ALT Effect of fishing on fish spawning behaviours: Panel 1 shows a squaretail grouper aggregation site in the absence of fishing pressure: Males courting females, some males show overt courtship displays. Males spend a large portion of their time engaged in defending mating territories showing varying levels of aggression like biting, displaying their gapes or locking jaws with competitors. In general a higher density of aggregating fish is seen. In contrast, Panel 2 shows the effects of intense fishing on groupers during the spawning aggregation. While the direct impacts on number of aggregating groupers is obvious, stark behavioural differences are also observed. For instance, territorial aggression is very low and is replaced by increasing vigilance behaviours like hovering near territories, patrolling territories or fleeing easily from human figures. Males and females still engage in courtship, but the displays are less overt

ALT Reef Stars are installed in degraded areas to stabilise loose rubble and kickstart rapid coral growth. Credit: The Ocean Agency

ALT A restored reef, 4 years after installing Reef Stars. Credit: The Ocean Agency