Tropical Fish Trade Threatens to Devastate Reefs

Leading marine biologists have called for a crackdown on the trade in tropical fish, which is threatening to destroy the world's already endangered coral reefs.

Writing in the journal Science last week, the scientists said that the plunder of reef fish is having a devastating impact on coral reserves.

Major culprits include luxury seafood restaurants that buy giant fish such as the Napoleon wrasse, which can grow to two metres in length, to display in window tanks. Apart from endangering these species, which are slow to breed and therefore slow to recover from overfishing, the effect on coral reefs is highly damaging, the scientists say.

Without predators like the Napoleon wrasse, coral-eating species of starfish like the crown-of-thorns are thriving. In addition, fishermen are damaging the reefs in their attempts to catch these rare creatures. 'These roving bandits deplete coral reef stocks,' said zoologist Helen Scales from Cambridge University.

The 'Status of the Coral Reefs of the World' report claims 20 per cent of reefs have been effectively destroyed by fishing and global warming.

In addition to the dangers posed by fishing, reefs are also being destroyed by ocean acidification. As more and more carbon dioxide is pumped into the atmosphere, increased amounts are dissolved in sea water, making it more acidic. This effect is enhanced by the warming of the oceans, another product of climate change.