Aquaculture species highlight

This is the initial posting of aquaculture species of importance with regards to Palau’s thriving aquaculture sector. Today we are highlighting dusky rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) or ‘meas.’

Typically found in tropical waters across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from India and Southeast Asia and beyond to Samoa.¹

Adult fish tend to feed on algae, meanwhile juveniles prefer to forage filamentous algae and seagrass.²

Conservation status: Least concern; overfished throughout species range including Palau for subsistence and commercial exploitation.³

Export: Although coastal reef fish are prohibited for all export from Palau following the ban in 2020, farm-raised dusky rabbitfish from registered aquaculture farmers are allowed with a permit from the Bureau of Fisheries. This permit is mandatory for CITES compliance as well as the Palau Marine Protection Act of 1994. (RPPL)⁴

Closed harvest season is February 1-March 31 to promote species spawning. This ensures both sustainable subsistence and livelihoods for future generations. (RPPL)

1. Carpenter, Kent , Robert F. Myers, and Alice Lawrence. “The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, March 10, 2015. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/69689554/115469581. ↩︎
2. Ibid ↩︎
3. Ibid ↩︎
4. RPPL 4-18. 1994. Marine Protection Act. Republic of Palau ↩︎