Tank Talk Magazine June 2010 | Page 18

17 What is the CDAS Species Conservation Program all about? If you have an opportunity to read through the CDAS breeders? award records you will come across dozens of species that were once common in the local aquarium hobby but are now difficult to find. If you are lucky enough to find some they are often of poor quality, or prohibitively expensive. The CDAS committee wanted to do something about this and the idea of a CDAS Species Conservation project was spawned. The aim of the CDAS Species Conservation project is to increase the availability and diversity of good quality aquarium fishes within the local hobby. Affordability and conservation of endangered or threatened species are also major elements of the program. Who can participate? If you?re a novice breeder or don?t yet have a breeders? status, get breeding and submit your Breeding/Spawning Registration forms for the Breeders Award Program. Intermediate status can be reached by breeding as few as three or four different species. Level 1 species will be available to breeders with Intermediate, Advanced, Senior, Master, Senior Master or Grand Master status. Level 2 species will be available to breeders with Senior, Master, Senior Master or Grand Master status. Level 3 species will be available to breeders with Senior Master or Grand Master status after they have successfully bred a level 1 or level 2 species. If you?re not sure of your current breeders? status, check with the CDAS Breeders? Award Chairperson. For further information on the Species Conservation or Breeders Award Programs visit the CDAS Website: http://drupal.cdas.org.au/