Ocean’s ‘canaries’ highlight threat to world’s ecosystems

Washington : A new study has shown that fifty-nine finfish species have ‘disappeared’ from fishermen’s catches in the world’s most species rich and vulnerable marine region, new research has shown.

In the largest study of its kind, experts from Newcastle University have highlighted the impact that uncontrolled fishing in particular is having on coral reefs.

Drawing on the knowledge of local fishermen in the Philippines, the team was able to build a picture of how finfish populations have declined over the last 65 years.

Recording 59 species that were once common and have now disappeared from catches, the team highlighted five finfish that are now fighting for survival, the green bumphead parrotfish, the humphead wrasse, the African pompano, the giant grouper and the mangrove red snapper.

Publishing their findings this week in the science journal PLOS ONE, the report coincides with Endangered Species Day and highlights the “urgent need for action”.

Lead scientist Nick Polunin explained, “Most of us still think that nature is unlimited in the oceans. But our coral reefs are good sentinels of global ocean change, and like the canary in the coal mine, they’re telling us there’s not much time left for action.”

“These losses we’ve recorded in the Philippines are reflective of unsustainable exploitation affecting this exceptionally species rich ecosystem and region but they mirror what is happening in ecosystems around the globe.”

“In the forests of India and Bangladesh it’s the tigers and in China it’s the Giant Panda; here in the Philippines we are showing that marine species are also very vulnerable. The list of endangered species is growing and we’re very close to the tipping point.”

Co-author Selina Stead added, “This paper provides clear evidence of the dramatic decline of once common reef fish, and the value of local knowledge in helping to build an accurate picture. Governments worldwide increasingly request evidence to support policy change and hopefully this paper will highlight the need for urgency for action.”

The study appears in the science journal PLOS ONE. (ANI)