Aquarists spread an appreciation of our amazing marine environments to people far from the reef's edge. In large part our modern environmental crisis comes from the pressures that huge urban populations put on the natural world.
It's not easy for people in the middle of a city to see the connection between their lifestyles and the collapse of the environment.
The important role that aquarists and public aquaria play is to build enthusiasm and appreciation of the marine world on which we all depend.