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Killifish Conservation Program

There has been much discussion on KilliTalk regarding various killies in 
the conservation program.  Many AKA members and affiliate associations have 
expressed an interest in maintaining species for the Killifish Conservation 
Committee (KCC) and the membership.

For those who are not familiar with the KCC, the purpose of the KCC is a 
cooperative effort on the part of members of the American Killifish 
Association to preserve a representative example of the Killifish fauna for 
future generations.  The mission of the KCC is to promote, stimulate, 
motivate, and otherwise educate AKA members about conservation and how it 
can become an interesting part of the hobby.

The program is initiated with the following target genera:  Aphyosemion, 
Archiaphyosemion/Scriptaphyosemion, Fundulopanchax, Cynolebias and related 
genera, Epiplatys, Notobranchius and Rivulus.

Also implemented within the KCC is the Emergency Survival Program 
(ESP).  The ESP and a supporting subcommittee is tasked with identifying 
species that are endangered or already extinct in the wild.  This program 
is specifically targeted to organize a captive breeding program to conserve 
them in the AKA.  While an overall ESP Coordinator is yet to be named, this 
[program coupled with ESP Species Team will ensure those identified species 
are maintained within the hobby.  The ESP breeding team is a volunteer 
group of expert or dedicated killifish breeders who are organized as a 
standby unit ready to provide resources and breeding expertise immediately 
upon receipt of ESP target species.  The team members are appointed by the 
ESP Coordinator, and are charged with the task of establishing a stable 
population of the ESP target species as quickly as possible.

There are species that are now in need to become part of the ESP target 
species.  However, it is important that a killi that is subject to become 
part of the ESP, be approved by the ESP and KCC Chairman.  Communications 
to the KCC and ESP is vital in order to keep accurate records of the target 
species and those AKA members who are actively involved in their maintenance.

Charles Nunziata, now the subcommittee coordinator for Epiplatys 
group,  will be phasing up to the Killifish Committee Chairman.  If you 
want to be actively involved with species maintenance or you feel a killi 
is a candidate for the ESP program, please contact Charles so that the 
proper steps can be taken.  It is important that AKA members keep the lines 
of communication open with the KCC in order to be implemented on the roster 
so that accurate records and tracking can be maintained.

The KCC will inform the AKA membership of the status of killifish habits, 
giving special attention to areas that are threatened by human 
activities.  The reports will be published, as appropriate, in the JAKA, 
the BNL, or in the KCC Newsletter.

Let's face it... The natural environment not only for killies is being 
destroyed, but all forms of life is endangered on our planet.  The KCC and 
ESP are the AKA's way taking steps in the right direction.  Lets work 
together to keep killies alive in our hobby!

Greg A. Simpson
KCC Communications Chairman


       < 1  ~~~1 Killi, 2 Killi, 3 Killi, More! ~~~  2 >
   < 3  ~~~Now my tanks are from the ceiling to the floor!~~~  4>


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