Thanks to the generosity of over 150 individual and organizational backers, Banggai Rescue has been successful in obtaining its initial funding.  Crowd-funding pledges were accepted through the BANGGAI RESCUE page on Kickstarter running, with the funding period lasting 30 days and ending at approximately 2:00 PM EST, April 8th, 2012.

This project will produce BANGGAI RESCUE, an authoritative book in hardcover, softcover, and e-book editions telling the remarkable story of the Banggai Cardinalfish, a beguiling coral reef species at the confluence of fishery issues in developing countries, sustainability, and aquaculture.

A darling of the aquarium trade, this fish connects native fishing families in a remote region of Indonesia with aquarists worldwide, but overfishing and a mysterious virus now threaten it.

Funding has allowed  an interdisciplinary team, including scientists and an embedded journalist, to mount an expedition to the Banggai Islands to document the story and develop new protocols for the mariculture and captive breeding of this species. The expedition was undertaken in June 2012 (keep an eye on the Banggai Rescue Blog for updates), and an experienced publisher has committed to the book project.

Initial funding was secured through:

We’ve included more information for the most inquisitive minds:

• What is Kickstarter?
• How Funds are Used
• How To Pledge (reminder, the Kickstarter funding period has closed)