Appeal launched to remove reef fish from local plates
(CNS): Cayman’s reef fish, along with the coral they feed on, are in crisis, and Courtney Platt, a well-known underwater photographer and conservationist, is appealing to the community and visitors to stop eating fish caught on local reefs, especially the critically important but rapidly disappearing parrot fish, aka squabs.
“If you can afford to eat anything else, then please choose to eat anything else,” he told CNS recently when he spoke to us about the start of this campaign to remove local fish from our plates, at least until the numbers recover.
Platt, who has been documenting Cayman’s underwater world for more than four decades with iconic images, said the situation under the sea is now dire. It needs every one of us living here or visiting to think long and hard about consuming reef fish before they disappear from our waters.
Platt says this is not an alarmist position; fishermen constantly talk about how the fish have declined, a result of years of take that was simply unsustainable. If fishing what little remains continues unabated, there is no doubt that it will be gone completely in just a few years, and with it will go the coral reefs and our beautiful world-renowned beaches.
Platt said that when he first began diving in the Cayman Islands in the early 1980s, there was an abundance of fish, but a combination of factors, including overfishing, has led to a horrifying decline that will be hard to recover from. But the country must start reversing the trend.
While all the reef fish that people commonly eat, such as snapper, barracuda, triggerfish and grouper, are disappearing, the plight of the parrotfish, which is critically important to replenishing Cayman’s beaches, may be of the most concern.
Platt described one of the three main species of these fish, the blue parrotfish, as the “unicorns of the sea” because he has not seen one in many years. They have become like mythical creatures, as many people have never seen one.
In 2015, Platt captured what is now an exceptionally rare image of three species of parrotfish that were once found in abundance in local waters, which was the last time he said he saw a blue parrotfish.
He said all parrotfish are “super important to our beaches” which are eroding due to a disasteous combination of over-development, climate change and over-fishing of parrotfish. Not everyone is aware that parrotfish literally poo sand. But their numbers are in perilous decline, and most are small because the fish are caught before they can reach maturity. As a result, the natural beach service they provide is being lost.
Facing an uphill battle to get the message out, Platt plans to begin the rounds speaking to any groups he can, from schoolrooms to churches, and anywhere else where he can bring together large groups of people, young and old, to listen to his presentation. He plans to use his extensive catalogue of beautiful images to tell the story of the decline, to explain how it can be reversed, why it should be, and above all to urge people to stop eating reef fish.
He said it was horrendous to realise how few people are aware of the problem and how little they know about how serious the decline in local fish stocks has become. While more laws restricting catch are going to be needed to make a real difference in the first instance, regardless of the law, he wants to raise awareness to such an extent that people will want, for the sake of their environment, to stop consuming the locally caught fish and eat something else instead.
A good alternative dish is lionfish, an invasive species that has become prolific, and aggressively competes for food and space with Cayman’s native fish, threatening reef biodiversity. Given how well overfishing works on decimating a species, in the case of lionfish, the goal is exactly that.
“Consumers can either be part of the problem or the solution,” Platt said as he outlined his mission to tell as many people as possible that by eating local reef fish, they will ultimately clean out the ocean, and there will be none left. “Many people, especially new residents, have a distinct lack of awareness regarding the severity of the decline. It really is very severe,” he noted.
His goal is to make everyone understand the critically low levels and to make it socially unacceptable to consume reef fish. He would like to see people not only choose to stop consuming them but also urge others to join them and spread the word to everyone.
Asking restaurants and stores to stop serving and stocking locally caught fish is a “big ask” when there is such a high demand. So Platt believes that targeting the consumer to voluntarily choose to eat anything else” will, in the end, lead to a decline in commercial fishing.
He said the depletion of the reef fish is not just about the environment; it’s about Cayman’s tourism product. The type of photographs he was once able to take of the stunning underwater world here was the reason why so many people visited Cayman in the past. Even though there are still some fish in our waters, it’s nothing compared to what there once was, and the situation is unsustainable.
Fish that live on the reef or feed on the drop-off are no longer able to come even close to reproducing at the rate needed to match what humans take, even after more than forty years of marine protections.
Platt is planning on fundraising for his campaign, but is starting with a call for volunteers to help him reach out to the community. Most important of all, he is seeking invitations to talk about the unsustainable situation we are currently in and the desperate need for people to stop consuming fish.
Anyone who would like to host Platt for an awareness session can contact him on
WhatsApp 1 (345) 916 1945
or email courtney@candw.ky
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Category: Marine Environment, Science & Nature
Government giving planning permission to kill tons of mangrove and people wondering why there are no fish anymore…. Mangroves are fish nurseries for all sorts of fish. How about that massive 100 million dollar estate being built north of Crystal harbour. Bunch of sell outs allowing that to be built….
