THE
BACKGROUND
The
Amazon basin is being threatened by an ever-increasing encroachment by
man. More specific, the Amazon River and its tributaries are being
threatened by: loss of habitat due to development in and harvesting of the
forests; slash and burn agricultural practices; clearing of land for mining
purposes; introduction of exotic species for food purposes; drought; and over
fishing. Not only is the physical environment being affected, but so is the
aquatic life in the area.
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One
of the regions hardest hit by this encroachment is the Peruvian Amazon.
Over 85% of the approximate 900 freshwater fish species of Peru are found
within the Amazon basin, with 30% found only in Peru. Many of these fish are exported for the aquarium trade, further reducing their
numbers in the region
The
aquarium trade is a multimillion-dollar business for some of the poorest areas
of Peru where most other business opportunities do not exist. In 2013,
over 400 metric tons of live aquarium fishes were exported out of the Peruvian
Amazon basin to the United States and Southeast Asia (primarily Japan) bringing
in $3.4 million. Money goes
directly into the local fishing communities, creating revenue that would
otherwise have to be sought by cutting down the forests.
Because of unregulated logging, mining and environmental degradation, fish populations are decreasing. If this continues, the entire ecosystem will suffer. In addition. economies
of villages which rely on the fish for their livelihood will be devastated.
WHO
WE ARE
In
2009, myself and 2 fish biologist from Iquitos, Peru purchased 2 acres of land from
the pueblo of 31 de Mayo in order to build a research facility devoted to the research
of sustainable breeding, diseases, ecology, and conservation of ornamental
fishes (Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes). This will
be the FIRST research facility solely devoted to ornamental fishes. This land, located 10 km southwest of
Iquitos, had previously been cleared for the construction of homes and is ideal
for the research center as a natural spring flows year round through the
land. This natural spring water is not used for drinking water as the
government has built wells throughout the village for household use.
The Team
Anthony I. Mazeroll, Ph.D.
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Dr. Mazeroll received his Ph.D. from Northern Arizona University in the field of zoology. His research was on the daily migratory behavior of coral-reef fish in the Red Sea. After graduating, he continued to work in the Red Sea and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Jordan in 1999. Dr, Mazeroll was a professor of Biology at West Texas A&M University 8 years. He has been at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, CA since 2002. At Soka, Dr. Mazeroll teaches courses in Sustainable Aquaculture, Fish Biology, Aquatic Conservation, Freshwater Biology, Alien Invaders, and Marine Biology. He began working in the Amazon in 2004 and continues today where his research centers on the impacts of invasive species on the aquatic ecosystem. As a hobby, he has been breeding and raising tropical freshwater fishes for over 40 years.
Carlos Chuquipiondo G.
Mr. Chuquipiondo has been involved in the fish industry in Peru for over 20 years.
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After graduating from the Universidad Nacional de Amazonia Peruana with a bachelors degree in Aquaculture, he began working at FONDEPES (the Peruvian national fish hatcheries). After 5 years, he started working for the tropical fish industry. For many years he was the general manager at Stingray Aquarium, the largest fish exporter in Iquitos, over seeing all operations of the aquarium. He now is the general manager of Amazon Tropicals Aquarium in Iquitos. Carlos has been invited to give lectures in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil on the aquarium industry. Additionally, Carlos breeds 20 different varieties of aquarium fishes.
Fernando Carlos Ramos E., M.S.Mr. Ramos is a specialist in tropical fish diseases. He has a certification in Veterinary medicine from the National University in San Marcos, Peru. In addition, he has a Masters degree of fish pathology from the same university. Fernando was
an intern at Stingray Aquarium for two years before taking a job veterinarian/fish
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disease specialist and inspector for the Peruvian Ministry of Fisheries.
WHAT
WE PLAN TO DO AT THE RESEARCH CENTER
The facility will be a tool used by
faculty and students from all over the world.
We currently have students conducting research at the facility for both their
undergraduate and Master degree programs from the Universidad
Nacional de Amazonia Peruanain and Soka University of America. The center will be open to scientists
throughout the globe to conduct research on ecology and conservation of local
fishes. We hope to help develop sustainable aquaculture practices of
local aquarium fishes and share that information with local fish farmers
resulting in the reduction of fish being extracted from the surrounding waterways.
In addition, the pathology lab will undertake research on the diseases that are
commonly found in the ornamental fish trade in Iquitos. The information
on prevention and treatments of these diseases will again be disseminated to
the stakeholders in Iquitos.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
With your help, we can begin working on
phase 1 of our 3 phase building plan. Phase1 entails the building of
laboratories and all research ponds. In total, it will take an estimated $100,000.00
to complete all phases. With the $15,000 we are seeking in our initial
fundraising, we can complete Phase 1. Any additional funds raised, will be
designated to building phase 2, the lecture hall and museum/education center. The final phase, phase 3 will be the building
of the dormitories.
REMEMBER, ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
For those who have PayPal, donations can be sent to the PayPal account of amazonresearchcenter@gmail.com. You will still be eligible to the perks and will still be tax deductible.
THANK YOU and MUCHAS GRACIAS.