Why the Species Maintenance Program was initiated:

The best solution to any problem is a win - win solution,

in this case more like a gain - gain.  Many fish are threatened

with extinction and need help.  Aquarists would like to obtain the

species of their interests, an impossible feat at times.  One

reason is that the desired fish became extinct.  With increasing

human population and rate of resource use, many species are

threatened to some extent.  This program, as part of a

larger network, can safeguard the availability of fish and

provide captive populations should wild stock become

extirpated, benefiting aquarists and biodiversity.

Sometimes a rare species of fish will become available

locally.  The first to submit fry for the Breeder Award Program is

entitled to some bragging rights.  Others then obtain offspring and

soon acquire B.A.P. points.  The fish can become common locally.

In the following years, waning of interest can go unnoticed,

 especially on the national level, until someone finds that there

 are no fish to be had. 

The threats to wild populations are varied and deceptive.

Fish can be over collected.  They can be caught in political battles

or their status taken for granted.  Habitat can be destroyed to

make room for living or farming.  Water can be taken for human use

or restricted by dams.  Many fish require a few floods to

restock isolated bodies of water.  Pollution due to erosion,

chemical use, or industrial accidents can eliminate a

thriving fish population.  A non native species can predate

or out compete native species for territories and food sources.

Human activity can change the environment on a local or

global scale.  Much can be done to protect the biological

diversity on our planet.  The last sliver of hope for many species

is to have a captive population.