A marine biologist in American Samoa wants the bumphead parrotfish to be declared endangered.
Dr Douglas Fenner says there's not enough protection in place for the rare fish and he wants the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to give it special designation.
He says currently there are no restrictions on season, size or bag limits for catching the fish and enforcement of closed fishing zones is inadequate.
Dr Fenner says the species is so rare, there is no evidence they can even be found in areas closed to fishing.
