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.
Bio-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.
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.
