July 2009    Download the Entire Issue (PDF)

Vol. 24, No. 7   What's this?

Where Have Hawaii’s Fish Gone?

check home aquariums back on the mainland

from the July, 2009 issue of Undercurrent  

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While Undercurrent readers report plenty of good snorkeling and diving experiences in Hawaii, it’s with increased frequency that they’re asking “Where have all the fish gone?” The dramatic decline in reef fish has several causes, but none weighs so heavily as the losses due to commercial collectors gathering reef fish for the home tanks of hobby aquarists. Although some marine aquarium fish and invertebrates are aquacultured by the industry and hobbyists, 90 percent of marine ornamentals are caught in the wild.

Recent studies show population declines from 38 percent to 75 percent in seven of the top 10 collected species, Hawaii’s most beautiful, unusual and often rarest fish. Given that the “marine ornamental” trade operators have no limit on the number of fish or species they may collect - - and there are no limits on the numbers of permits issued - - it’s no wonder reef fish populations are in serious decline.

Forty-five percent of the top 20 collected species are only found in Hawaii. But for these endemic species, there is no replacement pool. If they are overcollected to the point where they cannot rebound, these unique species could be lost to Hawaii - - and divers and snorkelers - - forever. And because four-fifths of all collected species are herbivores, the loss of those animals affects the algae/coral balance on Hawaii’s reefs. ...