Cheilinus undulatus, Humphead Wrasse

Sadovy, Y and Craig, Matthew T and Pollard, D A and Nair, Rekha J and Wen, C K and Liu, M and Samoilys, Melita (2025) Cheilinus undulatus, Humphead Wrasse. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. pp. 1-17. ISSN 2307-8235

Text The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species_2025_Rekha J Nair.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

Humphead Wrasse is a heavily exploited and conservation-dependent species. Major extrinsic threats include unregulated or under-regulated fishing (particularly on juveniles for capture-based culture operations) and coral reef habitat loss. Intrinsic threats include aggregatory spawning and nocturnal resting behaviours, hermaphroditism, longevity and late onset of maturity, all of which work synergistically to increase the probability of rapid depletion of local populations where exploited. Available time series data on population trends are limited but clearly and consistently demonstrate major declines and localized extirpations at numerous sites throughout the species’ range. However, populations remain stable where they are effectively protected or unfished. It is inferred from the available data that this species has declined by at least 50% over the past 34 years (i.e., when global declines began to be documented). It is suspected that the population decline over the past threegeneration time window (60 years, or ~1964–2024) is greater than 50% but not exceeding 80% and the causes of the decline have not ceased. Moreover, where exploited, which is across at least one third of its coral reef habitat globally, and not effectively managed, adults are now uncommon to absent, and future population reduction is suspected to exceed 50% over the next three generations due to overexploitation. It is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN A2bcd+3bd) with a recommendation to improve fishing regulation, protect coral habitat, and monitor abundance trends.

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