New video added to the Midland Reefs – YouTube channel, courtesy of the Macatan Island Aquarium, highlighting some of the threats facing the reefs, such as dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, and pollution.
Watch and learn – Macatan Aquarium video.
To learn more about this great little aquarium, go to: Macatan Island Aquarium
Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
25 November 2010.
An incident investigation report into the recent failure of the Atlantic Reef at the National Marine Aquarium is now available on the NMA website
20th November 2010.
One of the oldest aquariums in the UK, indeed, in the world, the Blackpool Tower Aquarium, is set to close this weekend to make way for a new attraction.
The Tower Aquarium pre-dates the tower itself by 19 years; originally called Dr Cocker’s Menagerie; the aquarium has been on the site since 1875. The aquarium remained open to earn revenue while the tower building went up around it. Building commenced on 29 September 1891 with the Tower finally opening on 14 May 1894.
Sometime around 1900, the interior of the aquarium was modelled on the limestone caverns of Derbyshire. This was lost in the 1970s when the aquarium was refurbished to a more contemporary theme.
57 different species of fresh water and salt-water fish were housed at the aquarium and the largest tank held 32,000 litres of salt water. The aquarium is to be demolished to make way for a new attraction for 2011.
Work to remove the fish from the aquarium commences Sunday, with the majority of the 200 fishes being re-located to the nearby Sea Life Centre; the rest of the fish will be quarantined until they can be accommodated at other marine centres throughout Europe.
I find it sad that a venerable aquarium such as this, one that has been going continuously for 135 years, should be closed down; Merlin Entertainments who run the site, as well as the massive chain of Sea Life centres, appear to have no sense of history. Going to the Blackpool Tower website it’s as if the aquarium never existed, with no mention of the aquarium, or for that matter, the history of the tower.
Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2010
My attention was drawn to this issue by the Seahorse Trust: The Seahorse Trust
Studland Bay is an important habitat for UK seahorses as it features a spectacular seagrass bed that plays host to breeding populations of short snouted and spiny seahorses.
On Wednesday next week there is a meeting that will help to decide the future of Studland Bay and its seagrass and seahorses.
The meeting is being organised by the Marine Management Organisation with a group of stakeholders including those that do not want Studland protected and who want negative activities to still carry on on the site, damaging the seagrass and threatening the future of the Seahorses.
Help support native marine life by voting on the Marine Conservation Society’s “Yours Sea Your Voice” page:
MCS Your Seas Your Voice : Vote for a site
It is crucial that you vote for this unique site that is under threat from destructive practices; please vote yourself and ask your friends to vote in support of the UK’s native marine life.
Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2010
18th November 2010.
The National Marine Aquarium (NMA) in Plymouth has suffered as a result of the recent bad weather in the West Country. Water drained from the Atlantic Reef on Tuesday night when the life support systems and the back-up systems were put out of action after the storms caused a power failure.
When aquarium staff arrived for work on Wednesday they found the tank nearly empty. Despite the staff working hard to remedy the situation, more than 200 fish died; around 30 fish were rescued but even so they may not all survive.
The fish resident in the Atlantic Reef, at 550,000-litres one of the largest aquariums in the UK, were all native species and included fish such as Conger Eels, Turbot, Bass, Pollock, Grey Mullet, Horse Mackerel and Wrasse.
The Atlantic Reef will remain closed for the next couple of months whilst restocking takes place. There are also plans to refurbish and re-theme the exhibit.
The restocked tank will take some time to regain its impact as many of the fish being replaced were large specimens and it is unlikely that fish of similar size can be readily found.
A Question.
Although this is a tragic loss, as an aquarist, I have to ask, “Why wasn’t this system designed to fail safe?” May be there was an additional failure that allowed this to occur, but no aquarium, however large, should drain as a result of loss of power.
So remember, check that your own aquariums can’t drain when the power goes off, to avoid losses like this.
Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2010
Although Coral is classified as being a magazine, it would be more accurately described as a journal. Rather than having the ephemeral content associated with magazines, each issue of Coral contains in-depth information on the featured species along with world class information in the accompanying articles making it a reference work you’ll go back to time and again.
This bibliography features the available back issues published by EcoSystem.
DOTTYBACKS Volume 5 Number 4 August/September 2008
Exploring the Red Sea Iron Essentials Moon Jellies
FLUORESCENCE Volume 5 Number 3 June/July 2008
Underwater Zanzibar Nutrient Ratio Basics Sea Hares
BLENNIES Volume 5 Number 2 June/July 2008
Blennies, takes a look at these endearing fishes with articles from Bruce Carlson, Daniel Knop, and Elen Thaler. Additional articles include “Keeping Moon Jellies”, “Artificial Coral Reefs”, an interview with Rudie Kuiter, and much more.
