Replenishing Herbivorous Fish to Save Coral Reefs

Fish Pono--Save Our Reefs is a grassroots hui of fishers, scientists, water people, and ocean lovers deeply concerned about the degraded state of Hawai‘i's coral reefs. This public education campaign is popularizing the truth that the best action our society can take to restore our reefs from seaweed overgrowth and increase their resilience to coral bleaching is to ensure that herbivorous fishes (uhu, kala, nenue, etc.) are abundant and diverse. These natural lawnmowers of the sea keep reef surfaces clean so corals can flourish, plus uhu poop sand that replenishes our beaches. Unfortunately, these reef saviors are severely depleted around O‘ahu and other population centers, leaving our reefs covered in seaweeds and unprepared for an ever-warming ocean.