Caymanians are great at pointing out problems, blaming them on others, and not following their own rules. It’s cultural and can not be stopped. Just plan on reality, the fish and turtles stocks always being decimated and the ones crying the most are the most to blame.
Nobody wants parrotfish populations and coral degradation. But let’s not rush to blame all humans. Local fishermen aren’t out there depleting stocks on purpose; they’re often just people rooted in Caymanian/Caribbean culture, working hard to provide for their families and doing what they learned to do from childhood. Scuba divers, too, are drawn to explore these waters, not to harm it. The issues are complex, tied to the balance between human livlihood and protecting our marine environment.
What’s amazing, though, is that human progress has brought us to a place where we can focus on conservation. Not long ago, most Caymanians were focused on day-to-day survival—making ends meet with little room to think about reefs or fish populations. Today, thanks to advancements in technology, food security, and knowledge, we have the ability to care about parrotfish and take action to protect them and the beaches they help maintain. Sure, we make mistakes, but our progress gives us the tools and mindset to adapt and make improvements. Instead of blanket bans that could disrupt lives and cultural traditions, let’s push for solutions that support both people and the planet. We’re doing better than we often think, and with collaboration, we can do even more.
License everyone. Local’s and non local. Significant revenue, stand in line like everywhere else in the world to get your license. Buying bait, show your license to buy it. Actual enforcement 24/7. hell, most people know what enforcement officers are working and when. Joke. It’s simple. grow sum balls. Tourism is part of this too, so maybe the Peanut an avid fisherman can sink dem teeth into this. It’s a joke when catch of the day is mahimai when you can barely catch one anymore…its all from mexixo or thailand, flown in just like the majority of the workers. tipping point well tipped and gone. Public education a joke. Police a joke. and as a Caymanian where to go…
The top poachers ain’t Caymanians anymore like everything else now going on in this little place. So you need to direct that request to unnah compadres out here in our waters and shoreline supplementing unnah diets and restaurants with our marine life. What a real mess this little place is in. Its time we send them back home with papers included they are the worst violators
Fish stocks came back during the Covid 19 pandemic so we know two things one what our problems are and two what the solution is.
It ain’t Caymanians supplementing their diets with local marine life now! Don’t complaining about it this is our reckless government who simply need to stop importing these third world bad actors. We have proof of this when fish stocks bounce back during Covid 19! But our greedy political blight called the ppm could not curb their gluttonous appetite so they once again open the flood gates and let in this veracious hoard now obliterating everything in their path.
Too many people here think the waters are ever abundant. They are, but only when fished with need and caution. Caymanian people are focused on the politics telling you expats are the problem while raking in the cash from expats. Caymanian politicians tell you lies while stuffing their pockets.
Our dumbass expat dive “captains” need to learn how to check the weather forecast! There is no excuse for leaving your boat on the west side of the island when a strong westerly wind is blowing. I hope insurance doesn’t pay out, because the boats that got wrecked today was pure negligence! I also hope they clean up the mess they have made and get hit with a hefty environmental fine for the debris, oil and diesel they just contaminated our precious environment with!
I stopped eating Grouper and all other locally caught seafood many years ago. I love seafood, but it must be sustainable, and there is no sustainable fishery here in Cayman.
More for me to eat.
Wow..yall still love to talk of Dumbass locals ie. Riff Raff.
Mr pick a cause.. I don’t accept the spirit of your “message”, as locals have never, but are now starting their own rude attacks (some in defence and most now justified) against watersports expats.
I therefore reject your content, until a better foreigner attitude is displayed generally.
Why?
Many of us KNOW and have reported dive operators/divers running to their trucks at nights with hampers of fresh lobster and fish.
I have too. But, NO enforcement is offered by police and DoE.
I’ve seen the divers’ short “lines” used to catch choice fish underwater. I was on the boat diving with them! And this was a major operator.
I’ve been out trolling and had diveboats swerve behind us and cut away our lines.
My brother with me was a marine police officer..
We blasted radio warnings and reports on our marine radio as it happened!
Guests on the dive boats were shouting at the captain who was ignoring our shouts just yards away!
we chased the boat down and made them pay for our fishing gear.
They begged not to press charges but we should have.
I’ve experienced divers illegally cutting the ropes and wires of our licensed DOE approved fishpots (2), And don’t start about Responsible Use.
