Rough and tough

Rivers, lakes, and wetlands are indubitably amongst the most biodiverse places on earth, but the diversity that dwells in them is often overlooked. As such, despite being vital for communities, economies, and ecosystems alike, scores of fish species today are heading towards extinction; fisheries that trade in them and provide employment opportunities to millions across the globe are increasingly shuttering down withal. Being mindful of the same, the United Nations has designated 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in order to make us au courant with the catastrophe that awaits these marine miracles and ensure their continuity for the foreseeable future. Aiming to make this vision a reality, GT presents a brand-new series, wherein each segment will either cover an endangered fish species on the verge of extinction or a renowned fishing village in any part of the world in need of immediate human attention.

Kanak Verma, AIS Gur 46, VI D

I am: Orange roughy
My taxonomic name: Hoplostethus atlanticus
I am native to: The deep waters of the Western Pacific Ocean, Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Indo-Pacific, and the Eastern Pacific off the coast of Chile
My life expectancy:Greater than 140 years often crossing over 200 years

About me
 I belong to the Trachichthyidae family and am bright reddish-orange in colour.
 I am a deep sea-dwelling species usually found in temperate water.
 My body is compressed and oval,while my gill cavities are bluish-black.
 I am also known as ‘slimehead’ as my bonehead contains muciferous canals that produce mucus.
 My head is covered with bony ridges and deep mucus cavities.
 My dorsal fin has six spines that can measure up to 75 cm in length and they can weigh upto seven kilograms.
 I prefer to stay in areas where the current is strong, usually at the depths ranging between 590-5,910 ft.
 Though my average length ranges from fourteen to eighteen inches, my longest appearance was recorded to be thirty inches.

Why I am in danger
I am on the verge of being extinct as I was overfished in the 70s and 80s due to my growing popularity as a food item. I often gather in large groups, so fishermen could easily catch us in big batches using trawl nets—wide-mouthed nets that are dragged behind boats. These sudden, large harvests did not leave us enough time to reproduce, which led to no breeding for the upcoming years. This led to the decline in our number enormously. Making things worse is the fact that I cannot reproduce until I am 30 years old. So, even though I can live up to 140 years, I start reproducing only much later, which further curbs my head count.
You can guess my fate from the fact that I became the first commercially sought fish to be added to Australia’s list of endangered species due to overfishing. I have now been listed as an endangered species under the EPBC act, and even scientists claim that the true impacts of historical overfishing me have not yet been fully felt, which means worse times are definitely ahead for me, unless humans have tried to help.

How I am being saved
I can be saved by restoring my population. A catch limit should be set and regular reporting and monitoring sessions must be conducted. Conducting accurate stock assessments are some steps the Australian Fisheries Management Authority already takes. In some places,I have been restricted, but scientists expect my recovery to take many years due to my slow-growing process. WWF and the Australian Marine Conservation Society have also done their best in keeping me safe, especially by stopping  Australia’s orange roughy fishery from getting me certified to the MSC standards. This step also helps me sustain myself from mass fishing and will surely help me recover slowly yet surely. AMCS research showcases that my number have just begun to recover in very small parts, but with the lingering impacts from fishing, there are chances that these numbers could decline again if not paid proper attention and care. So, please do your bit and keep me safe.