Abstract

Rising Tide Conservation (RTC) was initiated by SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund in 2009 amidst concerns over the current status of coral reefs and the sustainability of marine fish collection for the aquarium industry and for display at public aquaria and zoos. The RTC Initiative is intended to overcome bottlenecks in the successful commercial culture of more challenging marine species, including anthias, tang, surgeonfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and Banggai cardinalfish species through major collaborative efforts. RTC contributors include members of academia, AZA institutions, private industry and advanced hobbyists. At the University of Florida's Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, work with eggs and larvae collected from on-site broodstock and from AZA institution exhibits has resulted in some early successes, including survival and growout of porkfish, spadefish, sea bream, blue striped grunts, semicircle angelfish, ternate damselfish, scooter blennies, Green Chromis, and Ocellated Dragonets. Recently, faculty at the University of Florida's Indian River Research and Education Center have also joined RTC. Work is ongoing to overcome the major bottlenecks, which vary according to species but collectively occur at all levels: broodstock health and conditioning, spawning, hatch, larval survival, live food production, and growout. Environmental and nutritional factors are complex, and options are being tested. Concerns over the role of infectious disease in younger life stages include systems microbial ecology, carrier broodstock, and live foods as factors. Some health management options being explored include enhancement of diagnostics; broodstock, environment, and live food screening; use of probiotics and immunostimulants; and vaccine development for diseases of concern.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Judy St. Leger, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment; Jane Davis, Marj Awai, and Eric Curtis, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Sandy Moore, Segrest Farms; Deborah Pouder, Larry Lawson, and Lauren Smith of the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, University of Florida; former University of Florida staff Matthew Wittenrich, Christy Creamer, and Samantha Groene; and all the numerous externs, interns, RTC collaborators and partners who have supported and continue to support RTC efforts.

* Presenting author