Climate-smart approach to coral reef conservation in the Caribbean
The Nature Conservancy launches CoralCarib project in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Haiti
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Caribbean Division, in conjunction with six of its regional partners, launched the project CoralCarib: Pioneering a new strategic approach for conserving and restoring Caribbean coral reef ecosystems that targets Climate Resilient Refugia, on Tuesday April 25, 2023, at the Pegasus Hotel in Kington, Jamaica.
The launch, which started at 9:30 am Jamaica time, took the form of an official ceremony with remarks from Government of Jamaica, project partners and TNC officials.
Jamaica’s Minister with responsibility for the environment, Senator the Honorable Matthew Samuda, delivered an address. His Excellency Jan Hendrik van Thiel, German Ambassador to Jamaica gave remarks on behalf of the German Government. The CoralCarib project is being funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), an agency of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in Germany.
From left to right: Donna Blake (TNC Director for Jamaica), Shenique Albury-Smith (TNC Caribbean Deputy Director), Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda (Jamaican Minister with responsibility for the Environment), Rob Brumbaugh (TNC Caribbean Regional Director), His Excellency Jan Hendrik van Thiel (German Ambassador to Jamaica), Mrs. Nicola Madden-Greig (President of the Caribbean Tourism and Hotel Association). © Norman Thomas
Nickie Myers, General Manager of the Alligator Head Foundation, TNC’s Jamaican Partner in the CoralCarib project spoke on behalf of the project partners, and Dr. Rob Brumbaugh, Executive Director of TNC’s Caribbean Division, brought introductory remarks.
“The launch of the CoralCarib project marks a major turning point for coral conservation in the Caribbean, by using a climate-smart approach to focus coral reef conservation in the region. TNC is delighted to partner with likeminded organizations that are committed to innovative conservation practices that will make our work more sustainable,” stated Dr. Rob Brumbaugh, Executive Director, TNC’s Caribbean Division.
The official launch was followed by three days of project kick-off meetings with all project partners.
His Excellency Jan Hendrik van Thiel (German Ambassador to Jamaica), Dr. Tina Doha (IKI Representative), and Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda (Jamaican Minister with responsibility for the Environment) posing for a photo with TNC Caribbean partners and all CoralCarib Consortium partners from Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba. © Norman Thomas
CoralCarib is being implemented by a Consortium of six partners with The Nature Conservancy Caribbean Division: Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos (FUNDEMAR), Dominican Republic; Fundación Grupo Puntacana (FGPC), Dominican Republic; Alligator Head Foundation (AHF), Jamaica; Acuario Nacional de Cuba (ANC), Cuba; Haiti Ocean Project (HOP), Haiti; and Initiative for Environment and Integrated Development in Haiti (IEDIH), Haiti.
While the project is being implemented in four target Caribbean countries, including Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, knowledge exchanges will be conducted with Belize over the six-year period of the project and knowledge sharing will be conducted regionally and globally.
The launch was streamed live on TNC Caribbean’s Facebook and Instagram platforms.
- Country: Cuba, Haití, Jamaica, Dominican Republic
- Project:
- Contact:
Maxene Atis
