A global research team spearheaded by the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), in collaboration with the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) in Bremen, has conducted an in-depth study of reefs around the globe. Their goal was to identify the locations of fish communities that are most visually appealing to humans and to understand the reasons behind these patterns.
This is a significant issue, as the beauty of fish represents a non-material benefit of reefs to human well-being, which directly influences people’s motivation to protect these delicate ecosystems. The findings of this research have recently been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Nature’s beauty plays a vital role in shaping our emotional ties to ecosystems and our readiness to safeguard them. This is particularly relevant for reefs, known for being some of the most colourful and diverse habitats on the planet. Their stunning appearance draws millions of visitors each year and provides substantial economic advantages, particularly in tropical regions of the Global South.
As these extraordinary ecosystems face rapid degradation, their protection remains essential. The study’s findings emphasize that by conserving reefs, we not only bolster fisheries and tourism but also enhance human well-being. Lead authors Matthew McLean (UNCW) and Nicolas Mouquet (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique—CNRS), along with co-author Sonia Bejarano (ZMT), evaluated the perceived beauty of over 3,500 groups of reef fish from around the world. The team integrated data from a global reef monitoring initiative with evaluations of the aesthetic appeal of fish species, collected through public surveys.
Researchers discovered that the perceived beauty of reef fish communities is at its highest in diverse tropical marine protected areas, and this beauty can be enhanced by preserving reefs in a coral-dominated condition. The study indicates that this beauty is not only closely associated with the variety of species but also with the presence of particularly vibrant or uniquely shaped fish.
“Reefs play a vital ecological role, connect people to nature and support local tourism, so protecting their beauty should be a key goal of conservation,” says McLean.
“Marine protected areas help to preserve this connection while promoting sustainable tourism, which is essential for the local economy in many countries of the Global South,” adds Bejarano from ZMT.
[Image: Butterflyfish such as the “Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish” (Chaetodon ulietensis) count among the reef fish perceived as beautiful in the study. This photo was taken in a reef in Indonesia. Credit: Sonia Bejarano, Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT)]
More information: Matthew McLean et al, Conserving the beauty of the world’s reef fish assemblages, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415931122
Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
