What is Causing this Ecological Disaster?
Humphead Wrasse are endangered as a result of their value in luxury fish markets. Hong Kong has the largest consumer market for the Humphead Wrasse, however other countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and China are known to serve the fish as well. The Humphead Wrasse is listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning that international trade is only possible with CITES permits. No permits have been issued, and countries continue to hunt and consume humphead wrasse (Marine Bio, 2006). In the past 30 years, humphead’s total population has decreased by 50%, and up to 90% in some areas (Biological Diversity, 2021). Fishing methods that can destroy whole ecosystems, like cyanide poisoning, are used to hunt them, and then they are sold for high prices (ICUN, 2016). Despite bountiful protections against hunting endangered species, evidence of illegal fishing is clear, in that humphead wrasse populations are continuing to decline (Beurteaux, 2021). Protective legislation has been ineffective since e-commerce sites that are difficult to detect are being used to facilitate illegal activities. Oftentimes, hunters will capture young humpheads and sell them in the live fish trade, resulting in the rapid depletion of populations (Russell, 2004).
In addition, human activities are degrading the coral reef ecosystem that they inhabit. Coral reefs are susceptible to many human activities such as pollution, destruction and fragmentation, and the heating of oceans due to increased CO2 emissions (NOAA, 2019). Reefs are physically damaged by coastal development and destructive fishing practices. There is a wide range of substances that can pollute coral reefs such as excess nutrients, metals, chemicals, pesticides, microplastics, and agricultural runoff (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2022). These substances enter coral reefs are a result of human activities and are extremely harmful to coral and all other organisms in the ecosystem. Changing ocean conditions credited to climate change, such as currents, temperature, and chemistry also play a role in the destruction of humphead's habitat. For example, increased oceanic temperatures result in coral bleaching causing the coral to lose its algae, and if temperatures stay high, it dies (WWF, 2021). Human activities that contribute to increased CO2 emissions are chiefly responsible for coral bleaching, which results in loss of habitat for humphead wrasse, along with countless other species.
Destroying Their Homes
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Since they are considered a “luxury food item” in countries like Hong Kong, humphead wrasse are a victim of overexploitation through destructive fishing methods, despite their cultural and ecological importance. They are considered to be one of the two most expensive fish in international trade, being sold for $220 a pound, and were the first reef fish that is used as food to be added to CITES (Biological Diveristy, 2021). CITES is an international agreement between 184 parties that regulates wildlife trade with the goal of ensuring sustainable conservation of endangered species. Furthermore, the more endangered the fish becomes, the rarer, and sought after it is to fishers. Community members risk becoming financially dependent on hunting humpheads, since they may invest in special motorized equipment. A major socioeconomic issue associated with the situation is the trade-off between the short-term cash benefits of hunting humphead wrasse, and the long-term effects of destroying reef resources, and whole ecosystems (Russell, 2004).