Population decline in large fish stocks in Sabah


All of the big fish species are disappearing from the reefs in Sabah. A 99% fall in numbers compared to similar but unfished reefs is very serious overfishing. These fish stock will not recover unless serious action is taken.

POPULATION DECLINES IN LARGE FISH STOCKS ON FISHED REEFS IN SABAH

FISH SPECIES COMMON NAME % DECLINE IN POPULATION
Cephalopholis argus Peacock grouper 97.09%
Cephalopholis miniata Coral grouper 99.50%
Epinephelus polyphekadio Camouflage grouper 99.25%
Plectropomus leopardus Leopard grouper }
Plectropomus laevis Saddleback grouper } 97.26%
Plectropomus areolatus Squaretail coral trout }
Lethrinus olivaceus Longnose emperor 100.00%
Macolor niger Black snapper } 97.54%
Macolor macularis Midnight snapper }
All Plectrorhincus species Sweetlips 92.39%
Monotaxis grandoculis Big eye emperor 95.63%
Lutjanus bohar Red bass 98.09%
Cheilinus undulatus Humphead wrasse 99.91%
Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus Yellowmargin / Pink face triggerfish 100.00%
Balistoides viridescens Titan triggerfish 99.69%


With this level of overfishing for the largest fish species it is not surprising that fisheries in Sabah have fallen by 74% over the last 20 years.
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FISH POPULATIONS AROUND SABAH

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Coral reef survey to 2005 menu

Survey sitesEcotourismFisheries issues  – Fisheries issues E MalaysiaPelagic fisheriesNon reef fisheries

Blast fishingFrequencyRegulationsEconomicsEffects of bombs on diversityeffects of bombs on reef structure

Cyanide fishingCyanide fishing Map -Regional threatsMarket forcesSocial impacts of cyanideEnvironmental costs of Cyanide -

 Reef fish population declineCoral trout & Leopard GroupersLarge grouper size change with fishingSweetlipsSnapperssmall groupersSex change & threatened species -

Humphead wrasse & Live fish trade  -location mapRegionally extinctHHW populationsSpawning & FeedingID of individuals

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