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Aquarium & Pet Trade

Aquarium & Pet Trade

Aquarium and Pet Trade involves the preservation and exhibition of aquatic species for public view or individual hobbies, and the sale of animals (NAICS 2007).

CMap

Accidental by-catch is damage or harvest of non-target species, including fish or marine vertebrates, by fishing gear while collecting targeted species. Aquarium and Pet Trade involves the preservation and exhibition of aquatic species for public view or individual hobbies, and the sale of animals. Aquarium Stock is aquatic life that humans collect for sale to commercial aquariums or individual hobbyists. Biological Addition refers to anthropogenic inputs of a biological nature into the reef ecosystem, including artificial habitat, domestic animal waste, supplemental feeding, and escape or release of non-native species. Biological Harvest is the collection of living things from the ecosystem for recreation, consumption, or sale of marine products. Cultural policies are responses that impact the distribution and functioning of cultural sectors, including tourism, recreation, education, and social organization. Cultural services are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreational opportunities, aesthetic experiences, sense of place, and educational and research opportunities. Culture sectors contribute to the social, emotional, and intellectual well-being of the community. Economic markets and policies can influence financing and insurance, as well as drive consumer demand for certain types of goods and services. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems . Environmental education refers to organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function and, particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and ecosystems in order to live sustainably. The Escape and Release of Non-Natives pertains to the introduction of non-native and potentially invasive species into the coral reef ecosystem. Infrastructural policies are responses, including zoning, codes, or regulations, that impact the distribution and functioning of socio-economic sectors that provide infrastructure. Live collection is the collection of colorful or unique species from marine environments, particularly for the marine ornamental industry (e.g., aquariums). Manufacturing and trade regulations are laws and policies enacted to control  production, distribution, and sale of goods and services. Marine products are non-food goods derived from reefs that promote human well-being (e.g, aquarium  fish or ornamental resources) and human health (e.g., pharmaceuticals and cosmetics). The Reef Ecosystem includes a suite of abiotic variables that form the physical and chemical environment. Pressures are human activities that create stress on the environment. Provisioning services are the products or ecosystem goods obtained from ecosystems, including seafood, genetic and biochemical resources, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources, and water resources. Aesthetic & recreational value pertains to the value derived from the visual beauty and recreational opportunities provided by a natural ecosystem, including an assemblage of diverse, healthy, colorful, or unique species. The state of the Reef Ecosystem is the condition, in terms of quantity and quality, of the abiotic and biotic components including physical, chemical, and biological variables. Reef Life is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the biological components of the coral reef ecosystem. Resource use management pertains to responses to regulate or limit contact activities that may directly impact coastal species through harvesting or physical damage. Responses are actions taken by groups or individuals in society and government to prevent, compensate, ameliorate or adapt to changes in Ecosystem Services or their perceived value. Rock production is the processes by which calcified coral skeletons can be harvested to form rocks and building blocks. Socio-Economic Drivers include the sectors that fulfill human needs for Food & Raw Materials, Water, Shelter, Health, Culture, and Security, and the Infrastructure that supports the sectors. Tourism & Recreation sectors operate facilities and provide services for the varied cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of residents and tourists.

CMap Description

The aquarium trade directly benefits from reef ecosystem services, particularly the provisioning of desirable fish and invertebrate species, sand or aragonite, and live rock that are collected for sale, as well as the aesthetic value of reefs that contribute to consumer drive to establish and maintain aquaria. Exotic aquarium species, such as lion fish, may accidentally be released into reef ecosystems where they can compete with or consume native species. Trade regulations and environmental education may reduce the sale of exotic or endangered species, and reduce the risk of accidental releases. Blast fishing and cyanide fishing are methods used to stun reef fish in order to collect them, which causes damage to the surrounding coral reefs.

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