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St. Vincent bans shark fin fishing and harvesting of parrot fish
As of December 1, 2019, parrot fish harvesting will be banned and any attempt to pursue shark fin fishing will also be illegal in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Although shark fin fishing is not currently practiced in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the island nation aims to implement the legal framework to outlaw shark fin fishing in support of the global conservation efforts promoted by the United Nations.
The preservation of the parrot fish is important, given the animal’s ability to produce up to 700 lbs of sand each year through the digestion of algae and dead coral. Their feeding activity is important for the production and distribution of coral sands in the reef biome, and can prevent algal overgrowth of the reef structure. The teeth grow continuously, replacing material worn away by feeding.
Hon. Saboto Caesar, the island’s Minister of Fisheries, commended stakeholders for their support and encouragement in protecting the island's biodiversity.