 
To help save the reefs of the Caribbean, get active with these groups: Caribbean Marine Research Center
Caribbean Natural Resources Institute
Center for Marine Conservation
Clean Islands International, Inc.
Global Coral Reef Alliance
Island Resources Foundation
Oceanographic Expeditions
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
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 | | Sewer Mouth: Feasting on untreated sewage, algae are wiping out Caribbean corals, like this Gorgonian soft coral with polyps extended for feeding. Photo: Norbert Wu | Anguilla (U.K.)
Although Anguilla's 10,500 residents are one of the Caribbean's most tourism-dependent populations, they and their coral reefs have largely avoided the ravages of megatourism. When Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in 1997 began eyeing Prickly Pear Island, an uninhabited coral island off Anguilla's coast, as a possible stopover point, islanders were wary of the plan, but not for ecological reasons: Chief Minister Hubert Hughes sobbed to the Associated Press that "The alarm of tourist people in Anguilla is that we should not have thousands of cruise passengers flooding our beaches...because it will affect the upper market people who want the beaches for themselves." Quite right. By all means keep a stiff upper market, Mr. Hughes. Barbados (U.K.)
This British commonwealth has depleted its mangroves, and more than 90 percent of its domestic waste is untreated before disposal, causing eutrophication (overnutrition that boosts coral competitors like algae). This and a decline in grazing urchin numbers have increased algal growth. Hurricanes have also damaged reefs, and then there's the familiar pollution panoply of oil, sewage, farm runoff, industrial waste, construction erosion, and tourism: In October 1997 The Nation reported that tourists visiting Barbados used between six and 10 times as much water and electricity as locals. The government seems of little help. In June 1996, citizens outraged by plans to build a massive garbage dump within a Barbados national park sued the government. The Scotland District Association argued that the dump would be built in an unstable area prone to landslides, and that a strong storm would wash the dump away, sloughing uncounted tons of trash and mud onto the island's reefs and beaches. Attorney General David Simmons managed to have the case thrown out less than two months later because the activists had omitted a court filing. Dominica
The tiny island state of Dominica's reefs and fisheries have generally deteriorated, thanks in part to untreated sewage and oil-related pollution. Deforestation and coastal construction have exacerbated soil erosion, causing siltation of reefs and smothering corals. Grenada
Reefs and reef fisheries have deteriorated here, largely as a result of sewer discharge: Less than 10 percent of Grenada's domestic waste is treated before disposal, causing eutrophication (overnutrition) that spurs the growth of algae, choking corals. Coastal waters are also polluted with fertilizer and pesticide runoff from agriculture. And a new threat is in the neighborhood: Since 1997 Grenadine reefs have been attacked by rapid wasting disease. Guadeloupe (France)
Reefs and reef fisheries around this French isle have deteriorated; coastal mangroves have been depleted, and less than 10 percent of domestic waste is treated before disposal, causing eutrophication (overnutrition from sewage) and increased algal growth on reefs. Deforestation has increased soil runoff, throwing silt onto reefs and smothering corals, and pollution from oil, fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial discharges remains a significant threat. On the bright side, anchorages are restricted and buoys have been placed off Pigeon Island to help protect the reefs there. Haiti
Haiti's catastrophic deforestation has hugely increased soil erosion, causing siltation of reefs and smothering corals. Sewage and industrial wastes further pollute coastal waters. Martinique (France)
Reefs and reef fisheries in Martinique have deteriorated as mangroves have been cut down and deforestation has increased soil runoff, dumping silt on reefs and smothering corals. As in most Caribbean territories, sewage is causing overnutrition of the algae that suffocate the reefs.
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