There is not a continent on earth whose waters and fishes have not been affected by the devastation and destruction caused by deforestation, pollution, agrochemical run-off, overfishing, global warming, and political unrest, all to the great misfortune of those fishes that remain in their natural habitats. As these tragedies to earth are occurring more rapidly than even the most paramount attempts at intervention can match, captive breeding of species at risk, both within the country of origin and outside the country of origin, has become the quintessential answer for both short-term and long-term preservation goals.

Through the sovereign work of dedicated scientists such as conservation champion Dr. Paul V. Loiselle, the hobbyist now plays a critical role in the favorable outlook of conservation priority fishes. If each one of us dedicates at least one existing aquarium or sets up one new aquarium with the intent of devoting that tank space to a species at risk, the aquarium hobby as a whole has the opportunity to make a major impact in ensuring a positive future for these fishes. The CARES Preservation Program is a universal means by which, together, we can achieve this goal of success.

As your society or organization embarks on CARES, please know that we are here and always happy to help you in any way we can! Thank you for your invaluable contribution towards preserving our fishes for generations to come! We can and we are making a difference!

Claudia and the CARES Team