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Hawaii Aquarium Trade Lecture At Pacific Whale Foundation
September 29, 2011
Next time you feed Mr. Fishy, feel guilty: "Many people are surprised to learn that 98 percent of all saltwater aquarium animals are wild-caught–and that over 30 million fish are plucked from coral reefs worldwide each year for the aquarium trade," says Drew Sulock, coordinator for the Pacific Whale Foundation's "Making Waves" lecture series. Tonight (Sept. 29), the series continues with a free talk on "Hawaii's Aquarium Trade," with guest speaker Rene Umberger, a local activist and reef advocate who will present an informative slide show. Since 1983, Umberger has logged over 10,000 dives in Maui waters as a dive instructor and enthusiast, and on the rare occasion she plays landlubber, she's focused on creating educational material and environmental standards for marine tourism, as well as developing a system for cleaning local reefs that have been smothered by thousands of pounds of abandoned fishing gear. "Collection of wildlife from Hawaii's reefs to fill the demand created by hobby aquarists causes significant environmental harm [also causing the animals] stress, injury and death." To learn more about this and other lectures (the series continues every third Thursday of the month), call 249-8811 ext. 1 or visit pacificwhale.org + forthefishes.org