The Oceanic Insitute of Hawaii Pacific University has released over 300 juvenile aquacultured yellow tangs into the waters of Oahu, part of the Hawaiian island chain and home to the State capital Honolulu. Gregory Fischbach of HPU Daily News writes:
“the initiative carried out in collaboration with Georgia Aquarium and Disney’s Aulani Resort,
represented the first documented release of fish in Hawaii aimed specifically at ecosystem restoration rather than food production—a significant step toward preserving Hawai?i’s coral reefs.”
Pathogen free
“In preparation for the release, a biologist from the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) inspected the juvenile yellow tang shortly before the release to ensure they were free of any pathogens, safeguarding the local reef ecosystem. The project’s focus on ecosystem health showcased a novel model for reef restoration efforts in Hawaii, highlighting the potential for aquaculture to play a vital role in marine conservation.”
“OI Executive Director Shaun Moss, Ph.D., remarked on the broader implications of the project. “The release of these iconic coral reef fish into our nearshore waters represented a historic, watershed moment for OI, HPU, and the State of Hawai?i. This represents a tremendous opportunity to add another important tool in our collective toolbox to protect our coral reefs for future generations.”
“OI’s release marked the culmination of years of dedicated research and partnership. Through extensive trials, researchers at OI first succeeded in producing fertilized eggs in captivity, and after a decade of further study, identified the specific plankton needed to sustain baby yellow tang through their juvenile stages. This approach provided a sustainable alternative to wild-caught yellow tang for the aquarium trade. With financial support from Georgia Aquarium, OI partnered with Disney’s Aulani Resort Rainbow Reef Aquarium to harvest and transport fertilized eggs from their exhibit tanks to OI’s facilities.”
“A surplus in yellow tang production allowed OI to expand conservation efforts beyond aquarium display. With DLNR approval, OI released these aquacultured fish into the wild, providing the reef with natural grazers to control algae and support greater biodiversity. As herbivores, yellow tang play a vital role in coral reef health by controlling algae, preventing it from overwhelming the coral and thus promoting coral growth and resilience.”
“The release on November 2, coincided with a gathering of the Waimanalo Limu Hui, a community organization focused on restoring native limu (seaweed) in Waimanalo Bay. Hui volunteers outplanted limu after the release by a crafting limu lei and submerging them on rocks. In a gesture symbolizing respect, Ikaika Rogerson, President of the Waimanalo Limu Hui, offered limu lei to Kanaloa, the Hawaiian god of the sea.”
“With an estimated $33 billion in value, Hawaii’s coral reefs contribute around $800 million annually to the local economy, supporting food resources, medicine, storm protection, and tourism while holding deep cultural significance. Despite this, threats from climate change, pollution, and invasive species have increasingly jeopardized their survival.”
“Rafael Jacinto, Animal and Water Sciences Operations Manager at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, emphasized the educational impact of this collaboration. “The fish in Aulani Resort’s Rainbow Reef essentially act as ambassadors to Hawaii. Every day, they help educate our visitors about their fragile reef environment and the actions we can take to protect them. Through this program, we are happy to be playing a role in continuing their sustainability message beyond Aulani Resort, into other aquariums, and now back into the ocean.”
“The milestone release demonstrated how aquaculture can directly support reef health and serves as a model for future restoration efforts across Hawaii. Through this initiative, OI and its partners have set a foundation for using ecosystem services to preserve Hawaii’s coral reefs for generations to come.”
The above is a news release from Hawaii Pacific University. To learn more about OI and their finfish department, click here.
What we think
We welcome the news that the fish were released, but as aquarists, we question if the released fish will survive, as well as how the released fish can be monitored other than evidence of increased algal grazing in the area. Many questions have been raised on other platforms about disease, although that is answered by the DLNR health inspection mentioned above.
And is 300 fish just a drop in the Ocean when compared to the 200,000 that The Fisherman Of Hawaii is fighting to be able to collect from West Hawaii – a scientifically proven sustainable fishery – that if it ever goes through will see wild collected Yellow tangs return to the aquarium industry.
Why didn’t they just move a significantly larger number of wild fish that aren’t being collected during the ban, including sexually mature ones that have the survival instinct and the right variation in DNA?
The Hawaiian Islands are physically separated, but there still seems to be a huge disconnect between all the Yellow Tang’s stakeholders – collectors, breeders, conservationists, and food fisheries as to their strategies for the species in the future.
