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Caribbean becoming a paradise lost
The colorful corals and idyllic sand beaches of the Caribbean attract millions of people from across the globe. But did you know that fish keep the corals healthy and create the sand that has made this region a vacationer's paradise?
Then you'll be alarmed to know that fish are fast disappearing from Caribbean waters due to chronic overfishing. Parrotfish eat the algae that smothers coral, decimating critical habitat for hundreds of species of marine creatures. When they digest tiny portions of coral, they excrete sand. Each parrotfish can make up to 200 pounds of sand a year, but they are fast disappearing from Caribbean waters.
Overfishing is threatening one of the most beautiful marine ecosystems on Earth. But there are few limits on fishing and few effective conservation rules. Please help us change this dire situation and save the Caribbean paradise. Will you please send a letter to the Caribbean Fishery Management Council?
Use the email below as a guide but please add your own comments!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please protect the Caribbean ecosystem
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
You and fellow council members are trusted with maintaining the beauty and value of a tropical paradise like no other. I am writing to encourage the council to save this treasure by putting an end to overfishing.
I support swift, strong action to enact scientifically sound limits on the numbers of fish caught annually. I also encourage the council to act conservatively in the absence of robust data, in order to preserve the health of the Caribbean's reefs, fish and coastal economy.
It will take courage, foresight and wisdom to do what's right. I applaud the council's dedication to this task and hope its actions will save the Caribbean ecosystem for future generations.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
August 14, 2009
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Brilliant coral reefs and idyllic stretches of sand make the Caribbean one of the world's most breathtaking beach destinations. Yet severe overfishing threatens these environmental and economic jewels.
Fish on the Caribbean reef have been declining at about 5 percent annually for the last decade, according to international researchers. Snapper, grouper, conch and parrotfish are all being fished too fast to ensure their survival.
Loss of large predator fish, such as Nassau grouper, is linked to the coral reef's decline. And overfishing of the colorful parrotfish has severe consequences for the coral and beaches because parrotfish actually create sand. When they eat organisms that live on coral, such as algae, bits of coral that are picked up in their mouths are excreted as sand. One parrotfish can chew coral into 200 pounds of sand each year.
Currently there are no rules that successfully limit the numbers or size of snappers, groupers or parrotfish that fishermen can catch. But the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, which manages fish resources in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, is required by law to end overfishing by setting scientifically based limits on the numbers of fish caught annually. Plans are under way to meet these requirements.
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