Hiding among seagrass blades, I was extremely excited to capture this image of a tiny juvenile Queen Triggerfish. It illustrates the importance of seagrass areas as juvenile fish habitat, and also the delicate balance that potentially over-fished species such as this face, especially if habitats essential for certain life history stages are threatened. Seagrass areas in Anguilla, where this image was taken, are under threat, but not to the same extent as coral reef areas where the adults cruise around looking for food. For a recent report that looks at trends in such habitats over the last ten years in Anguilla, click here. This report unfortunately does not paint a pretty picture, and urges local decision makers to take immediate action in order to try and protect these areas for future generations.
Originally posted on Instagram @sea_anguilla with the text: Tiny Queen Triggerfish juvenile hiding among Turtle Grass fronds in the seagrass beds close to Little Bay. This is the first baby triggerfish I have ever seen using this habitat which really highlights its importance as a nursery area for reef fish species. This is one of the main reasons Little Bay is a Marine Park with strict no anchoring laws.