The Plan
Their are several steps that would need to be taken in order to secure the survival of the humphead wrasse. First of all, it is crucial that this species is listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). If the humphead wrasse are officially classified as "endangered", it is likely that more protection measures will be taken and that more organizations will begin to raise awareness. Continuing, enrolling humphead wrasse in captive breeding programs would also be greatly helpful to the survival of this species. These fish need a safe place to grow and mature until their time comes to reproduce; it takes 5-7 years for their maturation and fisherman often kill juvenile wrasse before they have had a chance to reproduce. Also, having the wrasse in a monitored environment would allow researches to gather more biological information on this mysterious species. Lastly, no matter what else is done, humphead wrasse don't stand a chance in the future unless they are exempt from the live reef fish trade in Southeast Asia. The fishermen and consumers that partake in this trade are the cause for the humphead wrasse's drastic decline. |
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Resources
The main thing that is needed to ensure the survival of this species is human engagement in a positive way. Organizations for animal conservation and captive breeding need to get involved because this species has no chance of surviving without help. Money is obviously going to be needed to maintain the wrasse in good health while in captivation. Additionally, if wrasse are going to be taken out of their natural habitat to be put in these programs, it is also essential that protection is put into place for coral reefs that they would normally inhabit. This is because humphead wrasse are the primary predators of the crown of thorns starfish. If the numbers of these starfish are not regulated by the wrasse, they could cause extreme damage to the reefs.
The main thing that is needed to ensure the survival of this species is human engagement in a positive way. Organizations for animal conservation and captive breeding need to get involved because this species has no chance of surviving without help. Money is obviously going to be needed to maintain the wrasse in good health while in captivation. Additionally, if wrasse are going to be taken out of their natural habitat to be put in these programs, it is also essential that protection is put into place for coral reefs that they would normally inhabit. This is because humphead wrasse are the primary predators of the crown of thorns starfish. If the numbers of these starfish are not regulated by the wrasse, they could cause extreme damage to the reefs.
Stakeholders
The help of multiple organizations and agencies would be needed in order for the my intended management plan to be played out. Most importantly, measures would need to be taken by the directors of the Endangered Species Act to ensure that the humphead wrasse is officially classified as "threatened". Next, captive breeding programs would need to be looked into so that we find one that can accommodate the humphead wrasse. Programs like Pandas International and WWF Global are two possible participants, seeing as they specialize in captivation to prevent extinction. Continuing, the support of non profit organizations like the National Geographic Society could greatly aid in the fight to preserve humphead wrasse. Having a large institute, such as this one, spread the news about the possible extinction of this species could lead to bad publicity about the live reef fish trade in Asia, hopefully minimizing the hunting of wrasse. Lastly, since the wrasse may not be present among coral reefs anymore, it is necessary that programs like the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation get involved to regulate the presence of coral predators like the crown of thorns starfish.
Timeline
To secure the survival of this species, I would say that action needs to be taken within the next fifteen years. In the last thirty years, the population of humphead wrasse have decreased by half. This means that if things do not change, this species will be extinct or extremely close to extinction within the next thirty years. Therefore, action needs to be taken before the humphead wrasse reaches the point of no return. If people start to enroll them in captive breeding programs too late, then there is going to be very little genetic diversity amongst the growing wrasse. Consequently, after they are introduced to their natural habitat, there would be very little chance that the species flourishes since the lack variation will greatly decrease their survivability.
To secure the survival of this species, I would say that action needs to be taken within the next fifteen years. In the last thirty years, the population of humphead wrasse have decreased by half. This means that if things do not change, this species will be extinct or extremely close to extinction within the next thirty years. Therefore, action needs to be taken before the humphead wrasse reaches the point of no return. If people start to enroll them in captive breeding programs too late, then there is going to be very little genetic diversity amongst the growing wrasse. Consequently, after they are introduced to their natural habitat, there would be very little chance that the species flourishes since the lack variation will greatly decrease their survivability.