Research Support

Continuing with our policy of awarding grants to research studies which are directly or indirectly linked to the international ornamental aquatic industry, OFI is currently supporting the following conservation-based research programme:

 
Project Piaba
This wide-ranging project is based in Manaus and Barcelos in the Rio Negro region of Brazil. The programme embraces everything from ecological studies, to education priorities for the children of the riverine communities.
 
Piaba''s Center of Aquatic Conservation in Barcelos, Amazonas, Brazil. PHOTO: MICHELLE BURNHAM/SWALLOW AQUATICSBio-Amazonia Conservation International, under the leadership of Professor Ning Labbish Chao, is involved in a number of individual studies which are of direct and vital importance to the aquatic hobby and industry. Among these aspects of the work is the establishment of a 'Clean List' of fish that may be collected and exported legally from Brazil. Also prominent is a series of studies aimed at establishing sustainable harvesting policies and quotas for the ornamental fish species of the region.

For further information on Project Piaba, see Ning Labbish Chao and Gregory Prang's article 'Decade of Project Piaba: Reflections and Prospects', and visit the Official Piaba Web Site.
 
 
Past Projects
Over recent years, OFI has awarded grants to several other projects, including:
  • Marine Conservation Society/Darwin Initiative three-year pilot study aimed at establishing sustainable harvesting policies for Sri Lankan reefs (this study was also supported by the Association of Live Fish Exporters of Sri Lanka).
  • A short-term study carried out by Serafín Gómez at the University of Murcia in Spain into mycobacteriosis (TB) in 30 species of ornamental freshwater fishes.
  • Marine Aquarium Industry Study carried out by the Coral Reef Specialist Group of the IUCN aiming to establish the effects of the industry on coral reef fishes and their habitats.
  • Ocean Voice International/Haribon Foundation's long-running Philippines Net-training Programme.