Caribbean fights to protect high-value, declining species

By Michelle Nurse On Jul 28, 2015

The Nassau grouper is one of 19 Caribbean species the Wild Earth Guardians say are in need of protection. (Photo by Rick Smit/cc by 2.0 via Inter Press Service)

[su_pullquote]“TCI’s conch stocks are now in a critical phase. This means that unless the fishery is closed to allow the stocks to recover, it will probably collapse within the next four years.” — Biologist Kathleen Woods [/su_pullquote]KINGSTON, Jamaica (IPS) – Threats from climate change, declining reefs, over-fishing and possible loss of several commercial species are driving the roll-out of new policy measures to keep Caribbean fisheries sustainable.

Regional groups and the U.S.-based NGO Wild Earth Guardians have petitioned for the listing of some of the Caribbean’s most economically valuable marine species as vulnerable, endangered or threatened with extinction.

In addition, regional scientists believe that climate change could alter the ranges of some of the larger species and perhaps wipe out existing ones.