Butterfield x CCMI – Blue Carbon Offset & Biodiversity Project Results

ABOUT THE TOPIC

Seagrass meadows are among the ocean’s most effective natural carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon within the sediments beneath them. Yet despite their importance, they remain one of the least understood marine ecosystems in the Caribbean.

In this talk, Haley Capone will share insights from the Blue Carbon & Biodiversity Programme, made possible by Butterfield, which has spent the past three years investigating carbon storage within Little Cayman’s marine ecosystems. Early findings suggest seagrass meadows in Little Cayman may contain carbon stocks significantly higher than the regional average, highlighting their potential importance in climate mitigation and ecosystem resilience.

The talk will also explore how adjacent coral reefs and mangroves may influence carbon storage across the wider coastal seascape, revealing the interconnected nature of Cayman’s marine habitats. By examining these hidden ecological linkages, the presentation will provide a broader perspective on the future of blue carbon science, conservation, and coastal management in the Caribbean.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Haley worked as a Marine Habitat Resource Specialist and Presidential Management Fellow at NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation where she provided technical and policy expertise to support restoration programmes in the Gulf of Mexico, advancing sustainable marine resource management.

As a Wheaton Women in Ocean Science Award Scholar, Haley is leading studies to identify key drivers of seagrass meadow health and blue carbon potential in Cayman. Her research will establish an ecological baseline linking habitat setting to seagrass condition and productivity, and help explain patterns in carbon storage capacity, resilience to disturbance, and ecosystem recovery.