Protected species
Threatened species are one category of protected fish. There are also a number of other rare fish that are protected from fishing or collecting. Although populations of these species are not currently declining, they must be protected so that they do not become threatened at some time in the future.
Species such as mangroves, seagrasses and seaweeds are important fish habitat and are also protected to maintain the health of aquatic communities and the productivity of our fisheries. For more information on aquatic habitat protection - see protecting habitats.