Help build a Research Center
THE BACKGROUND
The local fisherman in Iquitos, Peru have been going through a tremendous amount of struggle in the past few years. Many of waters that they fish in for the aquarium industry are being threatened by loss of habitat due to development in and harvesting of the forests, slash and burn agricultural practices, clearing of land for mining purposes, introduction of exotic species for food purposes; drought (even though this is a rainforest area a few years ago they had the worst drought in over a 100 years), devastating floods, and over fishing. Because of these factors, most of the fishermen live well below the poverty line in Peru.
This research center will be used as an educational tool for the fisherman to help them develop techniques to breed and raise there own fish during the times when fish are not available. WE ARE THE FIRST RESEARCH CENTER DEVOTED 100% TO THE CONSERVATION, ECOLOGY, AND SUSTAINABLE BREEDING OF AMAZONIAN AQUARIUM FISHES.
Although the aquarium trade is a multimillion-dollar business, 99% of this money never finds it way to the fisherman. A fish that may cost us $300 in the west, is sold by the fishermen to the fish exporters for less than a $1.00.
WHO WE ARE
In 2009, myself and 2 fish biologist from Iquitos, Peru purchased 2 acres of land from the pueblo of 31 de Mayo in order to build a research facility devoted to the research of sustainable breeding, diseases, ecology, and conservation of ornamental fishes (Amazon Research Center for Ornamental Fishes). This is the FIRST research facility solely devoted to ornamental fishes. This land, located 10 km southwest of Iquitos, had previously been cleared for the construction of homes and is ideal for the research center as a natural spring flows year round through the land. This natural spring water is not used for drinking water as the government has built wells throughout the village for household use.
THE TEAM
Anthony I. Mazeroll, Ph.D.
Dr. Mazeroll received his Ph.D. from Northern Arizona University in the field of zoology. His research was on the daily migratory behavior of coral-reef fish in the Red Sea. After graduating, he continued to work in the Red Sea and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Jordan in 1999. Dr, Mazeroll was a professor of Biology at West Texas A&M University 8 years. He has been at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, CA since 2002. At Soka, Dr. Mazeroll teaches courses in Sustainable Aquaculture, Fish Biology, Aquatic Conservation, Freshwater Biology, Alien Invaders, and Marine Biology. He began working in the Amazon in 2004 and continues today where his research centers on the impacts of invasive species on the aquatic ecosystem. As a hobby, he has been breeding and raising tropical freshwater fishes for over 40 years.
Carlos Chuquipiondo G.
Mr. Chuquipiondo has been involved in the fish industry in Peru for over 20 years. After graduating from the Universidad Nacional de Amazonia Peruana with a bachelor's degree in Aquaculture, he began working at FONDEPES (the Peruvian national fish hatcheries). After 5 years, he started working for the tropical fish industry. For many years Carlos has been the general manager of fish production at one of the largest fish exporter in Iquitos, over seeing all operations of the aquarium. Additionally, Carlos breeds 20 different varieties of aquarium fishes on his farm outside of Iquitos.
The Amazon Research Center will be a tool used by faculty and students from all over the world. We currently have students conducting research at the facility for both their undergraduate and Master degree programs from the Universidad Nacional de Amazonia Peruana and Soka University of America. The center will be open to scientists throughout the globe to conduct research on ecology and conservation of local fishes. We hope to help develop sustainable aquaculture practices of local aquarium fishes and share that information with local fish farmers resulting in the reduction of fish being extracted from the surrounding waterways. In addition, the pathology lab will undertake research on the diseases that are commonly found in the ornamental fish trade in Iquitos. The information on prevention and treatments of these diseases will again be disseminated to the stakeholders in Iquitos.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
With your help, we continue working on phase 1 of our 3 phase building plan. Phase1 entails the building of laboratories and all research ponds. In total, it will take an estimated $100,000.00 to complete all phases. With the $10,000 we are seeking in this fundraising campaign, we can complete Phase 1. Any additional funds raised, will be designated to building phase 2, the lecture hall and museum/education center. The final phase, phase 3 will be the building of the dormitories.
All monies go directly to the Amazon Research Center in Iquitos. We have NO overhead in the USA as all of the Board of Directors are volunteers.
REMEMBER, ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS WE ARE A 501(c)3 non-profit.
THANK YOU y MUCHAS GRACIAS.