Fish populations

 

 

 

GROUPER SIZES IN AREAS WITH AND WITHOUT FISHING

 

numbers of groupers at different fishing intensities

Plectropomus laevis, P. aerolatus, and P. leopardus are all included since all are equally targeted by LFT and underwater identification is difficult.

Groupers are not just caught by the Live fish trade but specific species and specific sizes are initially targeted. 

As the graph shows, protected and lightly fished reefs not only have many more fish but also have the largest size individuals. These large individuals are very important because they are all males. Groupers change sex from female to male at a size of 50-55 cm (large/x large boundary on the graph.  

Click here to see areas surveyed.

 

This situation is repeated in the Philippines where in 1999 and 2000, the fisheries department survey showed no fish over 45 cm. All the fish in the Philippines which are caught by fishers are female. Without the large male fish, the fish populations in both Sabah and the Philippines cannot reproduce.

 

The national parks and other protected areas such as Pulau Layang Layang are very important in protecting the only breeding fish in the region.

ON THE FISHED REEFS IN SABAH, THERE ARE NO MALE FISH!

The humphead wrasse has been studied in detail on Pulau Layang Layang in an effort to understand reproduction and population dynamics.

 

|POPULATION DECLINES IN LARGE FISH STOCKS|  |GROUPER SIZES IN AREAS WITH AND WITHOUT FISHING|  |CYANIDE FISHING|  |BLAST FISHING|

SEE ALSO:

|BIODIVERSITY / ENDANGERED SPECIES|  |COASTAL ZONE  ISSUES|

 

 

          

 

FISH POPULATIONS AROUND SABAH

SMALL GROUPERS
HUMPHEAD WRASSE
SWEETLIPS
RED + BLACK SNAPPERS
CORAL TROUT