422
12 Species Case Studies
United States now shows clear signs of growth in both the juvenile (Koenig et al.
2007 ; Cass-Calay and Schmidt 2008 ) and adult populations (Kingsley 2004 ; Porch
et al. 2006 ; Koenig et al. 2011 ). For instance, an aggregation off the southeast
Florida coast that existed in the 1960s disappeared in the 1980s, to reappear in 2005
with about 65 individuals (CCK, personal observation). This is a good start, but it is
insuffi cient to recover a population that is highly vulnerable to fi shing. There
remains considerable uncertainty about the effects of illegal fi shing, catch-andrelease mortality, and habitat loss associated with the US population.
Successes are even rarer when considered over the entire geographic range of
this species. In both Belize and Brazil, for instance, juvenile populations have been
heavily fi shed and showing severe signs of decline (FCC, CCK and Buddy Powell
unpublished data; Ferreira et al. 2006 ) . In spite of a 7-year moratorium on fi shing
the species in Brazil, there are no clear signs of recovery. The problem is intensifi ed
by the pressure exerted on juveniles, known as “meretes”, which fi shers do not
recognize as having the same protected status as adults. Recent campaigns to raise
awareness about the endangered condition and the protected status of the species are
becoming more prevalent ( www.merosdobrasil.org ) and are hoped to have a positive effect.
There is pressure in the United States from some commercial and recreational
fi shermen to reopen the fi shery for the goliath grouper, at least at a limited level.
Uncertainty suggests proceeding in a precautionary manner. A short-term fi shery
benefi t is easily exhausted in a vulnerable species. Further, we know little about the
historical ecological role of goliath grouper as a dominant component of the reef
communities, and the toll that fi shing and habitat destruction may have taken
(McClenachan 2009 ) . Management practices should consider the potential for
developing non-consumptive industries (keeping goliath grouper “on the fi n”–alive)
as well as considering the ecological contributions this species bestows on the
marine communities within which it lives.
12.5 Camoufl age Grouper – Epinephelus polyphekadion
Kevin L. Rhodes
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management ,
University of Hawaii at Hilo , 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo , HI , USA
e-mail: klrhodes_grouper@yahoo.com
12.5.1 General
The camoufl age grouper, Epinephelus polyphekadion (= microdon ) (Bleeker 1849),
is a widely distributed Indo-Pacifi c serranid with life history characteristics typical
of the sub-family Epinephelinae. The species ranges from the eastern coast of Africa
through the Red Sea to the islands of the eastern Pacifi c, south to Lord Howe Island
12 Species Case Studies
United States now shows clear signs of growth in both the juvenile (Koenig et al.
2007 ; Cass-Calay and Schmidt 2008 ) and adult populations (Kingsley 2004 ; Porch
et al. 2006 ; Koenig et al. 2011 ). For instance, an aggregation off the southeast
Florida coast that existed in the 1960s disappeared in the 1980s, to reappear in 2005
with about 65 individuals (CCK, personal observation). This is a good start, but it is
insuffi cient to recover a population that is highly vulnerable to fi shing. There
remains considerable uncertainty about the effects of illegal fi shing, catch-andrelease mortality, and habitat loss associated with the US population.
Successes are even rarer when considered over the entire geographic range of
this species. In both Belize and Brazil, for instance, juvenile populations have been
heavily fi shed and showing severe signs of decline (FCC, CCK and Buddy Powell
unpublished data; Ferreira et al. 2006 ) . In spite of a 7-year moratorium on fi shing
the species in Brazil, there are no clear signs of recovery. The problem is intensifi ed
by the pressure exerted on juveniles, known as “meretes”, which fi shers do not
recognize as having the same protected status as adults. Recent campaigns to raise
awareness about the endangered condition and the protected status of the species are
becoming more prevalent ( www.merosdobrasil.org ) and are hoped to have a positive effect.
There is pressure in the United States from some commercial and recreational
fi shermen to reopen the fi shery for the goliath grouper, at least at a limited level.
Uncertainty suggests proceeding in a precautionary manner. A short-term fi shery
benefi t is easily exhausted in a vulnerable species. Further, we know little about the
historical ecological role of goliath grouper as a dominant component of the reef
communities, and the toll that fi shing and habitat destruction may have taken
(McClenachan 2009 ) . Management practices should consider the potential for
developing non-consumptive industries (keeping goliath grouper “on the fi n”–alive)
as well as considering the ecological contributions this species bestows on the
marine communities within which it lives.
12.5 Camoufl age Grouper – Epinephelus polyphekadion
Kevin L. Rhodes
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management ,
University of Hawaii at Hilo , 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo , HI , USA
e-mail: klrhodes_grouper@yahoo.com
12.5.1 General
The camoufl age grouper, Epinephelus polyphekadion (= microdon ) (Bleeker 1849),
is a widely distributed Indo-Pacifi c serranid with life history characteristics typical
of the sub-family Epinephelinae. The species ranges from the eastern coast of Africa
through the Red Sea to the islands of the eastern Pacifi c, south to Lord Howe Island