Aquarium Fisheries

02/12/2026

A Legacy of Impact, A Future of Possibility.

After eight transformative years, we mark the close of a meaningful chapter—and the beginning of a bold new one.

Since 2017, Aquarium Fisheries has grown from a vision to a global movement—supporting sustainable sourcing, empowering coastal communities, and building ethical value chains in the aquarium fish trade. From governance assessment in Florida to groundbreaking engagement in Indonesia and beyond, our mission has always been rooted in science, livelihoods, and conservation.

At the heart of that mission has been our Director, Dr. Paul Anderson—a relentless advocate for sustainability and a bridge-builder between science, community, and industry.

Today, we are proud to share that Dr. Anderson has accepted the role of Vice President of Research, Conservation, and Education at Georgia Aquarium, a flagship institution that inspires awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide--for its visitors, and as a model for other public aquaria around the world.

Georgia Aquarium is home to leading conservation initiatives—such as ReShark and the Center for Species Survival—and reaches thousands through hands-on education programs. Dr. Anderson’s new role is an opportunity to amplify the values, vision, and impact Aquarium Fisheries has long championed.

As Aquarium Fisheries winds down, we share our heartfelt gratitude to all of our partners, sponsors, fishers, aquarists, and advocates. Your collaboration and commitment made our progress possible—and your influence lives on in every reef, community, and aquarium hobbyist we’ve reached together.

Here’s to the future of sustainable aquarium fisheries—and to Dr. Anderson’s next chapter at the helm of global marine research, conservation, and education.

💙 Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Anderson

Photos courtesy of Rare, LINI, and the Georgia Aquarium.

01/12/2026

Celebrating Passion, Education & Conservation in Aquariums 🌿🐠

For 75 years, hobby aquarium societies like the Calgary Aquarium Society have supported their communities of enthusiasts, educators, advocates, and conservationists.

Through responsible fishkeeping, knowledge sharing, and aquaculture efforts, these groups help reduce pressure on wild populations and inspire the next generation of aquatic stewards.

💧 Here's to the hobbyists who make a difference — one tank at a time.

🎥 Watch their inspiring journey: https://zurl.co/rw7oC

The Calgary Aquarium Society has been around for 75 years, with members of the group helping to re-populate endangered species.Subscribe to CTV News to watch...

01/05/2026

🌊🐠 Coral reefs aren't just stunning underwater landscapes—they're vital fish nurseries! A new study reveals that protecting coral reefs boosts fish numbers by 10%. 🌍💙

More fish means healthier oceans, thriving marine life, and stronger local economies. But how can we protect coral reefs? Here are a few ways:

✅ Sustainable fisheries management – For food and aquarium fishes
✅ Reducing pollution – Cutting down on plastic & chemical runoff
✅ Restoring coral reefs – Outplanting aquacultured corals
✅ Fighting climate change – Cutting carbon emissions to reduce ocean warming

Ready to dive into the details? 👇

https://zurl.co/3jVZQ

12/30/2025

The gang told us that they're gonna stay up ALL NIGHT LONG and party TILL THE BREAK OF DAWN on New Years Eve.

(They're nocturnal, after all...)

Can you keep up? 😎

Wherever the tide takes you this New Years Eve, make it a night to remember and may your New Year start strong, sustainable, and full of purpose. 💙

Photo courtesy of NOAA.

12/24/2025

Aquarium Fisheries is proud to stand with you in our shared commitment to empowering sustainable aquarium fisheries — supporting healthy aquatic ecosystems and the communities whose lives are intertwined with them.

Whether you’ve collaborated with us in the field, engaged in thoughtful dialogue, or simply share an interest in aquatic ecosystems and the communities connected to them — your involvement matters. Your commitment and curiosity fuel our inspiration.

We wish you a holiday season filled with peace, fulfillment, and discovery.

12/22/2025

Florida’s Marine Life Fishery Takes the Spotlight

Aquarium Fisheries Director Dr. Paul Anderson recently presented at the Florida Keys Marine Science Conference & Workshop — the largest gathering in a decade focused on the Keys’ marine ecosystem.

