New Pixar Movie “Finding Dory” Could Imperil Blue Tang Fish Species

Can we adore them both and keep them safe?

---

---

Humans have a way of loving nature to death. With the “Finding Nemo” sequel slated for release on June 17, conservationists are worried that could happen to the new movie’s namesake fish. Luckily, in this case you can easily help prevent the over-loving.

After the release of “Finding Nemo” in 2003, interest in clownfish — the orange and white fish on which Nemo is based — skyrocketed. Scientists are warning the same effect could take hold of Dory, the “Finding Dory” protagonist, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. Only much worse.

Here’s the difference: Clownfish have been easily bred in captivity for decades. But blue tang, Dory’s species of deep blue fish with a fluorescent yellow tail, has never reliably bred in captivity. When consumers predictably clamor for their own little Dory, fishermen will meet the demand by catching them in the wild, totally unregulated. This could bring some mothaf**kin’ ruckus to members of the Blue Tang Clan (too soon for jokes?).

Found near coral reefs in warm parts of the Pacific and Indian oceans, blue tang is also known Ol Dirty Fishtard, Raekwon the Fish, Fishface Killah, Infishtah Deck, and Mastah Fisha. Also, palette surgeonfish. Annually, 300,000 blue tang are among the global fish trade. Seeing as clownfish sales rose 40 percent following “Finding Nemo,” Dory’s headlining debut could see a similar spike in blue tang ownership.

Fish breeders are hard at work to raise blue tang in captivity, but the struggle is real. The fish are not threatened or endangered at the moment, but it’s feared the Dory craze could push them over the brink.

Here’s how you can protect their necks:

Earlier this month the Saving Nemo Conservation Fund started a campaign called A Million Kisses For Nemo. They’re hoping your fish-kiss faces uploaded to Instagram with the hashtag #fishkiss4Nemo will bring attention to the cause, getting the likes of DeGeneres and pretty much everyone else to settle for loving the animated Dory. And to let real Dorys populate our oceans without fearing the figurative Guillotine (Swordz) of the aquarium trade.

Scientists have issued a warning suggesting wild fish populations could be in danger if Pixar’s ‘Finding Dory’ proves to be a big hit later this year. The researchers from the University of Queensland and Flinders University in Australia say that clownfish populations on coral reefs have been declining ever since ‘Finding Nemo’ was released back in 2003 “due to the popularity of a ‘Nemo’ in household aquariums”. They estimate that over 1m clownfish are taken from the reefs every year, and are worried the same thing could happen again when the sequel is released in July. They’re hoping that by raising awareness of the problem they’ll be able to help the wild population of Dory’s breed, the blue tang. The boffins have set up the Saving Nemo Conservation Fund to educate people about the dangers of taking fish from the reefs, and to raise awareness of the captive breeding programs that supply pet shops with popular ornamental species like the clown fish and the blue tang. “What most people don’t realise is that about 90 per cent of marine fish found in aquarium shops come from the wild,” said UQ School of Biological Sciences PhD candidate and Saving Nemo Queensland Project Coordinator Carmen da Silva. “Reef fish populations are already struggling due to warmer sea temperatures and ocean acidification caused by global warming. The last thing they need is to be plucked off reefs.” The organisation has started a social media campaign #FishKiss4Nemo in a bid to gain the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, the popular talk show host who voices Dory. The campaign is hoping 1m “fish kiss” selfies from animal conservations around the world would be draw Ellen’s attention so that she can start raising awareness about the plight faced by the blue tang and clownfish. Protecting wildlife is one of the key themes of ‘Finding Dory’, so we’re sure Pixar will be happy to lend its weight to their cause. #FishKiss4Nemo @savingnemo_ @theellenshow

A photo posted by I Follow Back (@theojamesisbae11) on May 17, 2016 at 7:28am PDT

Let’s see that kissy-face:

#fishkiss4nemo 🐢 Through @FUMBAFUAA we have been helping raise funds for the not for profit organisation @savingnemo_ 🐠 90% of marine species for the aquarium trade come from the wild 🌱. The demand for clownfish has increased significantly with the release of Disney’s movie #findingnemo. Over 1 MILLION clownfish are taken from #thegreatbarrierreef and Phillipines every year to support the demand. This combined with coral bleaching events are leading the species to extinction. 🌊 #fishkiss4nemo is a campaign to get #amillionkissesfornemo and hopefully get @theellenshow as an Ambassador for @savingnemo_ @savingnemo_ are breeding clownfish in hatcheries to create sustainability in the aquarium trade and save our oceans. 🌏 All you have to do is challenge 3 or more friends to take a selfie and #fishkiss4nemo Don’t forget to tag @theellenshow and @savingnemo_ I challenge @millsy_nichele @tash_stuart @w00dsyy Jake Marshall, Patrick Johnston, @cameron_burns18 @ellyy_renee @graciedt @emmii_lou Dale Francis, Cam Smith, @maadiissoonn_ @dontwasteourwave @_tash_mcmahon_ @tash_stevenson @aleishaelle @owencarbery Sam Suke @craneblog @jdub_0811 Alistair Shields, Jackson Doherty, @mischashelly @tayla_dunnn @teshgrace 🐢🐋🐙🐠🦀🤘🏼

A photo posted by Elise Tuuri (@elisetuuri_) on May 26, 2016 at 2:56am PDT