Jacinta is a science student with a passion for the environment and conservation. She has experience with scientific research projects and education with the Marine Discovery Centre (Henley Beach), International Students Volunteers in Africa and anemonefish breeding programs. Jacinta has a double BA degree in marine biology and aquaculture from Flinders University. She is currently doing her honours in reproductive behaviours of anemonefish at Flinders University
We are Saving Nemo.
Over 1 million clownfish are taken from the reef every year for aquariums. In some areas they are now going extinct from overcollection and coral bleaching. The good news is that clownfish breed often in captivity.
Our solution is to supply aquarium stores with captive bred clownfish, educate consumers and lead scientific research to protect wild clownfish.
We exist to protect clownfish for future generations.
OUR TEAM
ANITA NEDOSYKO
CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR
Anita is a marine biologist at Flinders University and a social entrepreneur. She established Saving Nemo in 2009 whilst working at an aquarium store and was shocked to witness the increase in demand to have a pet clownfish following the release of the film Finding Nemo. Now six years later she continues to research clownfish and drive the vision of the organisation to stop harvesting these iconic species from the wild for aquariums. She has a keen interest in citizen science projects and has been educating people about clownfish since 2009 and has co-authored a book chapter on the symbiosis of clownfish and anemones. She is also co-founder and managing director of The Universal Coach
JULIE-ANNE POPPLE
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OUTREACH
Julie-Anne is a science educator who is passionate about learning and teaching science, particularly with primary school students. She has previously worked in science outreach and education with CSIRO education, Forestry NSW, The University of Sydney and the Marine Discovery Centre (Bondi Beach). Julie-Anne has a PhD in Entomology from the University of Sydney and a BSc (Hons 1st class) from the University of Queensland. She is currently doing a Masters of Teaching (Primary) at Flinders University.
DIRECTOR OF AQUACULTURE
Jian is a Professor of aquaculture and has a PhD in Zoology from the Ohio State University. He has pioneered world-class aquaculture research at Flinders University since 1997. He is a leading authority in aquaculture and provides his expertise in larval clownfish success, production efficiency and optimising economic returns.
LESLIE MORRISON
HEAD OF BREEDING PROGRAM
Leslie has been breeding and caring for our clownfish since 2005. She has authored a guide to breeding and raising clownfish in collaboration with Flinders University academics and students. Her focus on diet, environmental enrichment and minimal interference has enabled us to supply aquarium stores and support further research. When not raising Clownfish with a team of dedicated staff, Leslie and her team supports wider conservation and ecology research at the university.
Anthony Hogan brings a wealth of experience in the form of marketing research, innovation, and finance. He leads the development of new partnerships, helps us connect with potential donors and establishes future collaborations and relationships with government, corporations and NGOs.
HEAD OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
ANTHONY HOGAN
Carmen recieved a BSc in Marine Biology from Flinders University and is currently undertaking a PhD at The University of Queensland. Her role at Saving Nemo is coordinating our education and citizen science projects in Queensland. Her research interests include behaviour and evolutionary ecology in order to inform conservation strategies particularly focused on the Great Barrier Reef.
PROJECT COORDINATOR- QUEENSLAND
CARMEN DA SILVA
HONOURS STUDENT
JACINTA LAMACCHIA
CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR
Karen is an Associate Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation and is the Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning at Flinders University. Karen runs the Clownfish Research Group and established the Saving Nemo breeding program. Her research interests combine field based ecology and lab based aquaculture of anemonefish and their sea anemone hosts. Research on anemone toxicity has also led her to investigate the anticancer properties of anemones that host clownfish in the wild. She works in partnership with governments, communities, and businesses to find solutions to ensure the sustainability of our natural resources. Karen’s educational interests have focused on educating tertiary students and the public about conservation issues in Australia and around the world. In 2014 she won the South Australia Science Educator of the Year Award for her efforts.
The take-home message from the hit Walt Disney movie Finding Nemo is clear – don’t take fish off the reef.
At the time the film was released some of us were working in aquarium stores and saw the massive increase in demand for clownfish- everyone wanted one but few were aware that these fish were being taken from the wild for pets.
A decade after the film, clownfish have continued to be a highly sought-after commodity and with the increased demand marine biologists are now discovering that in areas like the Great Barrier Reef and Phillipines where they are being collected, wild populations are declining. Yep that is right, we can't find nemo on some reefs anymore.
In an effort to prevent extinction, we began breeding clownfish at Flinders University in 2005 and soon we were selling them to local aquarium shops at a cheaper rate than fish bought from the wild. It didn't take long though before supply out-grew demand so we began teaming-up with conservation-consious breeders world-wide to campaign together against clownfish removal from the wild through our eco-branding certification.
Saving Nemo is a not-for-profit organisation that was founded by a passionate group of science educators. aquaculturalists and marine biologists researching clownfish at Flinders University of South Australia. We have pooled together our expertise for the sole purpose of funding captive-breeding programs so we can stop the need to collect wild caught fish, research projects that help conserve wild clownfish and education programs that enable people to learn how to protect, breed and care for clownfish. We are funded through profits from clownfish sales, partnerships, grants and donations.
OUR STORY
OUR PARTNERS
Thankyou for being a part of the movement to protect clownfish. We wouldn't exist without you
JOIN THE CAUSE
FIND OUT HOW HERE
Be part of the solution. Protect our clownfish.