Hawaiian Reefs

[Jordani]

I love hawaiian reefs and I know that there being damaged. Now I just had an idea to restore them partially. If a proper permit was obtained would aquaculturing them be a good or bad idea? Lets say 60% was for restoration and the other 40% was for public and private aquariums.

[wrott]

When I dove in HI last October, everything looked very healthy. What damage have you heard about? Diving in HI was the best I've ever seen. I've only dove the Caribbean, otherwise. I'm sure Fiji or Indonesia would be better, HI has no staghorn or soft corals due to geography and temp. But really nice "bushy" corals and fish--tangs galore.

[Jordani]

Well I always hear about ships sinking or crashing upon the reefs, on diving videos in hawaii and I saw in kona were a beach had barely any coral and we can't forget bleaching. Besides there is always improvement that can happen as we all know the hawaiian reefs are not completely intact due to humans.

[ludnix]

I have yet to hear of a situation in which aqua culturing for public use has directly benefited reef restoration. If you know of one I'd be interested in reading about it.

[Jordani]

Originally Posted by ludnix

I have yet to hear of a situation in which aqua culturing for public use has directly benefited reef restoration. If you know of one I'd be interested in reading about it.

Yes I know there isn't one, but theres a first for everything.

Sorry but I just would like to know your opinions if this is a good idea or not.

Thank You

[Amp2020]

Due to the amount of ignorance among many reefers, this could be a devastating attempt at helping the reef. Most reef tanks have corals from many different location and the chances of introducing a foreign species is dangerous. Just imagine a small rock with a small piece of caulerpa that went unnoticed was released in a foreign location. It has already happened with several macro algaes and they are smothering all the life around them. This could happen with small hermits, snails, inverts, and possibly even small things like bacteria. It's a nice idea but would have to be closely watched and controled. A safer effort would be to start a coral farm in close proximity where nothing is removed or introduced to that area.

[reeftanknewbie]

Originally Posted by Amp2020

Due to the amount of ignorance among many reefers, this could be a devastating attempt at helping the reef. Most reef tanks have corals from many different location and the chances of introducing a foreign species is dangerous. Just imagine a small rock with a small piece of caulerpa that went unnoticed was released in a foreign location. It has already happened with several macro algaes and they are smothering all the life around them. This could happen with small hermits, snails, inverts, and possibly even small things like bacteria. It's a nice idea but would have to be closely watched and controled. A safer effort would be to start a coral farm in close proximity where nothing is removed or introduced to that area.

I think the idea is a good one but monitoring it for such these issues I think would be tough. Personally, I feel anytime money is involved in great ideas there are always a select few that try to abuse it by overdoing it to the point of it becoming more harmful then helpful....I think when I was living in CA in the 90's there was a foreign Algae break out in parts of the pacific due to what was believed to be hobbyist dumping their tank livestock into the ocean.

[Chris27]

Don't worry, Hawaii is on top of it. They have been working for a good long time to ensure that their reefs can't be harvested like ones in the Caribbean or South Pacific. Fish and inverts yes, but coral no. If you live in Hawaii you can't even have a reef tank in your house - just fish! Mother Nature is stronger then we give her credit for....I'm sure she'll bounce back provided we don't harm the reefs any further.

[saf1]

I guess it depends on what part you are diving in let alone what island. There will always be reef damange around scuba diving areas just because some people don't understand bouncy control. Dive masters, boat captains, resorts, and guides are all supposed to enforce a check out dive upon arrival. The idea is to work out the proper weight as well as see who has what sort of control. Fix what you can and then plan the dives around that group. Always amazes me when I'm out and about and I see people head down and just be a 200 lb wrecking ball because they can't control their decent let alone bouncy once this get down. Very frustrating.

Then you have people touch when we have all been taught not to disrupt the environment. That means no picking up of snails, crabs, hermits, fish, etc. We are there to look, not touch. But be that we are all human what can you expect. Diving is part of Hawaii's economy so it is really left up to the dive masters, guides, resorts and what not to enforce good diving behavior. Just my opinion anyway.

If you want to try and do some coral propagation maybe give IPSF a call. I believe they are in the area and may be able to help you a bit. If not try the left coast with Florida. Couple shops there that do live rock and coral propagation. In fact there was a artical talking about what you are thinking of doing. Maybe give it a read and see if you can make contact. I liked the acro on a string in the video. Great idea.

Anyway - not bashing on scuba divers but it just kills me when bouncy isn't enforced. Maybe it was my dive master who beat it into me. But diving is so much more enjoyable once you master it let alone you have more bottom time due to less wasted air.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/...n6585811.shtml

Enjoy.