PROTECTING THE CORAL REEFS ONE FISH AT A TIME

Raising tropical fish is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the aquaculture industry in Maine. Nevertheless, Sea & Reef Aquaculture, a company specializing in aquaculture of marine ornamental fish is thriving in Downeast Maine. On any given day thousands of small brightly colored fish dart about in the numerous indoor warm water tanks. The fish are sold to pet stores and distributors nationwide, and even exported to overseas destinations, including the UK, Canada and China. Soren Hansen, a native of Denmark, started the company when he was a graduate student at the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences.

The idea was born out of environmental concerns. Each year, about 30 million fish are collected from coral reefs around the world for the marine aquarium hobby. Unethical collection methods, including the use of poisonous sodium cyanide, and the stress of shipping fish long distances results in mortality rates of 80-90% of wild collected fish. In contrast, the captive-bred fish from Sea & Reef are healthy and already accustomed to tank conditions and aquarium type diets when purchased at pet stores. Captive-bred fish are environmentally sustainable.

In 2011, when Hansen finished his Ph.D. graduate work, Sea & Reef was relocated to the Center for Coop- erative Aquaculture Research in Franklin, where it is leasing a 12,000 sq. ft. facility from the University of Maine. It might seem counterintuitive to place a tropical fish hatchery in Maine, but with the help of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in a bio-secure and insulated facility, it makes sense. Currently almost 100 different fish species and color morphs are being raised at the Franklin facility. The most popular fish are clownfish such as the one portrayed in the Disney movie “Finding Nemo,” but other families of fish cultured include Dottybacks, Blennies, Damselfish and Cardinalfish. The company has even developed clownfish with unique color patterns through selective breeding. These “designer Clownfish” are in high demand and have names such as “Maine Blizzard Clownfish,” “Maine Mocha Clownfish” and “Black Ice Clownfish.”

The reference to Maine is not by mistake. Maine is a vacationland full of beautiful nature and clean oceanwater, which compliments the sustainable and environmentally friendly nature of Sea & Reef’s captive-bred fish. Home pride.

The company growth has been significant, from 2 fulltime employees in 2011 to 10 full-time employees now. Several of the company’s biological staff graduated from

COURTESY OF SEA & REEF AQUACULTURE

the University of Maine and The University of New England. It is a fun place to work for a fish enthusiast and the employee retention rate is high. The two first hires are still with the company. Hatchery manager Brandon Weik and assistant hatchery manager Jonathan Labrecque who have been with the company for 14 and 13 years respectively. If you are interested in learning more about the company or think you might be the next Sea & Reef employee, you can find out more on their website: www.seaandreef.com.