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Diverse habitats provide home for many species. The Southern Caribbean Sea is home to extensive sea grass meadows, mangrove forests, and coral reefs that provide breeding habitat for many fish, mollusks, and other species. The Gulf of Paria between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago is particularly rich and provides a basis for major marine fisheries.
Numerous fish, mollusks, and other species breed and feed among coral, sea-grass meadows, and mangrove forests. Wide gulfs and quiet inlets interrupt stretches of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines.
Conchs, flame scallops, and diverse sponges share this habitat with many species of fish, including tarpon, Bocon toadfish, and hogfish. A species of drum and a species of croaker (both are fish) were recently discovered in these rich waters. The midnight parrotfish scrapes algae and polyps from coral and rocks with its beak. The Caribbean puffer puffs itself up to deter enemies, then zips away after deflating. Manatees swim and graze in sea-grass meadows and rest in calm lagoons. They share habitat with several turtle species, including green, hawksbill, leatherback, olive and Kemp's ridley, and regionally endangered loggerheads.
The Southern Caribbean Sea is polluted by chemicals (such as mercury) from agriculture and industry and by untreated waste from growing coastal towns and tourist centers. Dredging and poor agricultural practices cause sedimentation. Eutrophication and anoxia have destroyed reefs and sea-grass beds. Many such ecosystems have also been destroyed by oil drilling and oil pollution. Chronic oil pollution from oil drilling in Barbados, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago has wiped out mangrove swamps, sea-grass meadows, and coral reefs. Sea turtles and marine mammals are killed by ingesting floating tar from coastal development. Overfishing and the hunting of turtles for their meat and shells are two serious problems. Turtles are also killed when they drown in fishing nets.
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