Re: Species Conservation

[swaldron@slip.net (Steven J. Waldron)]

Doug,
Again I agree with your points, but I do have to stick up for conservation
efforts such as the one you describe for Madagascar. Of course the act of
removing a species from its natural habitat to an artificial one where it's
evolutionary continuance is limited to selective breeding, fish ponds and
trout chow (can't wait to see "Veil tailed Pachypanchax omalonotus") is
futile for the preservation of that species. Once a species habitat is
extinct, essentially so is that organism. However, we can not discount the
education factor of these efforts.  A lot of the world's threatened
freshwater tropical fisheries are so threatened by acts of human ignorance.
Witness the introduction of nile perch into Lake Victoria, tilapia into the
freshwater streams of Mexico, etc. etc. I recently spoke with Julio who
informed me that in amazonian Peru there has been efforts to farm tilapia
and goldfish. Can you imagine? The Amazon, arguably the world's most
productive freshwater fishery, and people are considering farming tilapia?
Conservation may not save every species but with some enlightenment and
education, we'll leave at least some raw material for Mother Nature's next
creative act. Hopefully, it won't be an adaptive radiation and species
flock of Rio Guapore Goldfish and Tocantins Tilapia.
- - Steve W.




>I for one am on the next comet out of here. (Really bad joke.) I didn't
>REALLY say we're doomed, just that change is inevitable. With all change we
>tend to focus initally on what we're losing and not what we're gaining. But
>to continue, thanks for the Aquatic Conservation Network link. Many pellets
>for thought in there from what I've read so far, however also exactly the
>problems I brought up. Note the attempts to "save" Madagascar cichlids. In
>summary they say the native environment is endangered but more importantly
>that the cichlids are being replaced by competitive continental species,
>and that this is essentially irreversible. Exact conclusion quotes are,
>"For this reason the survival in Madagascar of sizeable populations of
>various endemic species can only be achieved by captive or semi-captive
>breeding in ponds or other enclosures that can be kept free of competing
>species.", and, "The extremely endangered status of several endemic species
>of fish in Madagascar fully justifies the establishment of captive bred
>populations outside of the country as an ultimate safeguard against
>extinction." This is the ridiculous part I was talking about. Maintaining
>interesting species for hobbyists I'm all in favor of, but in the larger
>picture nature has taken its course for millions of years on this planet
>without us - and will continue to do so. Resistance is futile.
>
>I consider myself a conservationist. Recycle, conserve natural resources,
>don't pollute, educate (particularly Third World countries) and preserve
>critical habitats. But resist  "feel good" ecology. You're not smarter than
>Mother Nature.
>
>So you probably want to hear my opinions on wild caught fish now ...
>
>-Doug Brown
>debrown@kodak.com
>
>
>
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