A Seychelles marine scientist, Ameer Ebrahim, recently published his research in the Journal of Fish Biology, a global research database. This publication follows four years in the field, where Ebrahim targeted herbivorous fish species, such as parrotfish and rabbitfish, and examined what role these species may have on coral reef resilience.
His research considered specifically the movement patterns of the shoemaker spine foot (Siganus sutor), known locally as ‘kordoyen blan’. This species is of vital commercial importance throughout the Western Indian Ocean region. In Seychelles, they comprise the bulk of the annual artisanal catch and are steadily becoming overfished.
Ebrahim, under the supervision of Dr. Jude Bijoux, another Seychellois Marine Scientist, carried out an extensive study using the highly specialized methodology, namely acoustic telemetry technology, around Denis island. The team surgically implemented internal tags into several rabbitfish and monitored their movements for just over six months.
The data revealed integral links between networked habitats, which should assist the relevant authorities in their efforts to effectively manage marine protected areas. Ebrahim expressed his desire that the Government considers incorporating seagrass meadows, which are currently overlooked, into management discussions.
He has another paper that is currently under international review and may be published within the next few months.
Ebrahim has expressed his gratitude to Denis Private Island in Seychelles for their hospitality and support, and to the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) for facilitating his research.
It is hoped that the SFA, which has decades worth of unpublished accumulated data from countless sponsored research initiatives, will soon begin to publish and share their findings with the public as well.
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