FIRE CORALS Volume 5 Number 1 February/March 2008
Underwater Sulawesi Spider Crabs How Fishes Move
SHRIMP GOBIES Volume 4 Number 6 December 2007/January 2008
Exploring the Lesser Antilles Colour Enhancers Competition for Space
SAND BED FILTERS Volume 4 Number 5 October/November 2007
Sand Bed Filters, delves into the subject of how Sand Bed Filters work with articles from Dr Ron Shimek and Anthony Calfo. Dieter Brockmann continues his look at Nitrate in the aquarium, this issue discussing Denitrifying filters. Dr Katharina Fabricius explores the Ecology and Nutrition of Azooxanthellate soft corals. Additional articles include a look at the Bluespotted Ray.
CORALLIMORPHARIANS Volume 4 Number 4 August/September 2007
Corallimorpharians, focuses (naturally enough) on the Corallimorpharians, or as they’re more familiarly referred to – Mushroom Anemones. Following on from The Large Reef Aquarium issue there’s a look at aquascaping large aquaria. Dieter Brockmann looks at Nitrate in the aqaurium. Additional articles include a look at Moorish Idols and Filefishes.
GREAT BARRIER REEF Volume 4 Number 3 June/July 2007
Great Barrier Reef, focuses on the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. Articles feature the reef itself, look at research on the reef, and at management of the reef. Additional articles include a look at The Sexy Shrimp, Weedy Sea Dragons, and Iodine use in the reef aquarium.
LARGE REEF AQUARIUMS Volume 4 Number 2 April/May 2007
Large Reef Aquariums, focuses on the recent trend for public aquariums to build very large reef aquaria. The systems featured include the 76000 litre reef aquarium at Atlantis Marine World, Long Island, The Dome Aquaree, in Berlin, Germany, and the new Pacific Barrier Reef exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium in the USA, a stunning 625 000 litres. Additional articles include a look at Ricordea florida, mushroom anemones, and there’s a feature from Professor Ellen Thaler on Wrasses in the aquarium.
DAMSELFISHES Volume 4 Number 1 February/March 2007
This issue of Coral focuses on those ubiquitous small fishes the Damselfishes of the family Pomacentridae with articles by Frank Schneidewind, Torsten Luther, and Professor Ellen Thaler. This includes discussion of how this category of fishes is often misunderstood in terms of aquarium suitability. A secondary feature looks at Tubeworms with articles by Dr Lutz Gohr and Kai Velling. Also in this issue Dieter Brockmann looks at the interlinked processes of photosynthesis and calcification.
GORGONIANS Volume 3 Number 6 December 2006/January 2007
This issue of Coral focuses on those most beautiful of corals, the Gorgonians, with articles by Daniel Knop, Dieter Brockmann, and Todd Gardner. Additionally Scott Michael looks at the commensal animals that live in association with Gorgonians. Daniel Knop visits Raja Ampat, the centre of marine species diversity in Indonesia. Additional articles look at colour variations in Angel and Butterflyfishes,the propagation of Convict Blennies in the aquarium, and the part of Phosphate in the reef aquarium; plus much more besides.
FROGFISHES Volume 3 Number 5 October/November 2006
This issue of Coral focuses on those bizzare beauties the Frogfishes of the family Antennariidae with articles by well-know Frogfish fanatic Scott Michael, Frank Schneidewind, and Professor Ellen Thaler. There’s a secondary feature looking at Sponges with articles by Daniel Knop and Kai Velling. Also in this issue we have the second part of the article on pathogenic bacteria in the saltwater aquarium, this time looking at bacterial contamination of Frozen Foods. Additional articles look at Zoanthids and Phosphate in the reef aquarium; plus much more besides.
CORALS: Sexual Propagation in the Aquarium Volume 3 Number 4 August/September 2006
This issue of Coral focuses on sexual reproduction of corals in the marine aquarium with articles by Dr Kirsten Micalek-Wagner, Anja Cargill, Dr Dirk Petersen, Professor Helmut Schumacher, and Daniella Stettler. (This may sound like a lot of academics but checkout the article about the SECORE project by Dirk Petersen – it’s really great stuff) There’s a secondary feature looking at Anthias with articles by Daniel Knop, Ellen Thaler, and Kai Velling. Also in this issue are articles covering pathogenic bacteria in the saltwater aquarium (an important topic, especially if you feed live foods) a look at the coral reefs around Yap; plus much more besides.PS, check out the overview of corals noted to have spawned in the aquarium. Yep, Tim’s got a mention again..
