How much of our oceans reefs are destroyed by our hobby?

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Just a note when looking at data, make sure to have more up to date data. Sometimes in these documents we forget to look at the dates they were done. I know more modern practice over the last 10 years is more mariculture/aquaculture, so less impact on the reefs themselves. You can also look into the non-profit reef recovery places that could have some actual data also. They track bleaching and disease on the reefs.
Coral Reef Alliance
Coral Reef Restoration
etc.

thanks for the names! I have been looking at publication dates as much as they are provided.

 

[Gabe]

Impressive writing for a middle schooler! Not surprised a previous poster confused you for being in university!

Far from scientific, but Jake Adams of Reef Builders talks about this on occasion in his podcast. His answer will usually be "none" but he occasionally provides sources and maybe some counterpoints to steer you.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Impressive writing for a middle schooler! Not surprised a previous poster confused you for being in university!

Far from scientific, but Jake Adams of Reef Builders talks about this on occasion in his podcast. His answer will usually be "none" but he occasionally provides sources and maybe some counterpoints to steer you.

Thanks!

I have heard of his podcast but never actually sat down to listen, I will check it out.

 

[MnFish1]

If I were you I would focus on specific cases/places/species where legitimate scientific studies have been done. It's impossible to say in general that the reef hobby has damaged the oceans coral reefs (too broad), but it is possible to say that the reef hobby threatened the Bangaii Cardinalfish with extinction. You could look into the reasons behind import bans on livestock, corals, and live rock (e.g. why isn't Fiji live rock available any more?). I'm sure many of these bans are backed up by studies studying the impact of collection on reefs. In addition, you could look at the impact of the introduction of invasive fish (e.g. lionfish in the Atlantic) caused by reef owners.

No IMHO you cannot