2009/06/01/210351/Black-death.htm http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/abstract_files/icrs2008-001475.pdf http://www.coral.noaa.gov/cleo/coral_bleaching.shtml http://www.globalcoral.org/pemuteran_coral_reef_restoration.htm

06 January, 2011

New Year :)

the far left is a margarita snail, top right is a blueberry gorgonian frag, middle is the feather duster, middle right is a cerith snail, and bottom left is one of the clownfish :D
well it has been a while since I posted-sorry everyone!! There's a lot that has happened since the last update! We have 2 percula clownfish living in our tank- as well as three mollies (the fourth died this morning D: ) and last week- surprise! - I found 10 mollie babies! They are now living in our quarantine tank as the clownfish seemed to think they would make a tasty snack. Recently we purchased a small blue gorgonian coral, as well as two feather dusters from Aquarium Concepts. One of the dusters split and the large piece dropped from the tube, while the other is happily enjoying his new home :). The pulsating zinnia has split into 6 seperate pieces now, and the pom pom zinnia has let of multiple growths as well. The green mushroom we purchased as one of our starter corals dissapeared within a week of purchase, but has (Gasp!) reappeared and anchored itself to an old snail shell. I recently discovered a small anemone in the tank-turns out it is a ball anemone. These anemone's are interesting because they have a toxin on the end of their tentacles similar to that of a jellyfish. So no touching this guy ;) (although I'm assuming it is unlikely he would have enough toxin to harm a human, I would rather not take any chances!) There is a large pink growth which we believe is a type of macro-algae (the best guess some of our contacts have made based on descriptions and pictures). We also have large amounts of baby snails roaming the tank now :). Well I suppose that is all for now-happy late Christmas and New Year!
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