CONSUMING fish is generally considered to be beneficial to health. In short, eating fish provides high-quality protein, essential vitamins and healthy fats that support overall health.
But that does not mean we should be gobbling up everything that fishermen haul out from their nets. There are certain protected species which provide a more important function to the ecosystem than merely filling our bellies.
This was precisely the message being highlighted on Threads by Giashin (@giashn) who urged hungry Malaysians to AVOID purchasing the colourful sea creatures on ice at a NSK supermarket (branch not specified).
It was pointed out that these parrot fish are essential to keeping the coral reefs healthy. These reefs are vital to the marine ecosystem and consuming such seafood places the reefs under threat.
The simple plea was “there are literally plenty of fish in the sea. These are the ones you should NOT eat.”
This eco-awareness message has generated 5.1K Likes, 174 comments, 1.6 re-shares and 287 re-posts at time of publication, denoting that quite a number of Malaysians took the message seriously.
A nature-lover took the time to explain just what exactly these parrot fish do to protect the coral reefs.
One commenter summed up the perceived attitude of Malaysians towards this issue – “so not serious”.
Adding that he was sickened to see such protected species openly sold in wet markets everywhere, he asked what was the urgency in consuming these fishes? Were there not other fish to satisfy their seafood cravings?
It was then that a number of disappointed commenters highlighted the perceived nonchalance of locals towards the sale of prohibited items at grocers, eg baby sharks. Judging from the photos and comments, it does seem that the practice is common, if not widespread.
The NSK chain of supermarkets seem to come under fire for this practice with more than one conscientious shopper noticing exotic marine life on display at their counters.
Some sought to defend the fishermen from these nit-picking eco-warriors citing that they could not control the catch that landed in their nets.
But that did not stop the environment-friendly contingent from taking out their megaphones and screaming for action.
That’s when the penny dropped. One commenter quite rightly pointed out the parrot fish being sold at local grocers were NOT endangered. “Didn’t do your homework,” she admonished.
This issue has flared up before and the National Marine Research Institute confirmed in 2022 that the species of parot fish sold in local markets were NOT endangered.
“There is no official national ban on catching parrotfish in Malaysia, although such bans do exist in varying degrees in other parts of the world, such as in the Caribbean.
“Herbivorous fish, such as parrotfish, surgeonfish and rabbitfish don’t need to be protected because most of them are not under threat in Malaysia,” explained National Marine Park research centre director, Saupi Ismail four years ago when contacted by Twenty Two 13.
It is heartening to see that some Malaysians do indeed care enough to raise the alarm at what they thought was illegal sale of protected species of marine life. But apparently not enough to do some basic research that would have allayed their fears. –Sept 13, 2026
