MARINE ORNAMENTAL DECAPODS FROM BRAZIL – NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR

FELIPE P.A. COHEN*, WAGNER C. VALENTI, IRACY L. PECORA, RAFAEL A. GREGATI, LAURA S. LÓPEZ GRECO,

NATAL

Conferencia; WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY MEETING 2011; 2011

WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY

Marine ornamental decapods are among the most popular marine invertebrates in the aquarium trade, as they commonly exhibit dazzling colorations, unusual behavior (such as fish cleaning) and/or control nuisance organisms in reef tanks. The majority of decapod crustaceans available in the trade are still collected from the wild. The lack of knowledge on their biology and ecology is still an important bottleneck for the establishment of sustainable fishing programs, and it is possible that some populations may already be overexploited. Under this scenario, the culture of these highly priced marine organisms is considered as the most sustainable approach. Some of the most popular marine ornamental decapods species occur in Brazilian waters. As the use of autochthonous resources is considered as one of the foundations of sustainable aquaculture, the culture of marine ornamental decapods from Brazilian waters may rapidly become a sustainable and commercially important activity. By promoting the culture of autochthonous, rather than exotic species, it will be possible to decrease the fishing pressure on marine ornamental decapods from the wild and eliminate the risk of introducing alien species and/or their pathogens to Brazilian coastal waters. The aim of this work is to provide a preliminary list of marine decapod crustaceans from Brazilian waters that may be suitable for culture in captivity, either due to their novelty in the trade, popularity, high commercial value or rarity in the wild (Table 1). Some of the most popular marine ornamental decapods species occur in Brazilian waters. As the use of autochthonous resources is considered as one of the foundations of sustainable aquaculture, the culture of marine ornamental decapods from Brazilian waters may rapidly become a sustainable and commercially important activity. By promoting the culture of autochthonous, rather than exotic species, it will be possible to decrease the fishing pressure on marine ornamental decapods from the wild and eliminate the risk of introducing alien species and/or their pathogens to Brazilian coastal waters. The aim of this work is to provide a preliminary list of marine decapod crustaceans from Brazilian waters that may be suitable for culture in captivity, either due to their novelty in the trade, popularity, high commercial value or rarity in the wild (Table 1). Some of the most popular marine ornamental decapods species occur in Brazilian waters. As the use of autochthonous resources is considered as one of the foundations of sustainable aquaculture, the culture of marine ornamental decapods from Brazilian waters may rapidly become a sustainable and commercially important activity. By promoting the culture of autochthonous, rather than exotic species, it will be possible to decrease the fishing pressure on marine ornamental decapods from the wild and eliminate the risk of introducing alien species and/or their pathogens to Brazilian coastal waters. The aim of this work is to provide a preliminary list of marine decapod crustaceans from Brazilian waters that may be suitable for culture in captivity, either due to their novelty in the trade, popularity, high commercial value or rarity in the wild (Table 1). Some of the most popular marine ornamental decapods species occur in Brazilian waters. As the use of autochthonous resources is considered as one of the foundations of sustainable aquaculture, the culture of marine ornamental decapods from Brazilian waters may rapidly become a sustainable and commercially important activity. By promoting the culture of autochthonous, rather than exotic species, it will be possible to decrease the fishing pressure on marine ornamental decapods from the wild and eliminate the risk of introducing alien species and/or their pathogens to Brazilian coastal waters. The aim of this work is to provide a preliminary list of marine decapod crustaceans from Brazilian waters that may be suitable for culture in captivity, either due to their novelty in the trade, popularity, high commercial value or rarity in the wild (Table 1).