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Context:

• Parrotfish play an important role in maintaining the health of coral reefs.

What are Coral Reefs & Their Importance?

• Coral reefs are complex ecosystems. They are formed by coral species that provide habitat for 1/4th of all marine species.
• Coral reefs are mostly referred to as the rainforests of the sea. And they are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
• Ecological Functions: Coral reefs play important roles such as protecting beaches from erosion, promoting fisheries, & contributing to the global economy.
• Threats to Coral Reefs:
  • Rising ocean temperatures due to climate change are the main cause of coral bleaching.
  • Coral bleaching has been observed in at least 74 countries since 2023, the world's 4th mass bleaching event.
  • However, they are facing serious threats due to climate change. These threats are known as ocean acidification, pollution, & coastal development.

What is the Role of Parrotfish in Reef Conservation?

• Parrotfish is a family of 90 species. They are large, colorful fish that feed on algae.
• They are considered grazers, which means they clean coral reefs.
• Grazing on Algae: Parrotfish prevent algae from overtaking coral reefs. Too much algae can block sunlight. This can inhibit coral growth and this prevents the establishment of new coral colonies.
• This makes parrotfish an essential part of the coral reef ecosystem.
• Reef Health and Recovery: When coral reefs are damaged due to bleaching or disease then seaweed mostly takes over the space left behind.
• Parrotfish eat this algae and aid in the restoration of corals.
• Many countries ( Belize, Bermuda, Guatemala, Mexico, & the US) have created marine protected areas (MPAs) & they also banned the fishing of parrotfish to protect these species.

What is Bioerosion

• Bioerosion occurs when animals such as parrotfish destroy coral reefs.
• Some parrotfish eat mainly dead coral, and turn it into sand.
• This is normal, but it can be a problem in some cases.
• In the case of damaged reefs or reefs recovering slowly, many parrotfish can eat them. And this can make the situation even worse.

Conclusion

Parrotfish play an important role in coral reef health, but relying on their conservation alone is not enough. Effective reef management requires an integrated approach that combines species specific conservation strategies, efforts to reduce environmental stresses, and adaptive management to incorporate new scientific knowledge.

Source: NEWS