Impacts on whales, sharks and fish - The Great Barrier Reef: An Environmental History - page 125

In a letter describing the destruction caused by spearfishers at Lizard Island, in
1974, the coral reef photographer, Roger Steene, wrote:
I have been a constant visitor to the Island and its adjacent reefs for the past
18 years and environmental changes seem to be ever increasing since the
establishment of the aerodrome and the discovery of the island as a good
anchorage and camping area. [...] On the reef at North East Point, a colony
of large coral trout, Plectropoma maculatum lived for many years. These were
huge specimens, 30-40 lbs and it was the only part of the Great Barrier Reef
where I had seen ten or more big specimens living together in such a tiny area.
These fishes were the subject of many photos as they were unique due
to the fact that I had tamed them as they would readily approach a diver to
collect food prepared for them. This colony of fishes has entirely disappeared
in the last couple of years. A camp was made nearby for several months by a
group making a film and conversation led me to believe they had initiated
the killing of these unusually tame fishes. I believe a great opportunity has
now been lost to study such magnificent specimens in their natural habitat. I
partially blame myself for feeding them and winning their trust so as to make
them un-missable targets for spear-guns of irresponsible people.
The impacts of spearfishers were pronounced since the largest fish were
targeted by the divers; this concentrated the mortality among the larger
species of reef fish, and among the larger individuals within populations,
leading to a progressive reduction in the size of fish apparent on popular
coral reefs . 13
Another fishing activity that has caused degradation in the Great Barrier Reef
is the collecting of aquarium fish. Steene reported that at Lizard Island, during
the same visit, an abundance of valuable species of aquarium fish was found. He
stated:
In my present study of Chaetodontidae and Pamacanthidae , I made an exciting
and important discovery during my recent stay. In shallow, protected water
in the lagoon, I located an area which apparently is a prolific breeding
ground for several rare species of fishes. This included different types, but
most importantly, I found fourteen juveniles of Heniochus singularius a species
which was previously known from only two specimens in Australian waters.
Similarly H. monocerus and C. bennetti were abundant in juvenile form.
Neither of these is a common species and would be considered a 'gem' to
aquarists. In the same locality, I also found and photographed a species of
Solenichthys that is so rare that only four specimens are held in museums in
the world. This also would be a 'gem' for an aquarium and would fetch a
handsome price.
With the ever increasing popularity of salt water aquariums in the home,
I consider the lagoon at Lizard a 'golden egg' for professional aquarium fish