SCRFA update May 2005

It is very encouraging to see progress in the various initiatives reported in this newsletter to protect and manage reef fish spawning aggregations. We have come a long way since a few years ago when few outside of inner circles knew much, if anything, about them. Most recently, there is positive news from the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Australia and Bermuda. In the Bahamas, the Nassau grouper is getting further protection. Hopefully this will help to reverse the declines we have seen in this species throughout much of its geographic range and ensure that its fishery can continue. Concern, however, continues for the Nassau which is still listed as ‘Endangered' on the IUCN Red List. So there is much yet to be done. In Bermuda, the black grouper is now protected. Interview work in relation to aggregations has recently been initiated in east Africa and Brazil.

The long-awaited ‘International Standard for the Trade in Live Reef Food Fish' was recently released at the recent World Aquaculture Society meeting in Bali. The voluntary standards are intended to form the basis of better practice in live reef food-fish practice and trade, and in mariculture operations.They recommend no aggregation-fishing. For more details contact the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SCRFA Progress: the first part of this year has been occupied with preparation of educational materials, articles, website update, and review of our database of spawning aggregations: a period of ‘spring-cleaning' and planning. Other projects involve translation of the SCRFA pamphlet into Tok Pidgin and a poster in Fijian. A generic poster design on spawning aggregations is also available for translation as needed.

Later this year, field work begins, with additional fisher surveys being planned in the Philippines (with Philippines WWF), Indonesia, Fiji, and Costa Rica (in collaboration with PIER). Field work will be conducted to validate (ground-truth) information collected during interviews in some locations.

The Society is almost ready to stand on its own two ‘financial' feet- we will be fully incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation in California by the end of the year.

During a recent workshop on threats to marine fishes, spawning aggregations were flagged as one criterion to consider when assessing potential or actual threat to aggregating species in unmanaged fisheries. The recommendation was included in a report to the Canadian government following a workshop of experts organized by the government and including COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada). Although Canada is not famous for its coral reef fishes (!), COSEWIC is widely respected and discussion of the problem of aggregating species in the fishery context and outcome of this workshop gives the issue a valuable profile in North America.

Conferences: At the Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (15-20 May) in Taipei, Taiwan, a number of presentations on spawning aggregations will be presented during a session initiated by SCRFA on reef fish conservation. The purpose of the session is to explore practical approaches to reef fish management, address important conceptual issues and identify areas in need of greater attention and focus. A SCRFA members' meeting will be held during the conference (details available on the IPFC website). SCRFA will also be represented at the upcoming International Marine Protected Areas Conference (IMPAC) (23-27 October) in Australia.

Yvonne Sadovy
Director/Secretary