The Human-Animal Relationship and Geographic Elements
Humans have had one of the deepest relationships with animals. Pet ownership is one of the methods used to increase the human-animal relationship. Some of the favorite pets include dogs, cats, and birds. However, Wabnitz, Taylor, Green and Razak (2003), argue that the ownership of marine aquaria is becoming one of the fastest growing hobbies. Tropical fish, for example, goldfish, clownfish, mosquito fish, and zebrafish, are some of the most common fish in aquariums.
According to Cato and Brown (2008), the hobby is creating an enormous challenge in regulating and monitoring the breeding and trade in tropical fish. Researchers have identified several benefits of keeping tropical fish including beauty, emotional support, educational, and therapeutic. However, these reasons evoke ethical, geographical, power, and economic concerns. The relationship interferes with the natural habitats of fish, relationship between countries and the economic wellbeing of different communities.
Tropical fish are kept for their beauty and as a form of art. For example, the Siamese fighting fish are kept as decorations because of their unique fins and different colorations on their body. Additionally, the goldfish and the mosquito fish have unique colorations that attract buyers and fish enthusiasts. The tropical fish have been associated with creating a therapeutic atmosphere that helps people to relax and reduce stress. According to Huntingford (2013), the experience of watching colored tropical fish in an aquarium relaxes the mind and relieves stress. The smooth movement of fish fins and colored tails creates harmony and helps stressed people to relax.
Tropical fish are used as presents for children interested in having live versions of animated characters. For example, some animated movies feature goldfish and other kinds of tropical fish. The experience with animated tropical fish compels children to ask for live fish, which they treat like the animated characters. Researchers have associated the observation of fish behaviors with enhanced cognitive skills. Children who cared for goldfish were better in understanding animal behavior compared to those whose homes did not have aquariums. Additionally, fish ownership has been associated with a higher esteem among children because of the aspect of control and dominance. Despite these benefits, keeping tropical fish as pets has multiple implications.
One of the ethical implications of the human-animal relationships is in regards to the public perception of fish as a form of art. It is unethical to consider living things as objects of beauty. Fish are intelligent animals that communicate using instincts and unique sounds (Braithwaite, 2010). The zebrafish is one of the most brilliant tropical fish with advanced DNA structures. Its advanced brainpower has made it one of the models for human research. Additionally, the tropical fish are treated as disposable commodity that can be replaced or killed. When children acquire goldfish, mosquito fish or Siamese fighting fish, they tend to relate the live beings to the animated characters in movies. For example, the movie, Finding Nemo compels children to flush mosquito and goldfish down a toilet with aims of replicating the freeing actions found in the movie.
The process of harvesting goldfish, mosquito fish, Siamese fighting fish, zebra fish, and the clownfish from corals to aquariums leads to the death of thousands or millions of the species. Braithwaite (2010) states that illegal harvesters use cyanide to create temporary numbness for easy capture. Most of the fish harvesters lack basic skills in appropriate harvesting techniques and in handling the toxic chemicals. In addition to the death experienced when harvesting, the transportation processes are usually torturous and inappropriate for the fish species. For example, the Siamese fighting fish, which are native to Asia, are transported in cups and flower vases.
Additionally, goldfish and mosquito fish are transported using substandard plastic bags that limit air circulation and access to food. These species, most of which are native to the southern United States are wrongly perceived to be tolerant to low-oxygen environments. The process of creating an attractive aquarium requires a collection of different reefs and corals to create an impression of the ocean. These requirements lead to the destruction of corals in a process known as reef farming.
The human-animal relationship affects the geographical elements of space and location. According to Urbanik (2012), a space is defined as unspecified location that lacks social connections for humans. Spaces are usually uninhabited by humans and lack concrete structures or definable features. When the elements of space are inhabited, they become a place. The ocean serves as the space for the tropical fish. However, the corals are the definite place for the species, and they require specific water conditions to survive. The aquarium environment is not only small but lacks the specific conditions found in the corals. When the natural place is altered, the species survive only for a short period before succumbing to diseases and the artificial water conditions.
According to Cato et al. (2008), the trade in tropical fish generates power struggles and imbalances between the importing and exporting communities. Harvesting some of the species of tropical fish is prohibited in some countries. However, some countries in Asia do not have effective policies to protect the endangered species. The economic returns generated from the trade in tropical fish have been growing steadily over the last ten years.
