How We Support Reefs

Most of the fish we write about come with a care sheet: how big the tank needs to be, what to feed, who plays nicely with whom. This one is different, because it's about some of the cool things that happen behind the scenes here at Quality Marine. It's about the people, critters and reef habitats that make this hobby possible in the first place, and the program we started to look after them.

We're talking about Reefhab. It's a Quality Marine initiative built around three goals: coral reef conservation, reef habitat restoration, and poverty alleviation. That last one might seem out of place on a list like this but stick with us. Reefs and the people who live beside them are tied together tightly, and you can't really help one without the other. One way we pursue all three by supporting marine ornamental aquaculture projects, both established ones and those still finding their feet.

Funding is the part people usually want to know about first, and it's refreshingly simple. Proceeds from the sale of every aquacultured animal we sell go to Reefhab. Everyone, whether it's a captive-bred fish or a cultured coral. So, when you pick an aquacultured animal over a wild-caught one, you aren't just getting a fish that has never seen an ocean. You're also putting a little something back into the system that keeps reefs healthy.

Why aquaculture? Coral reefs are some of the most complex and productive ecosystems on the planet, and like any renewable resource, they only stay productive if someone manages them thoughtfully. The future of the marine aquarium hobby is wrapped up in the health of those reefs (we'd like to keep this hobby around for a good long while, thank you very much). Aquaculture and mariculture work alongside, not in place of sustainable levels of wild harvest.

There's an important and totally intertwined human story to tell here as well. Healthy, lower-impact, higher-yielding livelihoods in coastal communities matter enormously. When a community shifts away from large-scale, low-value fishing and toward small-scale, high-value harvest, paired with culturing viable local species, it can protect the very reefs it depends on. A reef that's worth more alive than dead is a reef people will look after. That's the idea we keep coming back to.

So where does the money actually go? Reefhab's main focus is supporting non-profit organizations centered on reef restoration, the folks working to safeguard reefs and bring habitat back. We also fund new and existing mariculture businesses to help expand the variety, quantity and quality of cultured animals available to aquarists. If you've ever wished a particular fish was available captive-bred, this is how that wish gets a little closer to reality. On top of that, we put a lot of time and effort into developing standards for a healthy and sustainable trade. Those standards promote ethical collection practices in developing nations, and they're used by organizations that train collectors in how to harvest their own seas sustainably.

Roger Williams University's Aquaculture and Aquarium Science Program, headed by Dr. Andy Rhyne, is one we are very proud to support. Its wet lab plays a big role in the university's major and minor degrees in the field, and its research focuses on developing culture techniques and systems that are cost-effective. Students get a holistic view of the aquarium industry, including trade sustainability and the socio-economic side of it all. We support the program by selling RWU-cultured species to our store partners, which is a pretty good deal for everyone involved.

The Pet Advocacy Network is an organization that advocates for responsible pet ownership and supports policies that protect the interests of pets, pet owners, and animal-related businesses. It works with lawmakers, industry professionals, and animal lovers to promote fair regulations, educate the public, and encourage the humane care and well-being of companion animals. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, the Pet Advocacy Network aims to help people keep and care for their pets while supporting the businesses and communities that serve them.

Now, we know what you're thinking. We're a wholesale operation, so how does any of this involve you? Easy: every one of these animals can be ordered through your favorite local fish store. Ask your LFS about aquacultured fish and corals from Quality Marine, and you'll be supporting Reefhab with your purchase. Your fish store gets a healthy animal, you get a gorgeous addition to your tank, and a little piece of the sale heads back to the reefs. Not a bad combo.