Fishes
The seas abound with fish, with several hundred species living in San Salvador's clear waters. Many depend on the coral reefs for sustenance, but others are found primarily in sea grasses, among rocks, on a sandy seafloor, or in open water. A few small species also occur on the inland lakes. Here, we will eventually describe some of the major groups of fishes and illustrate their poignant beauty with colorful photographs.
As a renewable resource, fishes
provide a historically rich and seemingly endless source of protein for
humans. However, the more sought-after species, including groupers,
snappers, and even sharks and barracuda, are highly vulnerable to overfishing. Once dramatically reduced in size, populations can crash
and take years--even decades--to recover. Protected areas are essential
to provide "seed areas" for repopulating areas where harvesting occurs.
At present, San Salvador has no protected areas.
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| Cowfish |
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| Angel fish |
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| Murrey Eel |
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| Grouper |
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| Porkfish |
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| Barracuda |
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| Lizardfish |
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| Hammerhead Shark |
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