New research has generated the first global estimate of the number of fish and invertebrates within the Marine Aquarium Trade and discovered that every year, an estimated 55 million organisms are sold. Worth $2.15bn at retail, it places the industry on par with global fisheries, such as tuna, in terms of economic significance.
The paper, published in Science Advances, estimates there are currently over 8,000 retailers globally and 6.7 million marine hobbyists. This number is expected to increase to 45 million by 2100 based on population increases and as countries increase their wealth.
However, scientists warn the aquarium trade is at a crossroads forced by threats from global climate change and other stressors.
Lead author, Professor Gordon Watson from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Biological Sciences, said, “We know that MAT puts stress on key habitats, but it can also help stimulate enthusiasm for marine conservation, and it is a valuable source of income for many communities. Aquariums are a great way to educate people about how critical coral reefs are to a healthy and productive planet. The Marine Aquarium Trade is a hugely valuable industry that has the leverage to generate change, providing a framework for fishers and governments to protect reefs, and as a result the communities that rely on them,” added Professor Watson. “But data gaps are amplifying demands for an international ban on the trade. Our study goes some way to fill in these gray areas.”
Despite a growing awareness of the environmental impacts of the MAT, the authors warn if nothing changes it will transform into an aquaculture-dominated industry. This would see species farmed away from the reefs and associated coastal communities who rely on them to sustain their economy, or moving to more destructive methods of fishing.
Professor Watson said, “The trade finds itself at a crossroads with near-future governance decisions being critical for its long-term future. These choices can be distilled into a ‘business-as-usual’ approach or a ‘MAT positive’ one.”
The study has outlined a number of ways the MAT can become more sustainable:
- Species stock assessment of those most at risk and put in stock management
- Address mortality in the chain of custody
- Support local coral reef protection and restoration programs
- Governance structures needed, similar systems to tuna
- Successful introduction of the Fairtrade/MSC certification-style system
The paper concludes by saying a ‘MAT-positive’ future is imaginable, but requires real action on climate change, evidence-based management, consumer education, sustainable practice incentivization, and over-exploitation assessments to ensure that the MAT becomes a ‘force-for-good’ and paradigm of sustainable coral reef fisheries.
More information: Gordon J. Watson et al, Can the global marine aquarium trade (MAT) be a model for sustainable coral reef fisheries?, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh4942
Journal information: Science Advances
