By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulates), locally called ‘Mameng,’ was named as a flagship species of the world-famous Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP) of Oriental Mindoro.   “Declaring Mameng as a flagship species will certainly boost all efforts to protect and conserve not only the Apo Reef, but more importantly the rich biodiversity that thrive in the protected area,” Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu said. The declaration of Mameng as ARNP’s flagship species was contained in a resolution approved by DENR-Mimaropa and Protected Area Management Board last May 10. The resolution was pursuant to DENR memorandum order (MO) 1993-07, which provides for the declaration of a flagship species. Napoleon wrasse is one of the largest reef fishes and the biggest of the wrasse family, Labridae. It has thick lips and bulbous hump on the forehead. The species is marked with green and blue hues with elongated dark spots on scales, and two distinct lines stretching from each eye. It may grow up to six feet long and weighs up to 200 kilograms. The fish is commonly found on steep coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region, which include areas in Southeast Asia like the Philippines’ ARNP in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. It feeds on toxic animals, such as crown-of-thorns starfish, a poisonous starfish that feeds on corals. Contrary to its masculine name, Napoleon wrasses are hermaphrodite, which means some females can become males once they reach sexual maturity. As a flagship species, Napoleon wrasse will serve as the symbol of conservation of ARNP. Under MO 1993-07, a species can be declared a flagship species if it meets the following criteria: the species’ outstanding characteristics, occurrence, capacity to attract attention, and contribution to conservation areas. “We consider Napoleon wrasse as the guardian of the reef. It is a key player in maintaining balance and vibrancy of marine ecosystem in Apo Reef,” Park Superintendent Celso Almazan said. According to Almazan, ARNP owes its pink sand to the Napoleon wrasse as it feeds on mollusks, fishes, sea urchins, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Once digested, Almazan said that these are secreted by the fish as fine, pinkish organic materials which, over a long period of time, mix with fragmented rock and mineral particles, and form as sand. Napoleon wrasse is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, particularly under Appendix II. This means it is not necessarily threatened with extinction now but may become so in the future unless trade is closely monitored. The species is also listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “endangered” based on a population reduction of at least 50 percent over the last 30 years. The alarming drop in its population rate can be attributed to illegal, unregulated, and unreported trade of Napoleon wrasse.