Top News: Ocean Voice International seeks donations to promote healthy ornamental fish capture and shipping

NEWS RELEASE FROM OCEAN VOICE INTERNATIONAL

Ocean Voice Seeks Matching Funds from Industry and Hobbyists for Marine Ornamental Fish Program: Time to Put Something Back? Ocean Voice International (OVI), a marine environmental organization with about 10 years experience involving coral reefs and marine ornamental fishes, has just received approval from CIDA for a grant of $75,000 for Phase III of their ornamental fishery program in the Philippines. The grant requires matching funds and OVI is seeking $25,000 from the ornamental fish industry and hobbyists. The funds will be used by the Haribon Foundation and PMP of Manila and Ocean Voice, to help establish an export facility solely for net-caught ornamentals, train the staff, and continue training aquarium fish collectors in sustainable approaches to the fishery. CIDA, the Canadian International Development Agency, a counterpart of USAID, supported the successful Phase II of the program.

"Any donation, large or small, would be appreciated," says Dr. Don McAllister, President of Ocean Voice International. If 5,000 hobbyists sent $5 apiece, then healthy net-caught fish would start flowing out of the Philippines.

The CIDA grant will also train fish collectors and fish holding facility staff
to maintain holding and shipping methods meet water quality standards. This will help ensure quality fish and reduce losses.

"The time has come for serious participation in our program by industry and hobbyists," says Don McAllister, President of Ocean Voice International. He says, "Governments and environmentalists have borne most of the costs in developing sustainable approaches. The benefits will go to the industry, hobbyists, as well as the coral reefs." There is increasing concern by the general public and the aquarium hobbyists, witness the recent CompuServe forum and discussions on the cyanide issue. The U.S. government has been promoting the International Coral Reef Initiative. If the industry supports solutions tested by Haribon and Ocean Voice there is less risk that regulations may be put in place to try and solve the problem.

"On the positive side," says Dr. McAllister, "the donations to this program can be considered as a wise investment in this year's and future profits." Healthy fishes mean a greater return on fish imports, more satisfied customers, and more customers, according Ocean Voice president. Sustainable methods also mean healthy reefs, beneficial to tourism and food fisheries, as well as the aquarium industry.

Ocean Voice and Haribon have demonstrated the practicality of their program. About 1000 aquarium fish gatherers have graduated from their training and educational program. The educational manual, Save Our Coral Reefs, and program have been praised in aquarium magazines. Test shipments have been made to the Vancouver Aquarium on the west coast and to Ottawa in eastern Canada. With funding for Phase III, the program is ready to move into its final successful phase.

Any donations, large or small, or memberships would be appreciated by Ocean Voice from hobbyists, aquarium clubs, and the aquarium industry. Memberships vary from $10 for students, $25 for individuals, $30 for families, $50 from small companies, to $250 (Corporate), $1,000 (Sponsor), $3000 (Patron) or $5,000 (Benefactor) memberships for larger companies and corporations. The hobbyist and industry has benefited from coral reefs for decades. "Isn't it time to put something back?", Don McAllister asks, "it is mutually beneficial."


For more information contact:

http://www.ovi.ca
Jaime Baquero, OVI Director, (819) 243-1334, e-mail:
bd268@freenet.carleton.ca
Katja Rodriguez, OVI Director, (613) (613) 952-0603, e-mail:
bo093@freenet.carleton.ca
or: Don McAllister, OVI President, (613) 264-8986, e-mail:
mca...@superaje.com