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.

TAKE ACTION

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!

Petitionlink   http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/paradise_lost