+close+up+in+anemone.jpg)
There is a report (http://environment.independent.co.uk/nature/article3280461.ece) that the actual fish providing the inspiration for the Disney film 'Finding Nemo' and its anemone 'home' are going to be left in peace by commercial operators at Keppel Island (North Queensland, Australia). This sounds, at first sight, like an unequivocal good news story but the fish and the anemone are both threatened by coral bleaching (one presumed side-effect/indicator of global warming) of the Great Barrier Reef and the locals appear to have become concerned that further collecting of this anthropomorphised fish might well damage the attractiveness of snorkeling holidays in the region (an important source of revenue). This is also only one relatively small sector of the reef. Benefits to 'Nemo' consequently appear to be side effects of commercial considerations.
2 comments:
Dear Paul
The moratorium on the collection of clownfish and anemones in the Keppels is the first manifestation of an industry strategy to deal with the effects of global climate change. No other fishermans organisation has implemented such a strategy. Whilst we are feeling our way along and anticipate that the strategy will mature over the next year or so, it is a very positive development. It is a development that resource managers will eventually insist upon from all industry so we are at the cutting edge. The benefits to Nemo are immediate but the wider implications are that we have an operational response plan for events such as coral bleaching, cyclones and coastal flooding that are designed to minimise the stress on stressed environments. Many of these responses are common sense and are already in practice. However, we have voluntarily made those responses mandatory with noncompliance attracting sanctions. Its the first tiny step that we anticipate will flow over into other fisheries and beyond.
It is good that there has been some movement in this area (and it is nice to see a responsible attitude adopted) but the point I am trying to make is that actions well outside the control of the local community might well negate the actions of the local folk. That is NOT an argument against trying to do the right thing in the circumstances surrounding you! I hope, like yourself, that the attitude will spread -I am just a bit more pessimistic about it (probably a character flaw).
Post a Comment