U.S. Proposes Ban on Imports, Exports of Banggai Cardinalfish

NOAA Fisheries Proposes Ban on Import and Export of Threatened Banggai Cardinalfish

WASHINGTON— NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposed rule to ban the import and export of threatened Banggai cardinalfish, following a 2021 petition from conservation groups.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis:

1. Goal 14: Life Below Water
2. Goal 15: Life on Land

“Far too many of these gorgeous little fish have been netted from Indonesia’s wild reefs for tanks in the United States,” said Dianne DuBois, a staff scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These proposed protections will give them a fighting chance at recovering their plummeting populations in the wild.”

Background Information on Banggai Cardinalfish

• Banggai cardinalfish, Indonesian coral reef inhabitants known for their bold black bands and white-speckled fins, have seen their numbers plummet by as much as 90% since the 1990s due to decades of overexploitation by the aquarium trade.
• Scientists have estimated that 75%-80% of the fish collected from the wild die even before they’re exported.
• The United States has long been a major importer of the species, with an average of 120,000 imported each year. It is also the world’s largest importer of coral reef wildlife overall, responsible for about 60% of the global market.

“For far too long, the United States has contributed to the exploitation, suffering, and decline of this species in the wild by allowing imports for the aquarium trade,” explains DJ Schubert, a wildlife biologist at the Animal Welfare Institute. “Today’s proposal is the first step in eliminating the United States as a destination for Banggai cardinalfish and sending a clear signal to Indonesia that it must do more to conserve the species and its habitat.”

Proposed Rule and Call for Public Comments

In 2016, the National Marine Fisheries Service listed the Banggai cardinalfish as threatened under the Endangered Species Act but failed to offer the fish any protections from trade. Monday’s proposal would ban imports and exports of the fish to reduce threats from the U.S. aquarium trade but would not ban sales of Banggai cardinalfish for the pet trade within the United States. The public has until Oct. 16 to submit comments in response to the proposed rule.

Importance of Conservation Efforts

“This is an encouraging, yet long overdue, recognition of the dire straits these unique fish find themselves in,” said Jane Davenport, senior attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. “Addressing the biodiversity crisis will take bold and transformative action; forward progress like this is urgently needed to save the terrestrial and ocean ecosystems we depend on.”

Threats to Banggai Cardinalfish and Coral Reef Ecosystems

• Banggai cardinalfish once flourished in the coral reefs of Indonesia’s Banggai Islands. But they are now limited to small, isolated populations because of exploitation from the pet trade, habitat loss, and climate change. Several Banggai cardinalfish populations have been completely wiped out.
• Beyond its striking appearance, the species is unusual because males are mouthbrooders. A male inhales the fertilized eggs and, while they incubate in his mouth, the female defends her mate.
• Coral reef ecosystems are increasingly uninhabitable by Banggai cardinalfish and other coral-dependent wildlife because of coral bleaching, the loss of sea anemones and urchins, and sea-level rise and temperature increases from climate change. This fish will not survive these compounding threats if its populations continue to be exploited by the aquarium trade.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

The article discusses the proposed ban on the import and export of threatened Banggai cardinalfish, which is aimed at protecting marine and coastal ecosystems and achieving healthy and productive oceans.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article highlights the decline of the Banggai cardinalfish population due to overexploitation by the aquarium trade, which relates to the need to protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The article mentions the United States as the world’s largest importer of coral reef wildlife, which connects to the goal of achieving responsible consumption and production.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

The proposed ban on the import and export of Banggai cardinalfish aims to protect marine and coastal ecosystems by reducing threats from the aquarium trade.

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

The decline of the Banggai cardinalfish population due to overexploitation by the aquarium trade highlights the need to take action to protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

The mention of the United States as the largest importer of coral reef wildlife connects to the need for responsible consumption and production to minimize adverse impacts on the environment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention indicators related to the identified targets. However, some relevant indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets include:

– Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches.

– Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index.

– Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement.

These indicators can help track the management of marine and coastal ecosystems, the conservation of threatened species, and the progress towards responsible consumption and production.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: biologicaldiversity.org

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