His talk highlighted Florida’s Marine Life Fishery as a global model for sustainable, science-based collection and introduced our new FloridaReefFish program, created with Mystic Aquarium and the Florida Marine Life Association, with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Why does this matter?

Because fishers and the Marine Life Fishery deserve a seat at the table in conversations about reef conservation. This presentation ensured their knowledge and stewardship were recognized alongside the region’s top scientists and managers.

More progress ahead — stay tuned!

Photo by M. Lehmensiek/FWC.

12/17/2025

Testing What Works: Site Visits That Drive Impact

This past Fall, the FloridaReefFish team—comprised of partners from Mystic Aquarium, Aquarium Fisheries, and the Florida Marine Life Association, conducted test site visits of the holding facilities of select marine aquarium fishers in the Florida Keys.

These visits are helping us fine-tune how we assess, tailor, and deliver educational programming—right where fishers work. One-on-one dialogue, trust, and practical relevance are at the heart of this evolving model. 🐟📈

The FloridaReefFish program is made possible with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

12/15/2025

A new study published by Evolutionary Ecologists at UC Davis shows with high-speed video for the first time that the reef fishes Zanclus cornutus (Moorish idol) and related surgeonfishes--popular in the marine aquarium trade--can move their jawbones sideways as well as up and down. This ability is very uncommon among vertebrate animals and may have helped these fish become dominant herbivores on reefs.

Read the full story here: https://zurl.co/06XVh

Photo by Getty Images

12/10/2025

FloridaReefFish Launches at FMLA Fall Meeting!

This fall, marine aquarium fishers, scientists, and partners gathered under the Tiki hut at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters to launch the FloridaReefFish program—a bold step in empowering Florida’s marine aquarium fishers through hands-on learning, collaboration, and sustainability.

We're grateful to our partners at Mystic Aquarium, the Florida Marine Life Association, and funders at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for making it all possible. This is just the beginning.

12/08/2025

Read the full story here: https://zurl.co/iBPcL

12/03/2025

Honoring the Legacy of a Visionary Leader in Marine Conservation

It is with deep sorrow and profound respect that we share the passing of Mrs. Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley, Founder and Executive Director of the LINI Foundation. Last month, the world lost a powerful force for marine conservation, ethical fisheries, and community empowerment.

Gayatri was a visionary, mentor, and catalyst for sustainable change in Indonesia's marine world. Through her leadership at LINI, she transformed local livelihoods and set a new global standard for how ethical, community-based reef fisheries can work in harmony with nature.

At Aquarium Fisheries, we are honored to have collaborated closely with Gayatri and her team on IndoReefFish — a trailblazing Fisheries Improvement Project built on transparency, ecological stewardship, and empowerment of fisher communities. This program continues to evolve as a model for how marine aquarium supply chains can and should work: putting people and planet first.

Gayatri's passion, tenacity, and dedication inspired everyone she touched. Her work will continue to ripple across oceans and generations. We extend our deepest condolences to the LINI team, her family, and all those who had the privilege to work alongside her.

In memory of Gayatri, we recommit ourselves to the values she championed: sustainability, equity, and dignity for our oceans and the communities that depend on them. Her light lives on in the reefs she protected, the lives she uplifted, and the movement she helped spark.

You can learn more about Yayasan LINI here: https://zurl.co/UahLl

12/01/2025

🐟 Cleaner Fish: Nature’s Unsung Heroes for Fish Health

Did you know cleaner fish don’t just give your aquarium fish a spa day, but that they also play a vital role in maintaining healthy microbial communities on fish skin?

From the coral reefs to aquaria, these little helpers remove parasites and re-balance microbial communities, supporting the fish's mucus barrier and overall immune function.

Their ecological value goes far beyond what meets the eye. Think of them as underwater caretakers—balancing ecosystems, one gentle nibble at a time.

📖 Dive into the full article here: https://zurl.co/rNm7A

Photo credit: P.W. Jacobson (CC BY-NC 2.0 )