Summary of results of population density surveys of the Banggai cardinalfish in the Banggai Archipelago, Sulawesi, Indonesia, from 2007 – 2012

The unique endemic Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)(BCF) is still among the top 10imported species of marine aquarium fish in the US. The fish has been classified as an endangeredspecies due to concerns over its collection for the aquarium trade. The fish was only re-discovered in1995, and only limited studies have been undertaken in the field. In an effort to complement thesestudies, surveys on the the distribution, population density, and current levels of trade of the BCF wereconducted from 2007 to 2012. Using the belt transect method, three classes of BCF (recruits, juveniles,and adults) encountered along each transect were counted, as well as BCF habitats including soft corals,hard corals, sea grasses, sea urchins and anemones. Some areas were surveyed more than once, andshowed a decline in population densities. The causes of these declines were most likely due tooverexploitation, habitat destruction and extensive removal of microhabitats and species for humanconsumption. A number of measures have been taken to prevent BCF populations from further declines,to ensure that they are being collected in a more sustainable manner. However, control and enforcementof these measures are still lacking in the field. An initiative to include the BCF in the protected species listunder Indonesian law has not yet been realized. There is a call for the aquarium industry to activelysupport the work in Indonesia by promoting and supporting the purchase of BCF from sustainablecollection areas and methods only.