At the CSMB offices this morning, we were all deeply saddened by news of the death of six year old Jeremy Ryan, who's mangled, ravaged body was found washed up on the coast of eastern Saudi Arabia in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The boy, son of famed Marine Biology educator Cris Ryan (currently working at the Smithsonian Marine Station), was vacationing with his family on the sunny beaches of Yanbu when he spotted a sparkle and flash of colour in the crystal clear waters. His curiosity soon lead to his tragic death, and before his parents could hear even a shout from his lips, he was attacked and killed by the beautiful yet deadly Clown Triggerfish.
Jeremy Ryan's (pictured left) death marks the fourth Triggerfish incident since 2007.The Clown Triggerfish, mostly known by it's scientific name of Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), has a fantastic colouration, making this species instantly recognisable when seen. The eyes of this deceptively harmless fish are generally masked with a white or yellow stripe crossing over the snout, and the mouth of the Clown Triggerfish is bright yellow with a white line behind it.
CSMB wishes to issue a formal travel warning to those with plans to visit the vicinity of the Red Sea. There has been a marked rise in aggression in the Clown Triggerfish and related fish in the Trigger family, and studies are currently being conducted in a joint collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, and The American University in Cairo (AUC).
Our heartfelt sympathies and thoughts are with the Ryan family today.
No comments:
Post a Comment