Last week, the Oceanic Institute of Hawaii Pacific University released hundreds of captive-bred (aquacultured) Yellow Tangs, Zebrasoma flavescens, into the coastal waters of Hawaii. The fish were described as extras from captive breeding efforts conducted in partnership with Disney’s Aulani Resort (on Oahu) and the Georgia Aquarium.
In statements from HPU staff, the release was described as “the first instance of stock enhancement for a fish species that isn’t just for sportfish, isn’t just for food for human consumption, but its main purpose is for ecosystem restoration,” and “really exciting; this is the first time this has been able to happen.”
In correspondence with CORAL, OI Executive Director Dr. Shaun Moss emphasized the best practices associated with this reintroduction, sharing that “A Hawaiʻi State DLNR biologist inspected OI’s juvenile yellow tang, prior to their release into the ocean, to ensure they are free of pathogens. This inspection by a DLNR biologist provided an additional layer of protection about the health of these fish before their release.”
Learn more about the Yellow Tang wild release via The Ohana from HPU, and watch a video of the Yellow Tang release below, shared by MauiNow.com. Watch for more on this story, planned for a future issue of CORAL Magazine. Subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Congratulations! That’s a very nice accomplishment indeed.
This doesn’t make sense. The population is healthy. Why introduce fish into a healthy growing population.
This was my thought exactly, Why? when there is a shortage in the aquarium trade and a push to collect wild, this is a PR stunt and a push to keep aquarium trade fish at higher prices.
Please clear up my confusion. The EIS states that the population size of this species in Hawaii are healthy and sustainable. Infact the same magazine supports the collection of thousands of yellow tangs from Hawaii by lobbying for the opening up of the collection for the aquarium trade of the same species. Then in the same breathe reports on this “replenishment” of a few hundred manufactured specimens as some form of celebration. I just dont get it. Nature is far better at creating YT than us, it just needs to be given a chance.
You’re right. The protected northern Hawaiian archepellego produces trillions of larvae yellow tangs per season. These along with the ones produced around the 7 main islands adds up to tons of larval yellow tangs looking for homes on the reef. Most will be eaten by larger fish. This handful of aqua cultured tangs are just a drop in the bucket, but serves as good PR in any case.
It has nothing to do with the EIS regarding collecting aquarium fish. OI is mostly trying to research to figure out how to raise new species in captivity.
They are partnered with various aquariums to either provide fish stock or as in the case of Aulani, a source for OI to get eggs from to be able to perform their research. When OI has a batch of fish without a place for them to go the State is allowing releases of healthy fish into the wild. It should be noted that while the eis showed good recruitment in the past, in the wild less than 1% of baby fish of any broadcast spawning species actually makes it past settlement stages due to predation. These fish are already in that stage when released.
II is a non-profit and aren’t interested in supplying the hobbyist aquarium trade. Plus the collecting industry has already been shut down by lobbyists via court injunction. If you are looking for anyone to blame regarding the lack of fish collection in Hawaii blame the dlnr which refuses to honor the latest EIS. It’s unfortunately all emotion driven politics from the “ban fish collection” people.
There is a company on Oahu that does raise fish specifically for the aquarium trade and mostly raises Yellow Tangs: Biota.
Agree totally!
I think it’s waste to release them in sea instead of use for trading to internationally because this fish is favourite for all salt water reef hobby keepers. And also sea itself you will find millions of production of yellow tang naturally.so let Hawaiin authority export this tang fish it’s a request.
OI is a non profit and isn’t structured to sell fish for profit.
These captive bred have no idea how to survive in the ocean, hope I am wrong.
I used to import containers for 750.00 from Hawaii to Florida . Yellow tangs were 3.00 and I sold them for 6.00 , 8.00 or 10.00. Flame angels 10.00 sold for 25.00. Fun times
Yellow tangs have been captive bread for some time. The wild population has never been depleted. This “accomplishment” is a non-issue.