They were very properly used.. big holes, no baby fish kept etc.
I’ve experienced dive boats trying to run us from being tied government’s permanent mooring, installed for ANY boater to use, as if they own them.
In all cases they added to their tender eared lexicon
So, what I’m saying is that the new “Speedo Captains” as an MP once called them, are the real irritants.
They are hindering the responsible appreciation of the marine world, when they should be making school presentations and boat outings, to prep the next generation of divers.
They will use and destroy little government docks with their mega ton vessels, and launching ramps for COMMERCIAL use which is illegal, yet erect signs and metal fences to keep local kids and adults from catching a squab or watching a sunset..
Then label us Riff Raff and harass us to the point of the recent public protests.
Then, when scoundrels throw their tanks and equipment into the ocean as we have seen, they cry foul.
So buddy, you didn’t know what Cayman was when I and my country folk were surviving by eating snapper, squabs and, yes, turtle.
Im sure your countryfolk also made life on whatever you could catch, hunt or squirm.
Lots of us here would support you, as we welcomed yall once, if you stop tearing up reefs barreling through the North Sound,
Stop wringing out tails all year so all we find when lobster season opens are thousands of empty heads..fresh and old!
Conchs too! Ive spoken with a DIVE couple who said they were moving to Bahamas where they could.make MORE money getting conch and lobster!
Even other expats who have destroyed ALL sizes andnspecies, even in marine parks, to the point that government recently toughened the fishing laws.
In fact, NO visitor or permit holder should be fishing or diving without a license.
Why don’t you instead petition to stop that, or to restaurants buying your illegal lobster and conch..and fish!?
Why don’t you teach marine repairs to 10 to 20 kids yearly?
Whatever it is..yall can do better.
Stop fussing with our kids and fishermen. We’re a small minority and we have a Sovereign Right tomorrow few resources left. The terrestrial is almost gone, from overpriced, money laundered? property prices.
Leave our lawful fishermen alone.
Who is damaging our beach and reefs more..us or the many Sea Walls, groins, mangrove decimation etc.
it’s not locals slathering the seas with toxic sunscreen or overcrowding stingray city!
You appear as a pseudo conservationist wannabe intellectual when you ignore these, and worse behaviors by prominent expats – and locals!
This expat supports you!
I agree with your comments, suggestions and observations. Your anger and frustration is palpable.
I also agree with Courtney’s campaign of conservation and replenishment.
You should reach out to Courtney, I think together you’ll make a bigger impact for what you’re both fighting for. I believe it’ll be a win-win together.
And remember, two things can be true at once.
Can we also put a total ban on targeting the mutton and grey snapper spawns!? Every year dumbass greedy LOCALS target these spawns, which decimate their numbers. They did it to the Nassau grouper, and they’re now working on wiping out the snappers.
They will blame dwindling snapper stocks on Jamaicans and Filipinos, but the biggest problem is LOCALS targeting them while they spawn! There is even a couple of tour boats monetizing the practice by taking tourists out to wipe out the snapper spawns.
Greed and stupidity are rife!
8:13 I agree. Finally someone with a little sense!
Why couldn’t you make it in your hometown?
are you here for charity. or forwarded and profits?
spit it out Hypocrite.
I’m a Caymanian with some sense you dumbass poacher.
How do you know the comment wasn’t from a local who gives a shit about the environment?
In discussing this moot issue, writers like this one are comfortable to replace Riff Raff with Dumbass, as an new Fave insult behind anonymous posts.
So then, if locals formally adopt Driftwood as their moniker, all should balance out, since is is patently evident the quality of their floatsom and jetsom drifting here in the modern era.
We need to ban our dumbass local charter “captains” from harvesting anything from the shallow reef. Conch, lobster and reef fish should all be protected from tour boats. These idiots don’t realize they are out there killing the creatures that people come here to see! Catch and release only on tours for all shallow water reef species! Do it now Peanut!
And who going to pay for the enforcement? It’s not going to stop by magic, nonsense idea
Fishing licenses.
Go and snorkel up and down the reef in the sound, Their everywhere.
Caymankind
I support this initiative.
I also support a ban on selling and consuming turtle meat.
Bunch of expats trying to take our Cayman. Leave us alone and go back to where you came from. Hurry up!
ThisIslandsBelongToKingCharles
Greedy humans killing the world day by day. From plants to animals of all sorts, greed and profits are the black death of our pale blue dot.
