NEWS
Register now for the 2025 Reefs Go Live season
CCMI is pleased to once again host Reefs Go Live, a series of interactive broadcasts LIVE from underwater on the coral reefs in Little Cayman. Participation in the broadcasts is free and is available to anyone no matter their location. Register HERE.
Broadcast 1: Friday 21st March. 10am (UTC -5h)
Exploring the unknown ocean: Underwater mountains of Cayman
As we reach the end of CCMI’s 3-year exploratory project, Expedition Hope, this Reefs Go Live episode will showcase what our researchers found when exploring the previously un-charted underwater mountains of Pickle Bank and 12-mile Bank.
This live broadcast will take us on a journey across previously unseen coral reefs, down to depths of 60 metres, off the coast of the Cayman Islands. Students will join CCMI’s educators, live from the coral reefs of Little Cayman, to learn about the importance of scientific investigation, species adaptation and classification, and climate change and ocean health while hearing first-hand the results of pioneering ocean exploration from the researchers.
Broadcast 2: Friday 11th April. 10am (UTC -5h)
Cryptic Creatures of the Reef
When we think of coral reefs we often think of vibrant colours and charismatic species, such as turtles, large schools of fish, and reef sharks. However, a coral reef is a complex ecosystem and every species that lives there has a role to play the overall healthy functioning of the habitat, that includes the less well-known cryptic species.
Join us as we explore the animal kingdom on Little Cayman’s coral reefs focussing on those often overlooked but equally just as important (and cool!) groups of species such as sponges, worms, corals, sea stars, and crabs!
Broadcast 3: Friday 9th May. 10am (UTC -5h)
Endangered corals: Finding and restoring rare coral species
Many of the iconic coral species that we know, and love have been steadily declining across reefs in the Caribbean for many years. Threats such as coral bleaching and disease outbreaks, pollution from land, and pressure from other human activities has resulted in these coral disappearing from many reefs and being classified as Endangered by the IUCN.
CCMI’s researchers have searched the reefs of Little Cayman to locate and map the few remaining colonies of these critically important species to inform protections. CCMI has also been running a successful science-based coral restoration programme since 2012, focussing on improving the populations of these endangered species on the reefs of Little Cayman.
In this live broadcast, CCMI’s educators will reveal the results of our search for endangered coral species in Little Cayman, why they are so important, and what our researchers are doing to restore these populations before it is too late.
Broadcast 4: Friday 6th June. 10 (UTC -5h)
World Ocean Day: Climate Change and our Ocean
The past few years have bought record-breaking climate extremes across the world, including the rising temperature of the oceans globally and here in Cayman. Coral reefs have often been referred to as the ‘canary in the coalmine,’ the ecosystem at the forefront of these pressures. Join CCMI to understand how recent marine heatwaves have impacted the reefs of Little Cayman.
We will also dive into the ocean’s unique ability to absorb Co2, regulate weather and planetary health, help to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and how CCMI is working towards supporting this climate mitigation in Cayman.
This episode links to the international DearTomorrow campaign, dedicated to inspired people to reflect on their climate legacy through the act of crafting personal letters to the future. CCMI’s educators will reveal their promises to their families, communities, or future selves about climate change and will encourage viewers to do so too. All DearTomorrow promises will be submitted to the campaign, joining over 5,000 climate-concerned voices.