Notes

UH OH: 59 species of finfish disappear

Claim: Over the past 65 years, 59 species of finfish have disappeared from fish catches in the reefs near the Philippines. A team of experts from Newcastle university in England have identified 5 species of finfish that are currently fighting extinction; the humphead wrasse, the green bumphead parrotfish, African pompano, the giant grouper and the mangrove red snapper.
Evidence: By conducting thousands of interviews and reviewing historical data, the team of scientists hs determined 59 species that no longer appeared in the fishing nets. The team focused on 5 areas that are generally recognized as the most species rich areas in the region and conducted their investigation there. According to lead scientist Nick Polunin, the decline in these reef fish reflects upon the decline in the reefs themselves.
Analysis: This decline in reef native species is highly alarming because reefs are home to up to 25% of all known marine species. Dr. Polunin has said that the finfish species stock may be depleted to the point which it may never recover, which is alarming, but what is more alarming is the implication that it has for all other species. The loss of these large predators in the reef ecosystem will likely have profound and unwanted consequences on the entire marine reef community such as overpopulation of prey species.