How social media and parrotfish poop are protecting the Maldives

The Maldivian government protected all parrotfish species in 2020 after a grassroots #FishForTomorrow social media campaign raised awareness that parrotfish—which produce ~85% of new sand-grade sediment on outer reefs—are essential to atoll resilience against rising sea levels. The NGO Maldives Resilient Reefs is now expanding protections to 30% of marine habitats by 2030.

Scaling these protections to harbor-wide and national enforcement will require sustained commitment and resources.