STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLAN A statement of operational standards and climate change contingency planning For Pro-vision Reef members who are license holders in the: enter Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery and the Proudly supported by: Queensland Coral Fishery and the Coral Sea Fishery (Aquarium Collection) EFF E CTIVE 2009 Navigation: Foreword | Preface | Contents | Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Bibliography | Attachment 1 | 2 Cover Photo: Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon). Photo by Fenton Walsh, Northern Barrier Marinelife, Cairns QLD Australia. Copyright © Pro-vision Reef Inc 2009 This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from Pro-vision Reef Inc. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to: President Pro-vision Reef Inc Email: [email protected] This publication is available online at www.pro-visionreef.org First published 2009 by: Pro-vision Reef Inc ABN: 57 442 161 812 PO Box 5N Cairns North QLD Australia 4870 National Library of Australia Cataloguing in Publication entry: Pro-vision Reef: Stewardship Action Plan. A Statement of Operational Standards and Climate Change Contingency Planning. ISBN: 978-0-646-51212-9 Author: Ryan Donnelly, Strategic Projects Manager, Cairns Marine Pty Ltd Design: Andreas Wagner, www.coolplanetdesign.com.au The author acknowledges the guidance and input from the Pro-vision Reef committee: Lyle Squire Jnr, Fenton Walsh, Don Gilson and Ros Paterson; and the support and contribution from Margie Atkinson from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; Tara Smith and Brigid Kerrigan from Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries; and Josh Davis from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. Sincerest thanks to contributors of photographic material: Richard Fitzpatrick, [email protected]; Jurgen Freund, freundimages@ gmail.com; Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; Russell Kelley, [email protected]; Kirsten Michalek-Wagner, [email protected]; Ros Paterson, [email protected]; John Rumney, [email protected]; Roger Steene; Lyle Squire Jnr, [email protected]; Fenton Walsh, [email protected]; Phil Woodhead, [email protected] Signatories to this Stewardship Action Plan fulfil a compulsory condition of Pro-vision Reef membership. Members have exclusive use of the Copyright © Stewardship Action Plan and the Trademark Registered Pro-vision Reef Inc logo under license from Pro-vision Reef Inc. Printed on recycled paper by Lotsa Printing, Cairns Navigation: Foreword | Preface | Contents | Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Bibliography | Attachment 1 | 2 FOREWORD Celine Cousteau F o r e w o r d Whether you are a collector of marine species, a visitor The collective choice to unite efforts for the protection to an aquarium, or a diver who enjoys seeing marine life of the marine system as well as the parallel interests of underwater, the Pro-vision Reef Stewardship Action Plan the benefiting organizations shows a significant maturing is pertinent. within the industry. Creating a Plan that is replicable in other fisheries in Australia and abroad further extends the reach of This Stewardship Action Plan has been established in order this guide, making it a universal tool. The creation of this Plan to protect the fragile marine ecosystem relevant to aquarium reveals Australia’s aquarium fisheries as exemplary leaders fisheries while also enabling those involved in the aquarium in the sustainable collection, handling, and distribution of commerce to benefit from its riches in a thoughtful and aquarium species. sustainable way. The Stewardship Action Plan has been created by the industry, for the industry and membership In order for us all to continue to enjoy and care for the is voluntary, highlighting that those dependent on the marine species we so love to see in the aquariums and in the collection of marine species are aware of their responsibility wild, it is imperative that we become the guardians of these to create better practices. In addition, those buying species. The Pro-vision Reef Stewardship Action Plan ensures aquarium species for their own or public use can be assured that we will do so. that the specimens they are acquiring through members of Pro-vision Reef have been collected in accordance with this Stewardship Action Plan. Self-governed and regulated, accepting the penalties Celine Cousteau for improper collection of marine species, members demonstrate that the aquarium supply industry on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Coral Sea is accountable for its impact and responsibility towards the ecosystem affected. Furthermore, the inclusion of a contingency plan as it relates to climate change and it’s impact on the aquarium fisheries resources in the ocean, point to a global understanding of our connection to and impact on the oceans. I Navigation: Foreword | Preface | Contents | Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Bibliography | Attachment 1 | 2 P RE P r e f a c e F ACE Lyle Squire Jnr [ President, Pro-vision Reef Inc Director, Cairns Marine Pty Ltd ] Marine aquarium collections have grown in popularity in This Stewardship Action Plan is developed to ensure that recent years. Access to efficient low maintenance systems, licensed participants in the Queensland-based fisheries primarily from China, have assisted home hobbyists to that supply the marine aquarium industry adhere to a more easily venture from freshwater to marine collections. uniform operational standard; and that operators have clear The diversity of species available is phenomenal and the contingency plans in place to respond to catastrophic events creatures are spectacular. Displays can be complemented linked to global climate change. The Stewardship Action with living coral, invertebrates and crustaceans in a dramatic Plan will ensure that Australia’s international reputation mini replication of reef environments. for environmental performance remains strong; and will engender community and market confidence in the But where do the specimens come from? How does a Queensland marine aquarium supply industry. hobbyist or a visitor to a public aquarium know whether he or she is inadvertently contributing to the degradation of Communities are the ultimate environmental performance habitat or endangering wild populations, even perpetuating auditors. Producers are expected to demonstrate that, the exploitation of remote coastal communities? How can in collecting or harvesting a community asset, they do customers be really sure that a particular specimen has so wisely and sustainably. In Queensland, there exists a arrived at their door with a minimal environmental footprint? comprehensive legislative and management framework to meet national standards prescribed by Australia’s landmark In Australia, most specimens for display are sourced from environmental legislation, the Environment Protection & the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. This is a region of Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Importantly, in developing international significance for biodiversity and the relatively this Stewardship Action Plan, collectors demonstrate their pristine condition of reefs and other habitats. It is also a eagerness to take these environmental safeguards and set wonder of the natural world that is subject to world-class the ecological sustainability benchmark even higher and multiple award-winning management. proactively address a range of emerging issues, such as climate change, in a transparent and auditable manner. Scientists predict that global climate change will result in an increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, many There is a substantial wider educational and conservation of which impact directly on coral reefs. It is incumbent upon benefit to a sustainable aquarium supply industry and marine industry to plan for such events and to develop a this Stewardship Action Plan, in conjunction with existing guide for operators that minimises further environmental fisheries and protected areas management and legislation impact during these times. will ensure that today’s supply does not diminish the natural integrity of our precious marine environment. Lyle Squire Jnr President II Navigation: Foreword | Preface | Contents | Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Bibliography | Attachment 1 | 2 Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................................. I C o n t e n t s Preface .................................................................................................................................................................................... II Part 1 – The Aquarium Supply Industry ................................................................................ 2 1.1 Demand .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.1 Home Hobbyists .................................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.2 Public Aquaria ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Supply ....................................................................................................................................................................................