CoP17 Prop. 47

Inclusion of Clarion Angelfish Holacanthus clarionensis in Appendix II
Proponent: Mexico
Summary: The Clarion Angelfish Holacanthus clarionensis occurs in the Pacific territorial waters of Mexico,in the Revillagigedo Archipelago and off Baja California Sur, and Clipperton Island (France). It is demersal
and is found associated with coral reefs and rocky areas, including drop-offs, to a depth of 30m. It iscommonest at around three to five metres depth, particularly around the cleaning stations of mantas(Manta birostris). Maturity is believed to be reached at between 18 and 30 months and life expectancy to bearound 10 years. Observed population densities at sites vary seasonally, which may be associated withspawning migrations. A low frequency of juveniles in reef populations indicates that recruitment may takeplace elsewhere, in shallower or deeper waters.
The maximum potential area of occupancy for this species is probably ca. 4000km2 1; the amount of suitablereef within this is smaller, so that actual area of occupancy is probably considerably less than 2000km2. The
majority of the population reportedly occurs within less than 50km 2 in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, whereaverage population density has been estimated at around one individual per 200m2 in suitable habitat,
compared with fewer than one per hectare (10,000m2) found in surveys off Baja California Sur. The
population at Revillagigedo has been reported as apparently stable2. Report of a decline in the late 2000s at
Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, where the species is generally extremely scarce, is not considered reliable 3. In
1997 it was reported as rare at Clipperton Island 4.
Loss of habitat, and particularly damage to coral reefs, may affect the species, although its range in theRevillagigedo Islands is within a protected area. There is speculation that an increase in duration andfrequency of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events associated with climate change might have animpact on the species2.
Clarion Angelfish are very brightly coloured and have appeal in the ornamental fish trade. However, they areaggressive fish which are not suitable for community reef tanks; demand for them has therefore always been
limited5. They do, however, command high prices in trade.
Domestic trade in Mexico is regarded as negligible. The majority of exports reportedly go to California, USA,although exports to Japan are also known 5. Data on exports of live specimens from Mexico are variable, but
no more than a few hundred per year (generally 200 to 600 based on the statistics available) enter themarket. Between 2007 and 2013, Mexico gave permits for the collection of just over 3000 specimens andreportedly around 2750 individuals were exported although it has not been possible to confirm this. Tradedata for the period 2006 to 2013 report only 625 Clarion Angelfish in total were imported into the USA from
Mexico6. There is no information on mortality of individuals between capture and export.
Historically, there is a report from the early 1990s that over 1000 specimens were being collected at theRevillagigedo Archipelago on individual fishing trips, and that this was leading to significant depletion of thepopulation, but no further information is available.
In Mexico, the species is considered subject to special protection, meaning that harvesting should only beundertaken if it is sustainable. Capture under permit is allowed in only three zones in the Gulf of California; inother parts of its range, including the Revillagigedo Archipelago, harvest is not permitted. It has been
speculated that specimens taken under licence may in fact originate in the Revillagigedo Archipelago,
although evidence is lacking.
The species was classified as Vulnerable by IUCN in 2010.
The species is bred at a commercial aquarium exporting facility in Bali, Indonesia; exports at a low level are
known to take place from here to the United Kingdom and USA.
Analysis: The Clarion Angelfish is collected for export for the international marine aquarium fish trade andhas a relatively limited range and population for a marine fish. Harvest for export from the main range State(Mexico) is limited and controlled by licence. The major part of the population occurs in a protected area
where collection is not allowed, and is believed to be stable, although it may be vulnerable in the long term topressures related to climate change. The species does not appear to meet the criteria for inclusion in
Appendix II.
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CoP17 Prop. 47
Reviewers: K. Carpenter and E. Wood.
References:Information not referenced in the Summary section are from the Supporting Statement.
1 Wells, S. (2016) In litt. to IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
2 Pyle, R., Myers, R., Rocha, L.A. & Robertson, R. (2010) Holacanthus clarionensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened

Species 2010.
3 Wood, E. (2016) In litt. to IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
4 Allen, G.R. and Robertson, D.R. (1997) An annotated checklist of the fishes of Clipperton Atoll, tropical eastern Pacific.
Revista de Biologia Tropical 45: 813-843.
5 Jones, R. (2016) In litt. to IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
6 Analysis of US Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) data, May 2016.

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