One in 10 grouper species face extinction, with most eaten in Hong Kong
HKU researcher wants law to tighten monitoring of trade after study finds 20 species are at risk
One in 10 species of grouper face extinction and most are found on restaurant dinner tables in Hong Kong, a global study has found.
University of Hong Kong researchers, who led the study, urged the government to protect the threatened species through legislation and tighten monitoring over the grouper trade, of which the city is a major centre.
"We as consumers don't really realise the problem because we see plenty of the fish in our restaurants and markets. But the situation is different in the sea," HKU biology professor Yvonne Sadovy said.
We as consumers don't really realise the problem because we see plenty of the fish in our restaurants and markets. But the situation is different in the sea
The study collected data from different countries and assessed all 163 grouper species known in the world. Of these, 20 were identified as threatened, meaning their population will keep declining if nothing is done.
"Their populations and trade need to be managed if we still want to eat these fish in the future," said Sadovy, who released details of the study yesterday.