Keynote Abstracts
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Rising Seas and Ocean Acidification:
The Significance for the Global Oceans John Englander Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Climate Change is making the sea warmer, changing the acidity, and adding vast amounts of fresh meltwater -- raising sea level and altering ocean currents. Oceanographer John Englander explains the big picture of change with compelling visuals and stories. He believes that leadership for aquariums in public education, research, and conservation is more important than ever, and more sensitive. Our rapidly changing ocean planet requires a frequent re-evaluation of programming and messages considering the potential impact on the public and on public policy. |
Going, Going... Coming Back? Fish and Fisheries at the Crossroads
Dr. Boris Worm (Presented by William Cheung) Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Using the latest data and discoveries from fisheries science, this talk will highlight both challenges and solutions for the conservation of fish species at a global scale. It will be shown that globally speaking, fisheries are at a critical juncture, where we have a real opportunity to transform to a sustainable seafood production model. Education and engagement of a broad sector of society is a necessary prerequisite for these changes to occur. Scientists and aquaria need to work hand in hand, to achieve these important objectives. Some consequences of business-as-usual versus transformative practices will be highlighted. |
Full Abstract
Fishes as broadly defined are the most specious vertebrate group, by conservative estimate numbering c. 33 000 species. Although free-standing fresh waters comprise only .05% of the earth’s hydrosphere, they are home to 48% of described fish species. Given that the effectively insular nature of freshwater biotopes renders them particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic degradation, it is hardly surprising that freshwater fishes are disproportionately represented in the tally of species known to have disappeared over the past century or presently at serious risk of extinction. The I.U.C.N. recognized 2263 species of freshwater fish as Critically Endangered or Endangered. Its alarming size notwithstanding, this number significantly underestimates the actual number of endangered freshwater fishes, as the conservation status of most species remains to be determined.. Habitat loss due to unsustainable exploitation of groundwater in desert regions, dam construction, mining and deforestation in more mesic regions and the impact of invasive exotic species throughout the world are the principal factors driving this impending extinction tsunami. While the preservation of viable habitat is the preferred method of assuring the survival of threatened species, political and economic realities preclude the timely implementation of this strategy in most highly biodiverse regions. Captive breeding represents the only viable means of assuring the near-term survival of a significant number of these threatened fishes. The husbandry expertise and oft-proclaimed conservation mission of public aquaria as broadly defined would suggest that they are obvious candidates for a leading role in such efforts. The current situation in North America suggests that reality is otherwise. Institutional participation in the Lake Victoria Cichlid Species Survival Plan, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ only formally constituted aquatic conservation program, has declined from 31 in 1993 to 10 in 2016. Notwithstanding the modest resources such undertakings require, efforts to establish comparable programs for endangered North American desert and Malagasy fishes have foundered due to lack of institutional participation. This lack of commitment to a proven means of saving endangered species from extinction calls into question the oft-proclaimed commitment of public aquaria and zoos to the preservation of global biodiversity. While it hardly excuses the industry’s failure in this regard, the scope of the threat to freshwater fishes is such that even the total commitment of institutional resources world-wide would be insufficient to the task of saving a significant percentage of the world’s endangered freshwater fishes. This objective can only be accomplished by tapping into the expertise and resources that both serious aquarium hobbyists and the ornamental fish industry can bring to the effort and harmonizing captive breeding programs with in situ conservation programs in range states. Public aquariums are potentially well placed to coordinate such efforts. However, before they can credibly position themselves to assume such a role, they must demonstrate their conservation bona fides by committing significant resources to existing captive breeding efforts and broadening the scope of such initiatives to include the fish communities of other threatened freshwater biomes. |
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Coral Reefs in the 21st Century:
Reasons for Both Optimism and Despair Dr. James Guest Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
For decades the warning bells have been sounding that coral reefs are increasingly being degraded by human activities. The decline began centuries ago, but the rate of devastation has dramatically increased in the last few decades. The combined effects of coastal land use change, destructive fishing and global climate change have led to many reefs shifting away from diverse, coral dominated, structurally complex habitats. The prognosis for coral reefs is highly uncertain but there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. Some reefs appear remarkably resilient and are able to recover from major disturbances much faster than predicted. Furthermore, evidence is emerging that some corals have an underappreciated capacity to adapt to a changing climate. There has also been a dramatic increase into solution driven research, with multi-disciplinary groups keenly focused on developing and testing techniques to reverse the global decline in reef health. |
