This photograph was taken on Jolly Beach in November 2010. When asked why the young man was grilling starfish, he indicated that the smoke from the fire was a device to attract attention on the beach so he could sell his services for snorkeling. Little did he realize how much of a horror show his marketing strategy really was. The irony is, as he strips the nearby waters of sea life, he actually deprives snorkelers of the wonderful creatures they come to enjoy, ruining his own business.

We love our starfish: IN THE WATER.

Dear visitors to Antigua & Barbuda, please do NOT purchase dried starfish from anyone. We need to keep our valuable and limited number of starfish, in the ocean. Every starfish that is purchased is replaced by another starfish plucked from the ocean.

Dear Antiguan residents who participate in the commercial sale of starfish. Please STOP. Far more people come to Antigua to enjoy starfish in their natural habitat. Antigua needs ALL it's marine wildlife to stay in the ocean. They are life and not decoration or mere souvenirs.

Dear Antigua residents who do NOT see the merit in stripping Antigua's waters of all it's starfish, if you chance upon this type of activity, please GENTLY let the person know that no good will come of grilling starfish, a dozen at a time. It is a destructive act that not only horrifies many travelers but is killing Antigua's marine ecosystems and watersports.

Starfish can't swim away. They can't fight back. They need us.