WITH Finding Dory a box office hit in Australian cinemas, marine managers are reminding Great Barrier Reef anglers and visitors about the importance of Dory and her "cousins" to the marine environment.
Plant-eating fish remove seaweed from reefs, which is important after coral bleaching when seaweed can dominatereefs and stop coral larvae settling and starting new coral colonies.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority tourism and stewardship director Roger Beeden said there were some simple steps fishers and visitors could take to help the marine environment.
"It is great to see movies like Finding Dory generating interest in the Great Barrier Reef and its unique marine life," Dr Beeden said.
"With mass coral bleaching occurring on the Great Barrier Reef this year it's important we do all we can to support the Reef's resilience.
"Dory's 'cousins' - plant-eating fish like bluespined unicornfish and more distant relatives like bumphead parrotfish - are vital for the marine environment after bleaching.
"Their grazing removes seaweed that can grow rapidly after bleaching and provides space for new corals to grow. Given the bleaching that's occurred, fishers and spearfishers should consider leaving these species.
"All actions - big or small - are vital to support the reef's resilience."
Unicornfish (Naso unicornis), bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) and any species of rabbitfish and surgeonfish are all important to reef recovery.
Further information on responsible fishing practices, including images of these plant-eating species, is available at www.gbrmpa.gov.au