Get rid of the fish market for a start. They do not care what they sell. A bunch of rogues and Vagabonds. Fueled by wood
Yup. And fueled by Driftwood gtfffoo
I was told that for some years now, that the fish market sellers don’t actual catch the fish they clean and sell. That the fish is purchased wholesale offshore from 3rd party fishing boats in the area, 12 miles or less from shore. Anyone with insight know if this is true?
You are correct. Al fish is treated with chemicals and comes from Honduras
Do not touch it.
The health people need do something about it.
so why are the politicians allowing east end fishermen to SEINE the YELLOW JACKS WHILE THEY ARE SPAWNING! by the thousands inside the reef every year?????
no wonder i hardly catch um while fishing here…in brac and little cayman…no seine nets allowed…a very healthy population exists….why? psst..many felliw caymanians will hate this post..abd naybe me….IDFC…lol
Recently losing our underwater musically immersive cricket-like clicking to crickets-like silence signals a catastrophic collapse of Crown jewels.
I truly hope the cause is overfishing the species, not a plague killing our coral.
sadly, these fish will only be removed from plates when they’re all gone. That’s just the way things seem to go in this land of ignorance, power, greedy and gluttony.
There just needs to be a complete moratorium on taking anything from our waters for a 5 year period. If you want to fish – go to the 12 mile banks.
Watch how everything rebounds including coral and sand production and Cayman can become an ecological oasis and example for other islands to follow.
Good idea! Lets ban SCUBA diving for 5 years as well. The coral needs a break from divers touching it, clipping it with their clumsy fins, and poisoning it with sunblock and deodorants.
Wait…. scratch the deodorant part. Most divers stink of BO.
Exactly. I understand your sentiment
I appreciate the positive comments and hope to see you all at one of my presentations soon, in which I attempt to answer all of the usual questions, including follow-up Q&A. To address some of the useful comments above… Parrotfish (squab) and Nassau Grouper can no longer be taken by spear. Government is currently trying hard to pass a new regulation that will eliminate any take by non-Caymanians at all. Make it so! The second call to action in my presentation is to put the marine parks app from DoE on your phones so that you will see on a map where you are in relation to protected areas and what the regulations are for each species. We can and must add thousands of eyes to law enforcement. Woes be to the poachers if we all do our part! Of course, we also need more enforcement officers, but this public assistance will go a long way! Please call me to arrange a presentation to your group… the bigger the better. CITA, Chamber, Rotary, every school, every church. Let’s go!
oh my gosh! People eat parrot fish?! I think it would be better if they eat some of these nuisance dogs on island instead
In many countries and Islands of the world, Parrot fish are protected
And they ought to be here, from EVERYONE.
This is just another battle that will never be won as Cayman keeps importanting impoverished peoples to use as its labor force. They will fish our reefs out completely as they live low and tight here and send all their money back to India, Nepal, Philippines and Jamaica. Along with no enforcemnt of shoreline fishing licenes. They also fish at night and earliy morning hours hwne no one is watching. Same as the driving problem. Now the Filipinos are driving electric bikes with no registration in the road like regualr traffic cars.
Police the selling of “small fishing hooks” and there will be an increase in reef fish.
THIS IS THE ISSUE YOUR CORRECT
As usual, it’s all the fault of furriners. Caymanians are not responsible for any of the problems in Cayman. Such bullshit.
Importanting
Just make it illegal to sell parrot fish. However hardley any fish for sale locally with the exception of mahi or wahoo are caught in local waters. This includes whats sold on the waterfront.
fishermen…pillagers of the seas.
produce nothing…they just take, take, take.
Start with banning fishing in South Sound. Landing a juvenile snapper 9 inches long off Red Bay dock and actually keeping it in a bucket, might be why there are such low fish numbers.
South Sound Dock*** I don’t care what the sign says.
if Mr Platt wants to achieve success with his campaign he must realise to reach the main consumer group of this endangered species, i.e. vulnerable low income/slave wages paid workers he will need to walk on the iron shore and speak directly to them.
This is not true. They fish for the sport of fishing…and because they can. Ask em next time you make these assumptions.
LOLLL.. fish for sport, right!!
Asians. Whelks. periwinkles. buggage. bleeding Teeth..
Eat anything Bobo. Das why you afraid you gonna go on the ironshore
Mr? hmm. This is a women.
Um try again
Suzy Soto’s has been advocating for the parrot fish for years now. I hope that it becomes a reality and the taking of any parrot fish will become illegal.
Good luck with this initiative, hopefully it will help. Parrot Fish used to be super common, today not so much.
Unless we can figure out how to reverse global warming, taking a few blue squabs off the fried fish menu will have 0% desired impact on the overall health of our ecosystem and marine life population.