The Role of Public Aquaria in the Conservation of Fish Species: Examples from the South Carolina Aquarium

Whit McMillan
Conservation Education Manager, South Carolina Aquarium, 57 Hasell Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401; Phone: 843/720-1990 ext.40; Fax: 843/720-3861; E-mail: wmcmillan@scaquarium.org

Public aquaria and zoos are regarded as one of the most trusted sources of marine environmental information in the nation, second only to National Geographic and Jacques Cousteau, according to a study funded by the Pew Memorial Trust last year. Conservation of fish species is often considered harder to achieve than conservation of other animal species. Captive breeding of rare populations of fish is often difficult and public awareness of the need for fish conservation is low. Reef fish species are not easily recognized and are often seen only on menus and in markets. Public aquaria have a role to play in solving some of these problems by pursuing captive breeding programs and educating large numbers of visitors each year. The South Carolina Aquarium, which will open in the spring of 2000, and similar facilities can present animals in their habitats along with high quality education programs designed to stress conservation topics. The South Carolina Aquarium has had some success raising awareness of Swordfish conservation on a local level and is designing specific efforts to educate our visitors about problems facing reef fish.