This paper was written as part of the 2011 Alaska Oceans
Sciences Bowl high school competition. The conclusions in this
report are solely those of the student authors. Effects of
Cyanide Fishing on the Coral Reefs of Wakatobi Marine National
Park Team Tiger Sharks The coral reefs of Wakatobi Marine
National Park in Indonesia are under siege: cyanide fishing is
destroying the reefs and decimating the species inhabiting them.
This highly illegal form of capturing fish for the live fish
trade (such as exotic fish aquariums) brings in millions of
dollars annually, but it is devastating the reefs' existence.
Two species of fish in particular are being captured in mass
quantities without regard for age, size, and the health of the
ecosystem they come from; they are the giant grouper
(Epinephelus lanceolatus) and the humphead wrasse (Cheilinus
undulates). The giant grouper and humphead wrasse are both being
taken to sell in fish markets for food, often live. Both of
these species are endangered or threatened as a di