Fiji's kawakawa - or grouper - fish population has declined by 70 percent in the last 30 years.
Spawning Kawaka (grouper) in Fiji. Photo: Paul McKenzie - 4FJ
A new study, conducted by Yvonne Sadovy of the University of Hong Kong and Fiji's Ministry of Fisheries, was conducted around Viti Levu, the main island.
The executive director of Change Pacific, Scott Radway, said a newly-introduced four month seasonal ban on fishing kawakawa was needed because the species would probably disappear otherwise.
The Fiji Times reported that the ban applies during the kawakawa's peak breeding season.