OUR MISSION
Rising Tide Conservation is dedicated to enhancing sustainability in the marine aquarium industry by funding and promoting marine ornamental fish aquaculture research.
OUR WORK
Aquaculture provides a sustainable source for aquarium fishes, and can reduce the impacts of wild collection on fish populations and the habitats where they live. Just a small percentage of marine fish species in the aquarium industry have been aquacultured, creating a need for research to develop and refine marine ornamental fish aquaculture methods.
We are committed helping meet this need by providing full and partial funding for aquaculture research, both to develop initial aquaculture protocols and to optimize aquaculture protocols for commercial use. We achieve success by working collaboratively with researchers, public aquaria, hobbyists, pet industry professionals, and conservation groups to continue increasing the availability of aquacultured marine ornamental fish species in the aquarium industry, for both hobbyists and public aquaria.
Additionally, we are supporting the next wave of aquaculture researchers and aquarists by funding graduate students and supporting professional development through internships and externships with our partners in the aquarium industry
A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS
We believe successful conservation and sustainability requires collaboration (”a rising tide”), and our efforts are intended to benefit the aquarium industry, the ocean, and the people and marine life that depend on it. (“lift all boats”).
AQUACULTURED FISH
Aquaculture provides a sustainable source for aquarium fishes, and can reduce the impacts of wild collection on fish populations and the habitats where they live.
We support marine ornamental fish aquaculture research at facilities that meet strict animal welfare standards. These research facilities must maintain a high standard of husbandry practices, ensure that all animals are kept in a healthy environment, are fed a well-balanced diet, and are observed throughout their life and time at the facility to ensure a good quality of life and kept in good health.
We believe aquaculture is an important, impactful way to increase sustainability in the aquarium industry, but not the only way. We support verified sustainable initiatives, including the regulated and transparent wild collection of certain species.
THE AQUACULTURE PROCESS
The aquaculture process is intricate and can take years before success is achieved. The Pacific blue tang, Paracanthurus hepatus, took over six years and collaboration with other research facilities before successful aquaculture was achieved in 2016 at the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Lab, with funding from Rising Tide Conservation.
After success has been achieved, the process is replicated and refined to identify the ideal conditions that allow marine ornamental fish to breed, spawn, grow, and thrive in human care.
By freely sharing findings from funded aquaculture research, we are working to make aquaculture more accessible by reducing the time and financial investment barriers