Napoleon Wrasse's waterloo: Illegal fishing<\/p>\n
Musadianto Madusila, Antara, Palu<\/p>\n
Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus Undulatus Snell), the fish which
\nhelps preserve the precious coral reefs by preying on a type of
\nstarfish which devours coral, is becoming endangered due to
\npoaching.<\/p>\n
If the Napoleon Wrasse no longer has a habitat in the coral
\nreefs, where they live and breed, a lot of marine animals might
\nsoon become extinct in Central Sulawesi. In particular peril are
\nthe species of coral fish and lobsters, whose life highly depends
\non the presence of coral in the sea.<\/p>\n
Apart from its dependence on compact coral reefs, Napoleon
\nWrasse can also keep intact their coral habitat, protecting it
\nagainst the attack of the crown-of-thorn starfish (Acanthaster
\nPlanci), which can devour a 50-centimeter stretch of coral reef
\nin 24 hours.<\/p>\n
Napoleon Wrasse, in turn, is the main predator of poisonous
\nmarine animals, such as the sea urchin and the crown-of-thorn
\nstarfish.<\/p>\n
In the waters off the Togean islands of Central Sulawesi, for
\nexample, environmental researchers agree that the presence of
\nNapoleon Wrasse reduces coral reef damage and maintains the
\ndelicate ecological balance of other marine creatures. \"That's
\nwhat we have witnessed,\" said Yani Subekti Permana, an
\nenvironmental researcher and director of the Central Sulawesi-
\nbased NGO, the Indonesian Friends of Nature.<\/p>\n
The Togean chain in the Tomini Straits is one of several
\nplaces known to be Napoleon Wrasse's habitat in Indonesia. The
\ncoral reefs in the waters of these islands stretch over an area
\nof 130,000 hectares. The population of this fish, said Yani, must
\nbe protected against extinction in order that they, in turn, can
\nkeep the proliferation of the crown-of-thorn starfish to a
\nsustainable level, thus sustaining ecological balance.<\/p>\n
The protective measures being taken are targeted particularly
\nat stopping illegal fishing of Napoleon Wrasse. If the crown-of-
\nthorn starfish is allowed to freely proliferate, it will destroy
\nmore and more of the coral reefs.<\/p>\n
Yanti reiterated that one of the main reasons for the damage
\nto the stretch of coral reefs in Togean waters in the past decade
\nwas the decline in the population of Napoleon Wrasse in this sea
\nconservation zone. This decline is attributable to intensified
\nfishing, especially that which relies on home-made bombs and
\ncyanide poison.<\/p>\n
The data compiled by some NGOs joining the Togean islands'
\nIntegrated Conservation Area Development Consortium estimated
\nthat every year the damage to coral reefs in the region, measures
\nbetween 200 and 300 hectares. The crown-of-thorn starfish is
\nresponsible for over 30 percent of the total damage to the local
\ncoral reefs.<\/p>\n
Shy Fish<\/p>\n
Napoleon Wrasse, which is a favorite among Togean's
\ntraditional fishermen as the price in the local markets can reach
\nRp 50,000 per kilogram, is sometimes called a shy fish due to its
\npreference for living alone. During the daylight hours, it
\nusually swims in the gaps of the reef and once in a while pairs
\nof them are found. At nights they rest in coral gaps.<\/p>\n
When young, Napoleon Wrasse, whose prey also includes small
\nfish, shrimp, crabs and sea cucumbers, looks pale with dark
\nvertical lines. When it is fully grown, a Napoleon fish, or
\nMaming as local people refer to them, turns bluish-green with
\nmore vivid lines.<\/p>\n
The fish are recognized very easily as they have thick lips
\nand a little swelling on the head. They can reach over 2.2 meters
\nin length and weigh up to 190 kilograms.<\/p>\n
They prefer to live in relatively deep water, usually some 60
\nmeters below the surface, and have a very low breeding rate so it
\nis difficult for them to reproduce rapidly, especially so, when
\nforced out of its natural habitat.<\/p>\n
Research data in the salt cultivation area of Situbondo, East
\nJava, for example, shows that, of some 100 Napoleon fish eggs
\nhatched, only two or three fry typically survive.<\/p>\n
Their life span can reach 50 years, and are commonly found in
\nIndo-Pacific waters.<\/p>\n
Not for trade<\/p>\n
The Convention on International Trade for Endangered Species
\n(CITES) has included Napoleon on its list of the animals
\nforbidden to trade in as the species are on the verge of
\nextinction.<\/p>\n
Given the importance of the fish to the conservation of other
\nmarine life, the Indonesian government has also included Napoleon
\nWrasse in the category of protected animals under Law No. 9\/1985.<\/p>\n
The Minister of Agriculture has even issued the Decree
\nNo.375\/Kpts\/IK.250\/5\/95 which bans catching the fish unless a
\npermit is obtained from the government.<\/p>\n
To protect the fish from being sent overseas, the government
\nthrough the Trade Minister's Decree No.94\/Kp\/V\/95 has also banned
\nthe export of Napoleon, alive or dead, including parts of its
\nbody.<\/p>\n
Although this species has been protected by many legal
\ninstruments, fishermen in Indonesia particularly those in the
\nTogean islands keep hunting them to meet the demand for business
\nand home consumption.<\/p>\n
\"But I don't see that they are afraid of hunting this
\nendangered fish because laws are poorly enforced. There are no
\nstrict sanctions imposed on perpetrators. Besides, supervising
\ninstitutions are not available, either,\" said Harley, an activist
\nof Central Sulawesi-based Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi).<\/p>\n
Harley lamented the fact that the local administration and
\nrelevant institutions act as if they were not aware of the
\nregulations. So they issue permits for Napoleon Wrasse hunting.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/napoleon-wrasses-waterloo-illegal-fishing-1447893297",
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