MSI Public Lecture Series

Some of the practices used to collect marine ornamental (aquarium) organisms are destructive to coral reef ecosystems. Marine ornamental aquaculture could indirectly protect some coral reef ecosystems. Many marine ornamental organisms have extremely complex life histories, making it nearly impossible to breed them in captivity. Recent developments in larval nutrition and tank design have made it possible to raise some marine ornamental organisms in captivity. At the University of Texas Marine Science Institute we are developing techniques to spawn and raise a popular marine ornamental organism in captivity, the fire shrimp (Lysmata debelius). Development of this technology could provide the foundation for commercial production of fire shrimp and may reduce the demand for wild collected fire shrimp and indirectly preserve some coral reef ecosystems.

The free lecture will be held at 7 p.m. in the Visitor Center of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, and the public is invited to attend.