A recent article in Traffic Bulletin (Vol. 25, No. 1, April 2013) authored by K.S Mañes and S.H. Paragay reported a heavy exploitation of four species of moray eels in the coral reefs of the Spermonde Archipelago, south Sulawesi, Indonesia. This is alarming news, to say the least, to coral reef scientists and conservationists because of the implication on coral reef biology.
This exploitation began in 2012. Several hundred kilograms of moray eels caught each day for export to Taiwan and China is putting a heavy pressure on the already-stressed coral reefs of Sulawesi, which are, at the same time, subjected to cyanide and blast fishing.
The consequences of this heavy exploitation have so far depleted a number of reefs in the area, and fishers have moved to other reefs farther away to catch more moray eels.
This heavy exploitation must be stopped.
What appears especially unfortunate in this exploitation is that Indonesian fishers receive a relatively small amount of income from the exploitation, compared to the ecological damage the exploitation may bring about– US$1.45 to 2.08 per kilogram for cleaned and filleted fish flesh, or P62 to 82 per kilogram.
It is a pity that for such a small amount of income, the future of coral reefs of Sulawesi, and for that matter other reefs in nearby countries, is jeopardized.
Indeed, it is not known how exactly moray eels influence the future of coral reefs. What is known is that these species are top predators, and that they are site-specific in habit.
As top predators, they probably influence the structuring of fish communities on coral reefs from the producers to the consumers and other top carnivores in the food chain. Once a site is depleted, it takes years and years for it to recover.
Moray eels are favorite subjects of underwater photographers, and their loss could result in loss of income from tourism. It is also known that in some areas of the Indo-Pacific, moray eels are poisonous to eat.
They cause ciguatera, a nervous disease, which by the way, has been recently reported from other large fish species in the Visayas. People should be wary of eating moray eels. But still, there is a need for more investigation into the ecology of this group.
Moray eels have been shown to respond to feeding in areas used by tourists. I am not too sure of the need for this practice in tourism because of the exposure of the eels to human predation.
What about moray eels in the Philippines? I have seen people fishing for them on reefs. But the fishing frequency is low. Many Filipinos do not like to eat moray eels. I hope this dislike for moray eels as food continues.
On the contrary, the Chinese consume them as medicines.
The establishment of no-take marine reserves is a way of ensuring the survival of moray eels. The Spermonde Archipelago should be protected through the establishment of marine reserves. I am wondering whether marine reserves exist there. Marine reserves are perfect places where these fishes can escape human predation.
The authors’ recommendation that specific permission by authorities be made a requirement for export may not work in the Philippines.
Philippine authorities such as the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources should watch out that the situation in Indonesia does not spread to the Philippines. Maybe an issuance by BFAR is needed to prevent the overexploitation in the country.
