CORAL REEFS

Coral reefs are like the rainforests of the sea. They are richly diverse ecosystems that have taken centuries to form, but are fragile and in need of our protection.Worldwide, reef systems show signs of destruction due to pollution, coastal property development, the jewelry and aquarium trades, and careless recreational divers. As in the case of the rainforests, scientists are only just beginning to discover the potential of reefs as repositories for medicines that could cure disease and enrich our lives.

While you are on vacation in the tropics, you can do your part for conservation by never buying products made from coral, including jewelry. When you are snorkeling or diving, please don’t touch or stand on the coral, or break off pieces for souvenirs! Remember, though they may look like rocks, the reefs are in fact vast colonies of small living animals (called polyps) that are very delicate. If you touch them, you will not only get a severe skin irritation much worse than that caused by poison ivy, but you will also damage or kill these unique life forms. Please help preserve this beautiful underwater world for future generations. Respect the reef!

If you are interested in finding out more about coral reefs and their conservation, contact CORALations -- a hands-on, grassroots, non-profit organization based in the Caribbean. They are an excellent source of information for all aspects of the Caribbean reef. Visit CORALations' web site at http://www.coralations.org, or call them toll-free at: 1-877-77CORAL.

Other reef conservation groups include the Center for Marine Conservation (website http://www.cmc-ocean.org), the Cousteau Society, Greenpeace International, and the National Wildlife Federation (website http://www.nwf.org/nwf/).

SEA TURTLES

There are five species of sea turtle found in the waters off the United States and the Caribbean islands -- the Kemp's Ridley, Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, and Hawksbill. The turtles you are most likely to see when snorkeling or diving in the Caribbean are the Green and the Hawksbill. It is very exciting to see one of these animals swimming in the wild. Though your first instinct may be to rush over for a closer look, if you view the turtle at a distance and swim with him quietly, he is much more likely to stay and let you watch him while he goes about his business.

500 years ago, our tropical seas were rich with turtles. They were so plentiful in the Caribbean that early explorers used to recount that you could almost walk from one island to another on the backs of the turtles. Unfortunately, such eloquent words marked the beginning of a steep decline for the species. With New World exploration came a huge demand for their meat, eggs, shells, oil and leather. Like so many other animal species at this time, the sea turtle was driven to near extinction. Things have not improved in modern times. Nowadays, commercial fishing and shrimping, pollution, and coastal property development are but the latest problems for these ancient, mysterious creatures. All five species of sea turtle found in U.S. waters are now listed as either threatened or endangered.

As a tourist, you can do your part to protect sea turtles by NEVER buying products made from their shells or skins, and never eating turtle meat, soup or eggs. In addition, like any educated consumer, you can ask this question whether you are at a restaurant or the grocery store: "Were the shrimp I am about to eat caught with turtle safe nets?" Thousands of sea turtles are drowned each year in shrimping nets that do not uses TEDs -- Turtle Excluder Devices. These devices are low-tech and inexpensive, and should be as commonly used as dolphin-safe nets.

To find out more about sea turtles, there are many wildlife groups you can contact, including Center for Marine Conservation, the Cousteau Society, the National Wildlife Federation, and Greenpeace International. The Caribbean Conservation Corporation is specifically dedicated to the protection of sea turtles; visit their website at http://www.turtles.org/ccc.htm. CORALations (http://www.coralations.org) is also actively involved in sea turtle education and conservation. They have coordinated an exciting nesting observation program for Leatherback sea turtles that involves local young people and tourists in the protection of these animals.


CARIBBEAN PARROTS

At present there are 5 species of parrot to be found in the West Indies. They live on the islands of Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Cuba, and Dominica.

Though not as well known as their cousins in Central and South America, they are equally striking and impressive. They are seldom seen nowadays because they have been pushed to the brink of extinction by hunting, illegal pet trade, and habitat destruction.

These parrots are not only fascinating for their beautiful plumage and distinct personalities, but also because each species is unique to only one island. For example, the St. Vincent parrot lives only on St. Vincent, a very small island in the southeast Caribbean chain.

For more information about Caribbean parrots and their conservation, call the RARE Center for Tropical Conservation at 215/735-3510, e-mail rare@rarecenter.org, or check out their website at http://www.rarecenter.org.