Religious 'Mercy Release' of Hybrid Groupers Threatens Hong Kong's Marine Ecosystems

The introduction of Grouper-Giant Grouper hybrids, bred for aquaculture, disrupts local biodiversity and food webs, researchers warn.

The Tiger Grouper-Giant Grouper hybrid (TGGG), also known as the Sabah grouper, is released into Hong Kong waters as part of Buddhist and Taoist 'mercy release' rituals.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong found that the hybrid groupers exploit untapped ecological niches, outcompeting native species and disrupting local food webs.
Using advanced DNA metabarcoding, scientists determined that TGGG consume a wide range of prey, including fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, not typically eaten by native predators.
The hybrid's rapid growth, large size, and lack of natural predators position it as a dominant predator, posing significant risks to marine biodiversity.
Experts emphasize the need for public education and stricter conservation measures to mitigate the ecological damage caused by mercy release practices.