Protection plea for reef fish--Stop Eating Ocean's Rare Treasure

:: Today's Environment Watch::

A rare reef fish called the humphead wrasse should be guarded from overfishing, experts have claimed.
The WWF and the IUCN-World Conservation Union are set to ask an international trade watchdog to include the fish on its list of protected species.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) will have its biennial meeting in October to review the vulnerability of several species.

Conservationists hope the humphead wrasse will receive a protected status.

"This giant coral reef fish could soon be eaten out of existence if
governments don't manage the way it is currently caught and traded," said Clarus
Chu, of World Wildlife Fund-Hong Kong.

Distinctive fish

The UK government and EU member states are also calling for tighter controls. When they convene for the Cites conference in Bangkok next month they will suggest the humphead wrasse is included in Appendix II, which would allow stricter fishing regulations.

Link with Picture of Fish <--