Saving Napoleon Wrasse

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Quoted from NST

Bid to save the Napoleon wrasse
19 Jul 2006
By Julia Chan


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SEMPORNA: The Napoleon wrasse is most often seen forlornly swimming about in small aquariums in seafood restaurants, its magnificently- coloured body faded to a nondescript green.

Variously known as the giant humpback wrasse, hoi tai kai, ikan licin and mameng or langkawit in the local markets, it fetches a hefty RM100 per kg. It is also exported to Hong Kong’s seafood restaurants.

The fish rarely reach breeding age because juveniles weighing 300g to 400g are the best to eat.

Once common in Sabah waters, their numbers have become depleted so drastically over the last decade that it has been declared an endangered species.

The fish is on the World Conservation Union Red List of threatened species and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Biologists from the Semporna Islands Darwin Project (SIDP) recently released 25 juveniles into the protected reefs of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park to give the species a fighting chance of survival.

They were bought for RM25 each from fishermen who were bringing them up to "market" size in cages.

Though they are still several years away from breeding, chances of their survival are higher as long as they do not migrate out of the park.

"From what we know, juvenile Napoleons don’t go beyond a 200m radius, so hopefully they will remain within the sanctuary of the park," said SIDP local officer Irwanshah Mustapa.

SIDP is a three-year programme run by the UK-based non-governmental organisation Marine Conservation Society and Sabah Parks.

It is funded by the Darwin Initiative, a United Kingdom grant scheme.

SIDP hopes to protect the biodiversity in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park and promote sustainable use of natural resources, economic development and traditional culture.

SIDP is also attempting to breed giant clams (Tridacna gigas), which can grow up to 1.25m in length and weigh a quarter of a tonne, about the weight of a baby elephant.

The giant clams are prized for their shells and meat. Only two adults are left in the entire park after years of collection.

In the hopes of replenishing the species, SIDP has borrowed several clams from their "guardians" — a local fishing family — for a breeding programme.

The clams will be put in a hatchery near Boheydulang Island, where they will be carefully monitored and safeguarded. Brood stock from other areas will be used to stimulate the breeding process.

"Once the clams are strong enough, they will be moved to ocean nurseries where they will be under the care of local village communities," said Irwanshah, who is also the hatchery manager.

Recently, SIDP conducted a grow-out trial with the local community.

Some 600 baby clams, up to 9cm in length, were quarantined and cared for by local clam farmers.

The trial proved to be a success as some have grown to about 30cm after two years.