Page 41 - Dive Guide

CoRAL NuRsERY lighthOuSe POint’S cOral nurSery

PhOtOgraPher: divetech
The abundance of healthy reefs across all three
islands is of vital importance to the Cayman Islands.
Through ongoing efforts of entities on all three
islands, those in the dive community and beyond are
contributing to the battle of fighting threats to these
unique ecosystems.

The pilot programme for coral nurseries was started
in September 2012 in Little Cayman by the Central
Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) in partnership
with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment
(DoE) and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of eaSt end cOral nurSery
Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) scientists. PhOtOgraPher: lOiS hatcher / Ocean FrOntierS ltd.
The aim of that programme was to enhance local
populations of the once-dominant staghorn coral
(Acropora cervicornis). As noted by CCMI, threats
such as disease, hurricanes and climate change
have reduced the abundance of staghorn coral
throughout the Caribbean by almost 90% over the
past four decades. Coral nurseries are a method of
reestablishing threatened populations of staghorn
and other coral species.

Based on CCMI’s research and lessons learnt, in 2014 CoRAL NuRsERY
the Government of the Cayman Islands approved SunSet hOuSe’S cOral nurSery
PhOtOgraPher: SunSet hOuSe
the National Coral Nursery Policy presented by the
DoE which allowed other staghorn coral nurseries
to be established. By 2015, CCMI worked with dive
operators on all three islands to train them on the
development of coral nurseries. Through the help of
CCMI, international coral restoration organisations
and volunteers, divers are setting up staghorn and
elkhorn coral in and around reefs throughout all three
islands. The plan is for these budding corals to be
replanted and therefore allowing them to grow and
reproduce, creating a healthy and vibrant coral reef.
brac Scuba Shack’S cOral nurSery
Coral Nurseries can be found on all three islands and PhOtOgraPher: rOxane bOOnStra
managed by the following:
LITTLE CAYMAN GRAND CAYMAN
CCMI Cayman Eco Divers
DiveTech
CAYMAN BRAC Ocean Frontiers
Brac Scuba Shack Sunset House

If you would like to join in on the conservation efforts
of our coral nurseries or just want the opportunity
to see what we are doing, please contact any dive
operator listed above.
www.divecayman.ky 41