HAWKFISHES Volume 3 Number 3 June/July 2006
This issue of Coral focuses on Hawkfishes for the marine aquarium with articles by Frank Schneidewind and Professor Ellen Thaler. There’s a secondary feature looking at Anemones with articles by Daniel Knop, Andreus Neufeld, and Professor Daphne G. Fautin (including a look at Anemone propagation).Also in this issue are articles covering sweeper tentacles, MAC (Marine Aquarium Council), a look at the coral reefs around Vilamendhooin in the Maldives, a comparison of nutrient density in the wild and in the aquarium by Alf Jacob Nilsen; plus much more besides. PS, check out the EcoSystem ad on page 1 featuring a couple of Tim’s shark photos.
HERMIT CRABS Volume 3 Number 2 April/May 2006
This issue of Coral focuses on Hermit Crabs for the marine aquarium. It includes articles by Kai Velling and Proffesor Ellen Thaler. Also in this issue are articles covering trace elements, MAC (Marine Aquarium Council), a look at the coral gardens and reef walls of western Cuba, a look at the significance of ocelli in marine animals; plus much more besides.
LIVE FOODS Volume 3 Number 1 February/March 2006
This issue of Coral concentrates on the culturing and the value of live food for the marine aquarium. It includes articles on culturing phytoplankton and zooplankton by Wolfgang Mai, a look at copepods and their importance in raising larval marine fishes. Continuing the food theme, Scott Michael looks at the hunting strategies of carnivorous reef fishes. Also in this issue are articles covering aquarium photography, travel to Bali, Ricordia florida by Daniel Knop; plus much more besides.
RETICULATE EVOLUTION
This issue of Coral magazine features J. E. N. Veron writing on coral taxonomy and evolution. Also in this issue are: Julian Sprung on Seagrass Aquariums, Spawning the Spotted Mandarin by Wolfgang Mai, Scott Michael on the aquarium of Leng Sy, travel: the Celebes Sea, my interview with Scott Michael (I even got my name spelt correctly this time!!), plus much more besides.
ANEMONEFISHES Volume 2 Number 5 October/November 2005
This issue of Coral has everyone’s favourite reef fishes, the Anemonefishes, as the featured species, includes articles on breeding by Wolfgang Mai and Joe Lichtenbert. Also in this issue are articles covering Peanut Worms, Sea Stars by Daniel Knop; plus much more besides. (Not to mention my interview with Chris Buerner of Quality Marine – unfortunately credited to my non-existent brother Tom!)
SEA URCHINS Volume 2 Number 4 August/September 2005
Calcium Reactors Elba & Giglio The Guinea Fowl Puffer
SURGEONFISHES Volume 2 Number 3 June/July 2005
This issue of Coral has Surgeon Fishes as the featured species, includes articles by Alf Jacob Nilsen and Scott michael. Also in this issue are articles covering Cleaning Behaviour and Skin Parasites in Fishes, both by Professor Ellen Thaler; a report about pest Acoel Worms; Dr. Elizabeth Wood on the Impact of the Tsunami on Indonesian Coral Reefs part 2; plus much more besides.
LEATHER CORALS Volume 2 Number 2 April/May 2005
This issue of Coral has Leather Corals as the featured species, includes articles by Alf Jacob Nilsen. Also in this issue are articles covering the Clown Triggerfish, a great article on Phytoplankton – the Ultimate Food, by Ron Shimek; Part VII of Nutrients in the Reef Aquarium; Dr. Elizabeth Wood on the Impact of the Tsunami on Indonesian Coral Reefs; plus much more besides.
OCTOPUSES Volume 2 Number 1 February/March 2005
This issue of Coral has Octopuses as the featured species, includes articles by Alf Jacob Nilsen. Also in this issue are articles covering the Leafy scorpionfish, the second part of an article looking at dealing with the problem of Aiptasia, Part VI of Nutrients in the Reef Aquarium, Julien Sprung on setting up a Monaco system aquarium, plus much more besides.
PYGMY ANGELFISHES Volume 1 Number 6 December 2004/January 2005
Also included are articles covering the propagation of Carpet Anemones, the first part of an article looking at dealing with the problem of Aiptasia, Part V of Nutrients in the Reef Aquarium, plus much more besides.
NUDIBRANCHS Volume 1 Number 5 October/November 2004
Atlantis Found Lowering Nitrates Martin Moe Interview
LIONFISHES Volume 1 Number 4 August/September 2004
Caribbean Biotopes Biological Filtration Rarities
Coming soon …
Look out for the upcoming, buy 2 get 1 free, offer on Midland Reefs.
Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2010
The year, 2010, looks set to go down in history as the hottest year on record so far. It has been a year of unremitting disaster for coral reefs around the world with coral bleaching occurring on a scale only previously seen during 1998 when around 16% of shallow water reefs died as a result of temperature induced bleaching. Many coral reef scientists fear that this year may be even more devastating.
