Fish In Hawaiian Coral Reefs Decreasing In Number
Researchers have noticed that parrot fish, sharks, jacks, and many other varieties of colorful fish have disappeared from the coral reefs that surround the Hawaiian Islands. Because of this scientists state that three-quarters of the reef fish are now in a bad situation.
Many tourists and natives would go snorkeling to see the many beautiful and colorful fish that lived in the reef - but now due to what many people think is over fishing - they are no longer being given this opportunity. Ecologists say that these animals were important in maintaining the coral reefs and keeping them healthy. They would keep them clean when they grazed the algae - which can quickly overgrow the stony coral and eventually cause them to collapse.
Alan Friedlander, a federal fisheries ecologist, said Hawaii still has relatively healthy reefs. “So everything hasn’t collapsed yet,” he said. “But we need to protect healthy reefs, because it’s so much easier and safer to conserve now than it is to try to rebuild later.”
If studies show that the decrease in fish is due to over fishing than it is possible that the government will simply put in a law that will prohibit fishermen to a limited amount or will set boundaries for them.