Trochus has been referred to as “top snail” in the South Pacific regions. Scientifically known as trochus niloticus, its harvest fishery began as early as the 1900’s and had flourished until the 1950’s. The trochus fishery was very lucrative then as it provided for the manufacture of various products ranging from buttons to jewelry; and the meat of the trochus provided yet another source of food. However, when plastics became popular in the 1950’s, the industry declined.
In Palau, the trochus harvest fishery has been more than just a source of income for the citizens of the country. It has, as in the South Pacific, been a lucrative industry and so much more. The trochus harvest season has been a time-honored tradition for families to join in an activity that connects them to the reefs and the past.
Palauans and everyone who go out this season, however, must be considerate of the trochus niloticus – the reef mower – and its surrounding environment.
According to Steven Victor, Head of the Research Department of the Palau International Coral Reef Center, the trochus niloticus are the “lawn mowers” of the reefs.
Victor had indicated that the trochus eats algae and helps manage algae growth on Palau’s reefs.
“They eat algae; thus providing opportunities for coral growth. In addition, they prevent algae succession, which if left uncontrolled would kill live corals,” Victor stated.
Victor further added that people who go out this season must adhere to the prescribed size of trochus – 3 inches at the base of the shell – to take. He added that indiscriminate taking of the trochus will upset the “ecological balance of the reefs,” which would result in irreversible damages.
“All life in the ocean is interrelated and interdependent. For example, if people were allowed to harvest trochus of any size, the trochus population would be depleted. With the trochus gone, algae would flourish and blanket the corals, which will eventually suffocate and die. Fish will either die or go elsewhere for shelter and fishermen will have to go farther and farther away from the shore in order to catch them.Nature is balanced and we must try as much as we can to keep it that way,” Victor commented.
Victor also indicated that the most of the corals in Palau were bleached in 1998, during El Niño, and have since recovered significantly.
“People who go out this season should be more conscious of where they drop anchor in order to minimize coral damage. Whenever possible, people should always anchor their boats in areas that are free of coral growth,” he said.
