After reading some responses I got via email on the rift between aquarists and conservationists, along with replies to some dialogue on other blogs tackling the topic, I thought it was important to address some facets of this discussion. Some of the comments came from those who understand that being a private reef aquarist isn’t conservation, while also realizing that we as reef aquarists aren’t scientists actively working to preserve natural coral reefs. Others, the majority, were quite the contrary and I feel emphasize why the hobby and reef aquarists have been implicated in conservation rulings, while becoming the target of conservation groups. A common message in both emails and online dialogue is that science that suggests coral species are threatened is hogwash, unreliable and rife with political nuisance about a sudden legislative interest in climate change. Several emails I received suggest that all of this is part of a greater plan by the Obama administration, to limit the role of industry in the environment to transition America into a sociologist state. Other comments came from folks who believe science has become like a religion, and that anyone who speaks out against it is immediately discredited. They also suggested that government bodies are using science to push through legislation that has the greater purpose of controlling Americans, at the same time denying that climate change and coral reef decline are realities. Some people believed that reef aquarists have been demonized and that those in power aren’t seeing enough economic kick-back from our industry to simply leave us alone, blaming PIJAC for not lining enough pockets in Washington. 
My personal political beliefs have nothing to do with reef keeping. I will say that in the eyes of government agencies, it’s beyond the layperson’s capacity to comment on the reality of climate change, or its potential causes (whether natural or man-made). Science, for the most part, is objective. Scientists set-out to measure and test something, learning about the systems at play and forging theories on what could spur different outcomes. Honestly, I don’t think NOAA scientists care whether the reef aquarium industry continues or not. They were tasked in revealing the role of specific coral species in reef ecosystems, identifying those species and determining whether or not those species were endangered or threatened. When that was done and submitted, PIJAC submitted science that suggested not all the species listed were truly threatened, which was taken into account reducing the species listed under the ESA.… More:
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