The Cayman Islands Are Trendsetters In Marine Conservation Tourism

Cayman Islands is the coastal home to 119,605 km of national waters that includes the deepest area of the Caribbean Sea (known as the Cayman Trench— at approximately 25,216 feet below sea level), hundreds of dive sites, 60 species of coral and more than 500 fish species. The beauty and diversity of the three islands’ marine environment has earned it multiple awards for Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean and more than $69 million in marine-related tourism income (Wolfs Company, 2017).

Not surprisingly, the local government— prompted by an 80% decline in Caribbean reefs over the past 25 years— has enacted legislation placing the three-island archipelago at the forefront of Caribbean marine conservation. This push has also resulted in the growth of a diverse marine conservation business sector, with a multitude of activities and opportunities for both locals and visitors.

The following are some compelling options for avid conservationists.

Go On An Adventure: Earthwatch Institute

Earthwatch Institute is an international environmental charity that provides participants from all backgrounds with the opportunity to address environmental issues alongside leading scientists while meeting and interacting with like-minded travellers. The organization’s current expedition in Little Cayman includes activities such as surveys of the types of coral growing in specific locations and researching the environmental conditions that are best suited for coral health and growth. Participants observe scientists working in a shallow ocean “nursery,” where new coral is grown from fragments taken from the reef and replanted into the wild to boost reef recovery.

Aaron Hunt and Brittany Joy Balli are a husband wife team that have taken a leading role in creating a comprehensive coral restoration (nursery) program in Grand Cayman, in partnership with the Department of the Environment. After successfully completing a coral conservation course, Cayman Eco Divers' volunteers monitor out-planted coral sites or maintain coral nurseries on the West side of Grand Cayman. There are several types of conservation courses offered, after which participants can volunteer for free.

Marine Education For All Ages: Ambassadors of the Environment 

Developed by the legendary Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society and offered exclusively at the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, Ambassadors of the Environment uses Cayman Islands’ natural wonders to teach participants about the environment, with a significant focus on the ocean and marine life. Programs include reef discovery snorkels (ages 8 to adult), stingray detectives (ages 4-9), underwater photography snorkels (ages 8 to adult) and mangrove kayak adventures (ages 8 to adult).

The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is a marine research institute, located in Little Cayman, that focuses on discovering and implementing solutions to declining ocean health. CCMI provides marine ecology and conservation internships and field-oriented courses at a tertiary and a professional level, equipping students to better understand the critical issues facing tropical marine environments. High school students can enjoy 3-day marine ecology courses or the Caribbean Sea Camp program, which engages participants in active learning about the local marine protection laws and smart environmental decision-making.

Go Shopping, Have Lunch, Learn Something: Guy Harvey

The Guy Harvey Store and restaurant, both located in Georgetown, support The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which conducts scientific marine research and hosts educational marine conservation programs. Both the store and the restaurant reflect the ethos of The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, offering sustainable seafood and depicting Harvey’s love for the sea through tropical and marine-themed clothing, art and gifts.

Researchers have estimated that 8 million metric tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean every year, 40% of which is single-use packaging, including straws, cups and water bottles. Plastic Free Cayman conducts monthly beach cleanups of this debris, and welcomes involvement from overseas voluntourism groups. The not-for-profit also hosts monthly viewings of documentaries at a local restaurant.

The Sea Sense Project is a sustainable seafood education initiative of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, helping restaurants and diners to make informed and environmentally positive seafood choices. To date, the programme endorses over 30 Sea Sense restaurants on-island. For a list of restaurants, visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/sister-programmes

Have An Ice Cold Beer: White Tip Lager by the Cayman Islands Brewery (CayBrew)

CayBrew, Cayman Island’s national beer company offers beer enthusiasts who are also shark lovers, White Tip Lager, the world’s first shark conservation beer. A percentage from the sale of each White Tip beer is donated to the White Tip Shark Conservation Fund, which was set up in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Marine Conservation International.

The Cayman Islands has demonstrated a high degree of success with these community-based approaches to marine conservation. According to Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor of Marine Studies and Director of the Global Change Institute at The University of Queensland, "if coral reef scientists want to make a difference then they have got to engage with the hearts and minds of ordinary people.” The tropical coastal paradise of the Cayman Islands provides the perfect setting for environmental advocacy, education and activism.

Source: Forbes.com

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