The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has undertaken efforts to prevent the harvesting of fish, destined for aquariums, from the waters of Hawaii. Almost 30 million fish are removed from coral reefs worldwide each year, according to conservationists. Nearly 500,000 fish are taken around the aloha state each year, to be sold as pets.
The environmental group was founded in the United States in 1981, in Oregon. Modeled after the Canadian group Earth Force Society, the group initially focused on conservation of marine mammals, but later expanded their mission to include all wildlife in oceans and seas.
While the marine conservation groups want removal of fish for aquariums ended, other observers contend fish populations are increasing, and there is little cause for concern.
The Sea Shepherd group obtained their first ship in 1978, with financial assistance from the Cleveland Amory of the Fund for Animals. On its maiden voyage, the vessel traveled to ice floes in eastern Canada, where the group interfered with hunting of baby harp seals. Soon after, the ship traveled to Portugal, where the crew rammed the notorious renegade whaling ship, the Sierra. The attack took the pirate hunting vessel out of operations.
Some practices employed by fish harvesters have been made illegal in the state, yet still continue from time to time. One of these is called cyanide fishing. As its name suggests, some harvesters add cyanide into water, in order to slow down the animals, making them easier to catch. This toxin leeches into the surrounding environment, poisoning other species of plants and animals. The practice also significantly shortens the lifespan of captured fish.
After the group approached a pair of fish collectors in Hawaii over the aquarium fish issue, the two filed lawsuits against each other. Sea Shepherd management told the press They are interested in raising awareness, and their members will not attack or harass people seen harvesting Hawaiian fish for the pet trade.
In May, a Sea Shepherd diver recording the collection of fish for the aquarium trade was attacked by a collector 50 feet underwater.
"As they filmed from a distance, one of the collectors noticed the camera from afar and quickly 'rushed' diver Rene Umberger without warning and pulled the air regulator from her mouth. This device is what provides oxygen from a diver's air tank, and forcibly removing it from a diver's mouth can become deadly in a matter of seconds," Sea Shepherd officials wrote in a press release about the incident.
The environmental group hopes to bring their movement against harvesting of aquarium fish to the Philippines and Indonesia.