Adapt or Perish:
Amphibian Conservation in a Rapidly-Changing Landscape Dr. Jennifer Pramuk, Woodland Park Zoo Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The amphibian conservation realm is rife with change and significant challenges. As such, projects are best handled using an adaptive management strategy, suffused with optimism. It could be argued that in this field there is one constant variable: insufficient resources for effectively managing the magnitude of global amphibian decline. New and particularly daunting challenges facing amphibian survival include the newly-discovered salamander chytridiomycosis (Bsal); insufficient governmental policies for addressing disease mitigation and trade in threatened species, and a perennial lack of funding for ectotherm conservation relative to efforts for “charismatic” warm-blooded species. A current overview of global amphibian conservation efforts is provided with examples highlighted from the author’s first-hand experience with anuran conservation. Tools for adaptively managing amphibian conservation programs, such as the One Plan Approach are discussed. Given new challenges facing amphibians such as climate change, novel emerging pathogens, and unregulated trade, a concerted, global plan dedicated to amphibian conservation is needed including government-led initiatives, effective fundraising, and a “triage” approach toward protecting areas supporting the highest biodiversity and endemism. |
Ocean Pollution and Ocean Plastics
Dr. Peter Ross, The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Pollution of the world’s oceans is one of those topics that makes most people want to bury their heads in the sand. With as many as 250,000 chemicals on the global market, and 1,000 new ones available every year, the tasks facing environmental scientists, natural resource managers and regulators is daunting. Certain chemicals have achieved notoriety because of the effects of their release on unwitting populations of humans and wildlife. This list includes organic mercury which was responsible for the contamination of fish in Minimata Bay in Japan and the poisoning of the local human population, the widespread extirpation of aquatic birds due to DDT-associated eggshell thinning, the disruption of endocrine systems in pinnipeds and cetaceans by industrial PCBs, and the feminization of male fish in freshwater rivers by estrogenic sewage effluent. In all of these cases, studies of aquatic invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals helped guide the design of solution-oriented practices. The end result has been dramatic declines in the levels of these nefarious contaminants and consequent improvement in the health of aquatic species and those people who depend on them. But while aquatic toxicologists have long studied the effects of chemicals on the health of biota, there are increasing concerns about the breakdown of plastics into tiny particles referred to as microplastics. This ‘structural pollutant’ can suffocate, lacerate, impede feeding or artificially satiate individuals. With these microplastics (<5 mm) coming from a multitude of sources, including the breakdown of packaging, beverage containers, toys, textiles and furnishings, the world has a chance to re-think its plastic economy and create an after-use market for plastic packaging and products. Creative and focused scientific research to document source, transport, fate and effects of microplastics in the world’s aquatic ecosystems is needed to inform solutions, but the public may already be ready and willing to learn, act and change. |
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Road Map to a Sustainable Future:
Will Aquariums Meet the Challenge? Dr. Julie Packard, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Over a quarter century has passed since the international aquarium community gathered in Monaco at the first IAC meeting to share ideas and best practices. Over time, our missions have evolved as the world has changed, toward more focus on our role in solving the growing environmental crisis that surrounds us. But, are we doing enough? Freshwater aquatic systems are a basic requirement for human survival, from drinking water to food security. And, healthy ocean and aquatic ecosystems are critical to enabling life on Earth to exist. Their future will determine our future... and in fact, our very survival. The ocean is our pantry, our lungs, our playground, a massive driver of global commerce and a storehouse for innovation to meet human needs. But, we know now that these aquatic systems are changing at a dangerous pace. Our global community of aquariums has a massive untapped opportunity to turn this tide. We have done a good job of helping millions of visitors know more and care more about the ocean and aquatic life, but we haven’t done nearly enough to guide them to take the next step. Fortunately, we have created an amazing array of effective models for ocean and aquatic conservation, from marine protected areas to fisheries governance reform to consumer movements for sustainable seafood. And, we now have a road map in the new UN Sustainable Development Goals which include specific targets for freshwater and life in the sea. I am confident we can turn the tide -- by investing in people and ideas to demonstrate solutions, nurturing hope and aspiration, and showing our audiences how they can engage to make change. The collective action of everyone in this room -- whatever we decide to do at our institutions in the next few years -- will help shape the future for humanity on this planet. |