Coral reef die-offs were first observed during 1983 in both the Caribbean and the eastern pacific, these die offs were linked to the weather phenomenon called El Niño.
The El Niño/La Niña-Southern Oscillation, ENSO, is a periodic climate phenomenon that occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean over a period varying from three to seven years. It is characterised by variations in sea surface temperature of the eastern Pacific Ocean – warming results from El Niño, whilst cooling is as a result of La Niña. The two variations are linked, with the warm phase, El Niño, accompanying high air surface pressure in the west Pacific, and the cold phase, La Niña, accompanying low air surface pressure.
The seas are currently being influenced by 2009-10 El Nino phase.
Intermittent serious bleaching has occurred regionally since 1983 but 1998 saw the first global bleaching event. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, reports that the first eight months of 2010 equalled those of 1998 as the hottest January to August period on record, so many scientists believing this year might be even worse. The high temperatures being experienced this year might put the world’s coral reefs under such stress that it would lead to widespread die-offs. This would endanger not just the richest ecosystem in the oceans but would also affect the fisheries that feed millions of people.
The loss of reef habitat has a knock-on effect of depriving fishes of the environment that they need to survive and prosper. Consequently, the loss off coral reefs will result in a reduction of fish populations; this does not just affect our ornamental species, it affects food species to the detriment of local peoples who are reliant on fish as a food source.
Clive Wilkinson, of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, says, “I am significantly depressed by the whole situation”. Clive is director of the Australian organization that is monitoring this year’s bleaching events.
In some areas, such as Thailand, the situation already appears to be worse than 1998. Yet, summer is only just beginning in the Southern Hemisphere. When you take that bit of knowledge on board, it is reasonable to expect the situation to worsen. There have already been reports predicting that the Great Barrier Reef is in danger of significant bleaching. To further emphasise the situation globally, computer forecasts of water temperature indicate that corals in the Caribbean may be next with drastic bleaching expected in the next few weeks.
The mechanism of coral bleaching is not yet fully understood by science, yet it is clear that high ocean temperatures have a significant role to play. For centuries, coral have lived in and adapted to, an environment with little in the way of seasonal variation. Global warming has increased local fluctuations in temperature to a detrimental affect. Many corals are subject to a natural temperature variation of as little as 2˚c, just having an extra degree or two imposed on them can induce bleaching and the chance of death.
Note, in some areas where corals are subject to greater seasonal temperature variations, they seem to be far more resilient in the face of climate change.
Coral bleaching is a stress-induced mechanism that results in the affected coral expelling its symbiotic algae and shutting down in a kind of survival mode. High temperature, along with bright sunlight, can cause the metabolism of the algae to speed up out of control, resulting in the creation toxins, which the coral is then forced to eject. Without its symbiont, the coral loses its colour and appears white, hence the term bleaching. Unfortunately, this limits the coral’s capacity to feed, as the dinoflagellate species that would normally provide the coral with the majority of its nutritional requirements in the form of sugars, through the process of photosynthesis, are no longer present. The coral can continue to maintain itself if it can get enough food directly by catching tiny specimens of zooplankton; if temperature normalises it can then recruit symbiotic algae anew, or perhaps a few algae cells that have remained in the coral tissue may proliferate, returning it to its pre-bleaching state. If the temperature does not return to normal the coral, now vulnerable to disease, will starve and die.
It will be some time before the extent of this year’s damage can be properly evaluated. So far, scientists monitoring the damage to the reefs say that they have seen widespread bleaching in Southeast Asia and the western Pacific, with corals in Thailand, parts of Indonesia and some of the smaller island nations being hit especially hard earlier this year. See previous issues of Reef News.
To me it seems obvious that this is linked to climate change. For years, coral reef scientists have warned that corals might serve as an early indicator of the danger of global warming. The analogy to “the canary in the coal mine” has been made on many occasions. Indeed, some scientists have even talked in terms of “the sixth extinction” in reference to the five extinctions that have occurred on our planet over geographical time. However, this sixth extinction is different to the previous extinctions being of anthropogenic origin, that is, a man-made extinction.
Although coral reefs occupy only fraction of the oceans, they are essential to around a quarter of all marine species, including myriad species of fish, they are the foundation of the fishing industries that millions are reliant on and also contribute millions to third world areas in the form tourist revenue.
Show people your reef tanks, tell people about the wonders of the coral reefs, then perhaps we can make the general public aware of what we stand to lose as a result of climate change. Unless we start making changes now the reefs are surely doomed, to be shortly followed by the fisheries.
Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2010