With the recent release and success of Finding Dory, the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2003 blockbuster Finding Nemo, scientists and marine activists foresee another wave of a phenomenon known as the “Finding Nemo effect”, in which the demand for wild fish species (most notably the ones featured in the film) and the illegal capture and selling of wild fish species increases immensely. This significantly hurts the fishes’ population, and leads them further to the brink of extinction.
When Finding Nemo was released, this phenomenon mainly concerned clown fish, but scientists have found a way to successfully and safely breed these fish in captivity so their population numbers can begin to be restored. While experts believe that the release of Finding Dory will increase clown fish sales again, they believe that the demand for the fish Dory is based on, the blue tang, will exceed that of clown fish and other wild fish species. This raises many concerns, as blue tangs are not as easy to breed in captivity and their capture involves methods that significantly harm marine environments. As a result, scientists and activists are strongly encouraging people to “Appreciate Dory” rather than “Capture Dory”.
One of the primary reasons why clown fish are so easy to breed in captivity is because of their spawning pattern. They belong to the category of fish known as substrate spawners, which are fish that lay their eggs on the substrate of their environment. This way, scientists can easily collect their eggs, and place them in a similar environment. This does not apply to blue tangs, however, who are pelagic spawners-fish that lay their eggs out in the open ocean, mostly at the surface, and rely on the tides and current to help disperse and hatch the eggs. Not only does this make capturing blue tang eggs very difficult, but it also makes effectively recreating their environment complicated as well. Therefore, almost any blue tang seen outside of the wild was most likely captured. Just as with clown fish, this significantly hurts their population and contributes to their decline and potential for extinction.
It is common knowledge that our marine environments are rapidly being depleted by factors like pollution and building development, but it is not as well known that the methods of capturing exotic fish are also a large factor. The most common method is using cyanide to stun the fish so they can easily be caught and brought up to the surface; a joint study done by the Center for Biological Diversity and For the Fishes earlier this year found that nearly six million fish that have been imported to the U.S. have been exposed to cyanide. This not only causes major damage to the fish being captured, but to the surrounding creatures as well. The same study found that when cyanide is exposed to a marine area, almost 50 percent of the surrounding fish and coral die upon impact. This leaves marine areas completely dead and unsuitable for future use, as well as the populations of many endangered fish and coral species damaged.
Despite the fact that owning your very own “Dory” or “Nemo” may seem exciting, it’s best for the animals if they are left alone. Both Finding Nemo and Finding Dory attempt to exhibit the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem, and it’s about time we start listening to their message.
