CCMI ANNOUNCES THE FINALISTS FOR THE DOUG ALLAN OCEAN SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

Meet Cayman’s organisations that are raising the bar for ocean sustainability efforts

The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is pleased to announce the finalists for the inaugural Doug Allan Ocean Sustainability Awards, which were established to celebrate local companies and organisations who are helping create a more sustainable future for our shared ocean.

As pressures on the marine environment grow, CCMI is focusing on engaging the corporate community and other entities who have significant reach, highlighting their sustainability efforts to help increase ocean-positive action. Organisations with large reach can move the needle in these efforts through strategic changes in daily operations, community partnerships, and long-term planning to be more sustainable. Organizational and corporate leaders can help accelerate broader change as they influence their employees, customers, investors, suppliers, sectors, and followers to take bold action for the future of the environment.

Robyn Larkin, Project Manager for CCMI, said that CCMI has been very impressed by the nominations that were submitted by the community:

“We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the first year of the Doug Allan Ocean Sustainability Awards! Our panel of judges had a difficult task as they evaluated the nominations, learning first-hand about diversity in efforts that are making a serious positive impact for the environment. From amazing partnerships to increased efficiencies and strategic efforts to invest in long-term projects that will have lasting impact in Cayman, we loved hearing about the many ways the nominees are bringing the community together, reducing the environmental footprint, and developing bold, forward-looking approaches that can create lasting change.”

The finalists have been selected in the three awards categories: Community Connections, Ocean Footprint, and Visionary Award, each of which focus on a difference dimension of ocean sustainability efforts.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Honours companies that demonstrate active environmental leadership through hands-on volunteering, partnerships, and tangible community initiatives that protect and restore the marine environment.

• Interact Central Cayman Islands
• Mariner Surf Co.
• Nauti Nomads

OCEAN FOOTPRINT

Recognises organisations that take strong internal action to reduce their environmental impact and improve ocean sustainability through operations, policies, and practices.

• Cayman Water
• Plastic Free Cayman
• The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

VISIONARY AWARD

Celebrates companies that set the gold standard for and are redefining corporate leadership in sustainability through forward-thinking strategies, bold pro-ocean behaviour, and an ocean-conscious company ethos as part of the mission, planning, and long-term goals.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
• Wheaton Precious Metals Inc.

The finalists represent a cross-section of Cayman’s businesses, non-profits, and community groups, highlighting how the concept of ocean sustainability is gaining momentum across the island.

The winners of the awards will be announced at the Festival of Seas gala on 31^st October 2026 at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, forming part of the evening programme that celebrates the ocean and those who work together to protect it. Only one table and a few tickets remain; if you would like to attend, you can purchase your tickets by emailing events@reefresearch.org.

The Doug Allan Ocean Sustainability Awards are named in honour of Doug Allan OBE, award-winning cameraman and friend of CCMI. After learning of his passing earlier this year, it was a way CCMI could carry on Doug’s legacy as a passionate advocate for the natural world who challenged people to make small changes that would add up for the protection of our ocean.

“We congratulate every organisation that was nominated, especially our finalists. Their work demonstrates that ocean sustainability efforts can take many forms. We hope that these awards will inspire others to evaluate their own efforts and implement new actions to help secure a more sustainable future for Cayman’s marine environment.”

For more information about CCMI and Festival of Seas, please visit reefresearch.org/festival-of-seas/.

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