The waters off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are a tropical paradise teeming with life. Although Caribbean leaders have made progress toward ending and preventing overfishing, it is critical to do more.
Managers must protect places where fish live and spawn, recognize the important roles that fish play in ocean ecosystems, and set fishing rules that account for their contributions. Coral reefs, marine life, and idyllic beaches draw millions of tourists who power the Caribbean economy. It is growing more economically important to restore these valuable resources through smart management that takes a big-picture view of what it takes to make the ocean healthy.