Parrotfish Restore Order to Coral Reefs

Normally, the Nassau grouper makes its meals of parrotfish, so it might seem that a no-fishing zone that increases the number of groupers would be bad news for the parrotfish, and in turn, the reef. Not so, researchers found.

It turns out that parrotfish in the reserve have grown larger and faster and can escape the grouper's snapping mouths. The bigger parrotfish are also more efficient reef grazers, which keeps the reefs clean and flourishing.

This research could help convince governments and other agencies that marine reserves are valuable conservation tools.

--Bjorn Carey

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