“One Fish Could Save the Caribbean Reefs,” New Study Say
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| Jamaica Environment Trust raises awarness on Parrot Fish importance for Reef Environments. |
Jamaica Environment Trust says that there are certain
basic facts to be reflected upon before buying a parrot fish for meal. Recent
studies show that the specie of the large family Scaridae are key to saving the
Caribbean's coral reefs.
BBC News reported on July 2nd that Caribbean
coral reefs 'could vanish in 20 years'. Overfishing in the Caribbean of the
specie has led to an increased deterioration of the reef´s ecosystems.
The report by United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Global Coral
Reef Monitoring Network, which examined more than 35,000 surveys at 90
Caribbean locations since 1970 concluded that over half of the live corals have
been deteriorated in the past 50 years. The main factor was the excessive
fishing of coral fish and sea urchins. Ocean acidification and global
temperature alterations contributed to the event.
Parrot fish play important roles in the ecosystems of
the marine reefs of the Caribbean. They act as “cleaners”, contribute to sand
making process and provide other services.
The study assures that the most damaged reefs are
those of Miami, Virgin Islands and Jamaica. Areas of Bermuda, Mexico Golf and Bonaire have
showed less impact due to buffer created by protected areas. Despite the Caribbean reefs compose only 9% of the
world reefs these are essential to the regional and to international systems.
Only 16.6% of Caribbean reefs remain in their original state.
Culture of the Caribbean must now find a way to adapt
to modern times. Parrot fish –once abundant have been the center of traditional
and artisan fishing as well as key dishes of local island gourmet culture.
The report urges for the islands to protect areas from
over-fishing, coastal pollution, coastal development and mass tourism. The
specie must be given time to recover in population numbers. Healthiest reefs of
the Caribbean are those that home large populations of parrotfish.
Jamaica Environment Trust explains that there are over
80 species of parrot fish all varying in color and pattern even between males,
females and juveniles, with each going through a variety of color changes as
they age.
“They eat plant life, chew hard corals, digest encrusting
algae and zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae that lives in coral polyps), eat sea
grass and excrete coral as sand,” the Trust says adding that they “contribute
enormous amount of sediment to the sea bottom and beaches - over one ton of
sand per year!”
“Parrotfish play an important role in the growth of
coral reefs. Studies have shown when parrotfish are prevented from feeding
along the area of the reef, the coral is smothered by the growth of algal mats.
The grazing activity of parrotfish keeps this in check,” Jamaica Environment
Trust concludes.
As with other reef fish, parrotfish greatly depend on
the reef for food and protection. Likewise, the reef greatly depends on
parrotfish to maintain its health.
