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WWF / Ocean Park to call for green consumption to
save Napoleon Wrasse
 WWF
Hong Kong & Ocean Park express concern about the sustainability of
populations of Napoleon Wrasse in the wild and call for public
support to help conserve this species by becoming green and wise
citizens.
"WWF Hong Kong is very excited to join
hands with Ocean Park to raise awareness about concerns for the
Napoleon Wrasse, one of the most highly valued live reef food
fish species of the Hong Kong people. Recent studies, and a Napoleon
Wrasse report written by Dr Yvonne Sadovy and a group of scientists
about to be published, suggest that many wild populations of
this species becoming severely reduced and that within the next
ten years may disappear completely if the trend continues. We
want to raise public awareness on the conservation problems faced
by this threatened species and solicit public support in conserving
it," said Mr Markus Shaw, WWF Hong Kong Chairman.
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| (from left) Mr. Markus Shaw,
WWF Hong Kong Chairman, Mr Tom Mehrmann, Oceans Park Chief
Executive, Ms Suzanne Gendron, Director of Ocean Park Conservation
Fund/ Zoological Operations & Education Department and Dr Yvonne
Sadovy, IUCN specialist & Chairman of WWF Hong Kong Conservation
Projects Committee have signed to protect the conservation
of the Napoleon Wrasse at the ceremony. |
The joint campaign, kicked off at Atoll
Reef, Ocean Park on World Oceans Day (8 June), aims to enhance
the public!|s understanding of the biological characteristics
and threats faced by this species. Napoleon wrasse take a long
time to become adults (about 5 years) and can grow to a maximum
length of about 2 metres. Adults are not particularly common
in the wild and the high demand for juvenile fish, those below
approximately 40cm, has resulted in declining numbers of sexually
mature individuals for reproduction, and much lower catches in
many places. This species is becoming much harder to find in
the wild compared to 10 years ago, according to biologists, fishermen
and traders.
"Our mission in conservation is to educate
and inspire, for the more we know, the more we care". Atoll Reef
has played a tremendous role in being a powerful emotional experience
for visitors, fostering in them a better understanding of different
fish species, thereby building general care and concern for the
environment and conservation," said Suzanne Gendron, Director
of Zoological Operations & Education at Ocean Park.
Napoleon fish are one of the animal
highlights in Atoll Reef, Ocean Park. With a total of 20
Napoleon Wrasse, Atoll Reef has the largest population
of this fish species amongst all aquariums in the world.
We believe Hong Kong citizens can make a big difference
by not supporting the illegal fishery trade. Fishing pressure,
coupled with environmental pollution in some home countries,
such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, threatens the
Napoleon fishes' survival.
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.This species is currently listed as "Vulnerable" in
the IUCN Red List of the Threatened Animals and its conservation
status may change if the species continues to be threatened by
the high demand.
The Public is also invited to show their
support for greater protection of the species by joining the
signature campaign at WWF Hong Kong website. The signatures collected
will be presented to the policy-making authority for reference.
"WWF Hong Kong has always promoted the
concept of sustainability. We hope that the public can have a
chance to continue the utilisation of our natural resources in
a sustainable manner. The objectives of running this awareness
programme are to allow the public to understand the problems
faced by Napoleon Wrasse and to realize that there is an important
role that we all, as citizens, can play to conserve species," continued
Mr Shaw
.WWF Hong Kong and Ocean Park recommend
the public to help conserve Napoleon Wrasse by taking the following
actions:
- Avoid consumption of threatened species
e.g. Napoleon Wrasse
- Change to consume hatchery-reared live
reef fish such as Green Grouper and Mangrove snapper, whenever
possible
- Avoid consuming immature wild-caught
reef fish
- Tell your friends about this conservation
message
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The joint Napoleon Wrasse Public Awareness
Programme includes exhibition panels explaining the biological
characteristics and conservation status of the Napoleon Wrasse.
World Day will begin at Atoll Reef of Ocean Park starting 8 June
2004. In addition, a short video highlighting the Napoleon Wrasse
in the wild and its conservation problems will play at Atoll
Reef as well as on other free TV display channels in public transportation
system. "The future of the Napoleon Wrasse is in our hands. Be
a green citizen and you can help make a world of difference," pledged
Mr Shaw. Both WWF Hong Kong and Ocean Park believe public education
to be one of the most important conservation tools we can bring
to the Hong Kong people, ensuring a better environment for present
and future generations.
-End-
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