The growth has been perceived as a promising investment opportunity that can sustain the economies of some countries. According to Wabnitz et al. (2003), the price of a clownfish is $0.10 in Indonesia while the same species cost over $12.50. The difference creates one of the serious economic and social implications of keeping tropical fish. The relationship has also led to power struggles between policy makers and environmentalists. Aquarium investors have always been pushing for the legalization of large-scale breeding sites for tropical fish. However, environmentalists have been fighting against these policies because they have a significant effect on corals and reefs.
Explanation of Personal Findings
Humans have always perceived the Goldfish, mosquito fish, and the Siamese fighting fish as beautification species because of their color varieties and unique structures of the fins and tails. Additionally, the harmonious movements of the fins and tail of the goldfish and the Siamese fighting fish make humans relax by acting as a natural stress therapy. Children who make regular observations on any of the species have a better understanding of animal behavior compared to those without an aquarium at home. Additionally, the mosquito fish has been believed to control mosquitoes. Investors use these positive perceptions to encourage and advocate for the breeding of the tropical species. Some humans keep the tropical fish for consumption. Additionally, goldfish and the Siamese fighting fish have been perceived as presents for children. The perceptions subject the fish to some child-based hostility as they try to play around or imitate some scenes from animated animal movies.
One of the lessons from the human perceptions is that humans are selfish beings. According to Cato et al. (2008), humans are driven by actions and investments that benefit them. In fact, most humans would only protect the species if there were a direct threat to the economic and socio-political domain. They use the colorful species to please their families and as beauty objects. According to an analysis by Darwin of human and animal emotions, animals are intelligent and have feelings (Bekoff, 2007).
In fact, the goldfish, zebrafish, and the Siamese fighting fish are very intelligent species. They communicate and understand their territories better than we do. Additionally, when they are transferred from their natural habitats to confined environments, they become lonely, scared, scared and stressed. The small aquarium space limits their movement and physical behavior. Some of these factors cause the species to fight. For example, the goldfish and Siamese fighting fish fight regularly when confined in an aquarium environment. The natural environment is full of activities that define the behavioral adaptations of these species.
It is not fair to confine the tropical species to an aquarium environment (Braithwaite, 2010). Although humans provide food, regulate the temperature of the environment, and protect the fish from attack by other sea species, the aquarium environment interferes with the natural growth and stimuli processes of these tropical fish. Additionally, humans should not use other animals to amuse themselves because the animals have a right to their natural habitats. The species should be protected in their natural habitats where they facilitate the growth of corals. Humans should learn to respect other animals by protecting their natural habitats and using them only when necessary.
Personal Geography Influences
The northern American culture is gradually embracing the ownership of ownership of marine aquaria as one of the popular and common hobbies. Despite the drastic reduction in the population of some major species of tropical fish, humans are biased towards economic and artistic values of the fish (Bekoff, 2007). Currently, there is a high demand for the goldfish, mosquito fish, clownfish, and the Siamese fighting fish for their beauty. Additionally, the zebrafish has been popular in research aquariums because of its unique genes. Some investors have opened large breeding sites for these unique species with aims of supplying to the expanding markets. The northern American region is popular for its fishing culture that has been influential in policy formulation.
The communities consider fish as food and rarely respect their freedom. The bias also extends to biological studies and economic perspectives. The communities usually rear fish for sale. Their harvesting techniques are very harsh and result in the death of thousands of fingerlings. The business of harvesting and importing tropical fish species for aquarium owners is growing very fast. Additionally, the profits are very high, and the markets are growing every year.
These benefits are creating biases among policy makers who support the trade because of the economic benefits and enhanced integration with Asian countries. When the tropical species are introduced to the northern American environment, most of them fail to adapt and die very fast (Urbanik, 2012). The few fishes that survive become dull and lonely. These changes demonstrate that most of our communities disrespect the life of tropical fish. Effective protective strategies should be implemented to protect and sustain the lives of the remaining species.
References
Bekoff, M. (2007). The Emotional Lives of Animals: a leading scientist explores animal joy, sorrow, and empathy, and why they matter. Novato, CA: New World Library. Web.
Braithwaite, V. (2010). Do fish feel pain? Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Web.
Cato, J. C., & Brown, C. L. (2008). Marine ornamental species: collection, culture and conservation. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Web.
Huntingford, F. A. (2013). Implication of domestication and rearing conditions for the behavior of cultivated fishes. Journal of Fish Biology, 65, 122-142. Web.
Urbanik, J. (2012). Placing Animals, An Introduction to the Geography of Human-Animal Relations. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Web.
Wabnitz, C., Taylor, M., Green, E., & Razak, T. (2003). From Ocean to Aquarium. Cambridge, United Kingdom: UNEP-WCMC. Web.