Overfishing: Corals of the Caribbean under threat from Sponges

Fish populations living in coral reefs are substantially overfished in many areas across the world. The depletion of highly sensitive coral reefs is especially prevalent in Caribbean waters, where warming due to climate change, ocean acidification, storms, diseases and of course overfishing are all interacting to cause decline in biodiversity. It has even be stated that an incredibly alarming 80% of Caribbean coral reefs have disappeared over the last 50 years (Catlin Seaview Survey 2013).

Overfishing of slow-growing fish from the upper levels of the food web has been found to have large impacts on the species in the levels below. If these fish are overfished, there will be less herbivorous action on the algae in the ocean surface. This means that algae are able to thrive, especially the 'macroalgae' (macro meaning large). This has a detrimental smothering affect on our precious coral species. This has been deemed by some as causing a 'slippery slope to slime'. As corals are smothered by algae, coral reefs are degraded and we are left with a very anaesthetically pleasing underground slimy swamp of algae. 

Corals also have another detrimental competitor; sponges. We are all aware of what sponges are. Those frequently sold 'natural sponges' you can buy to help scrub yourself clean are in fact dried out organisms from the ocean. Sponges have recently been linked to further decline in corals in the Caribbean. They steal habitat space from the corals and frequently produce deadly toxins to directly kill the coral. An example of this in the Caribbean waters is the brain coral being continuously smothered by lavender branching sponges (see below).

Brain coral being smothered by competitive lavender branching sponge (Image source: http://cdn.phys.org/newman/gfx/news/hires/2015/2-endangeredco.jpg)
In less fished areas, these sponges are controlled by the upper level fish species, for instance, angelfish and parrotfish. This means that corals are less at risk from this vicious sponge competitors. This has led to researchers to say that if we want to save our beautiful Caribbean coral species, we must focus on maintaining sustainable populations of the angelfish and parrotfish that eat the sponges.

Bicolour Parrotfish found in the Caribbean waters (Image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Bicolor_parrotfish.JPG)

Queen Angelfish found in the Caribbean waters (Image source: http://www.ramblincameras.com/carsrd33.jpg)

The decline in corals has be noticed more in recent years and the World Conservation Union has included 10 species of coral on its Red List of Threatened Species. Even though is it incredibly difficult to try to eradicate all of the problems associated with coral reef declines; including diseases and coral bleaching caused by warming oceans, it is a great start to focus on limiting the impact of overfishing on corals. Hopefully this will help to further guide fishery management strategies in the future and reduce the stress on our beautiful tropical coral reefs. 

Warming Oceans

By now the majority of us recognise that global climate change is happening and that there is probably not enough being done to slow it down. But what does this change in climate actually mean for us, and for our environment?

A recent study at the University of Exeter and published in the journal Nature Climate Change, researched what climate change and global warming would mean for our North Sea fish. These fish are the ones that we in the UK are used to eating. For instance, haddock, plaice, lemon sole and other cold water, bottom dwelling fish. It is predicted that the warming of our oceans will force these fish to move northwards, into cooler waters. These new areas may not provide suitable habitat for them, leading to a reduction in their populations. If fewer popular fish are caught by fishermen across the UK, then the cost to the consumer will have to rise dramatically. This could mean a Friday night haddock and chips may not only become well out of our price range but also unsustainable!

Traditional Fish and chips (image source: http://hungryinhouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Fish_Chips.jpg)

Here at Anyfin is Possible, we don't like to dwell on the negative, but instead think about the new fish this could bring into UK waters. This shift in species distributions could mean usually warmer water fish like that of red mullet, john dory, gurnard and sardines become more abundant and therefore increasingly available locally. If we as consumers can switch our tastes to these less widely eaten fish then we can continue with cheap, sustainable and healthy fish meals for years to come. In reality, the tastes of many varieties of white fish are quite similar and once we get over the difference in name we may find we don't miss cod and haddock at all! 

Beautiful fresh Red Gurnard from Brixham Fish Market

Welcome to the Anyfin is Possible blog!

We have had a wonderful few months campaigning for fish sustainability and this first post will look at our journey so far.....

In September 2014, we met with the Students' Green Unit at the University of Exeter Students' Guild to express our interest in launching a project promoting the eating of a wider variety of fish species and fish from sustainable sources. They loved our project proposal and our enthusiasm for the cause. And there was lift off. An idea we were passionate about was made into reality with the help of funding from the Students' Green Unit.

After this we focussed on our brand, logo and campaign. By December 2014 we were all set to launch the project, starting with social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube). Since then we have filmed YouTube videos including; an interview with the manager of Brixham Fish Market, an interview with Steve Simpson (senior lecturer in marine biology at the University of Exeter) and a fish risotto recipe video. We have also had a strong online presence on Twitter and Facebook.

In January 2015, we were asked to present our project at a HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) conference in London with the NUS (National Union of Students), which we really enjoyed being a part of.

After this, we were contacted by WWF to ask if we wanted to be the University of Exeter ambassadors for their new #fishface campaign. Their campaign was the promote universities to become MSC certified, which means that all fish sold on campus is sustainable and has been certified by the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council). It was such an honour for our efforts to be recognised by WWF and we thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the campaign!

Anyfin is Possible and the WWF #fishface campaign

Currently, we are working on producing new YouTube videos, holding more events and now.... writing blog posts! We are excited about the future of Anyfin is Possible and the future for sustainable fish around the world.

Twitter: @anyfinisposs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anyfinispossible
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel
/UCaO4w_tuKxuQagNAFIA9c_g