Tackling illegal, unregulated, and unreported trade towards Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) recovery in Sabah, Malaysia

The live reef food fish trade (LRFFT) has caused severe depletion of the Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) populations globally, a species considered endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In 2010, signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora recognized that illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) activities in the LRFFT were undermining the efforts to protect this species. Management recommendations have yet to be effectively implemented at national and local levels where the fish is harvested. This paper analyzes the threats to, and socio-economic impacts of, Humphead wrasse recovery in Sabah, Malaysia, and offers both short- and longer-term recommendations for the local recovery of the species. Key issues addressed centre around understanding the threats to recovery, specifically the role of IUU and the context-specific considerations, including the socio-economic aspects of the IUU trade in Sabah. The analysis confirms that deliberate management planning and action at multiple levels are required to prevent local-scale extinction. Lessons for other species and countries involved in the LRFFT suggest that to be effective, broad management frameworks must be tailored to local situations and must focus on gaining support and participation of fish harvesters if the recovery and long-term sustainability of both the Humphead wrasse and the LRFFT are to be achieved. ► Deliberate management planning and action at multiple levels are required to prevent local-scale extinction. ► Local-scale extinction of threatened fish species is linked to livelihoods, food security, and ecological resilience. ► Long-term sustainability of Humphead wrasse and the live reef food fish trade (LRFFT) requires management frameworks tailored to local situations, and focus on gaining support and participation of fish harvesters. ► Capacity, poverty, and legitimacy of law are critical considerations for recovery. ► Illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) activities, habitat destruction, domestic consumption, and knowledge gaps threaten recovery and must be addressed.