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Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes

Help us build the "Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes" in Iquitos, Peru

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Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes

Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes

Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes

Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes

Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes

Help us build the "Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes" in Iquitos, Peru

Help us build the "Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes" in Iquitos, Peru

Help us build the "Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes" in Iquitos, Peru

Help us build the "Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes" in Iquitos, Peru

Anthony Mazeroll
Anthony Mazeroll
Anthony Mazeroll
Anthony Mazeroll
1 Campaign |
Iquitos, Peru
$4,025 USD 45 backers
26% of $15,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

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.


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.

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. 

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

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.

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Choose your Perk

Student

$5 USD
You will get a thank you posted on our Facebook page.
Estimated Shipping
December 2014
1 claimed

Technician

$25 USD
You will be sent a thank you card acknowledging your contribution.
Estimated Shipping
February 2015
10 claimed

Scientist

$100 USD
You will be sent an "Amazon Research Center" cap
Estimated Shipping
February 2015
12 claimed

Ecologist

$250 USD
You will be sent an "Amazon Research Center" t-shirt and cap.
Estimated Shipping
February 2015
2 claimed

Aquarist

$1,000 USD
We will name one of our research ponds after you, or anyone you want to honor. In addition, you will be sent an "Amazon Research Center" t-shirt and cap.
Estimated Shipping
February 2015
1 out of 30 of claimed

Explorer

$2,500 USD
You and a guest will be invited to Iquitos and help sample the rivers in the area. We will provide 7 nights accommodation (double occupancy), as well as accompanying us on 5 days of field work (you will be responsible to arrange and pay for your own flight. The collecting trip usually takes place in August, which is the low water season). Additionally, you will be sent an "Amazon Research Center" t-shirt and cap.
Estimated Shipping
August 2015
0 claimed

Partner

$10,000 USD
We will name one of the rooms at the center after you, or anyone you want to honor. Additionally, you will be sent an "Amazon Research Center" t-shirt and cap.
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
0 out of 10 of claimed

Sponsoring Laureate

$50,000 USD
We will name one of the buildings at the center after you, or anyone you want to honor. Additionally, you will be sent an "Amazon Research Center" t-shirt and cap.
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
0 out of 4 of claimed

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