World Ocean Day 2024: Corals in a Changing Climate

World Ocean Day 2024

It’s no secret that coral reefs and other ocean habitats are having a hard time as our planet faces unprecedented challenges and rapidly changing conditions.

The heating and disease events of last summer suggest that the impacts of climate change on coral reefs are intensifying. We still have hope for a future for coral reefs. In fact, CCMI’s 25 years of monitoring the reefs in Little Cayman show that they remain a beacon of hope for the future of coral reefs.

But there is a growing sense of urgency and immediate action required if we are to make the necessary impact. CCMI’s work has never been more important, and your support to protect coral reefs is needed now more than ever.

Coral reefs are not only vital ecosystems; they also serve as a barometer of the health of our oceans. Here in the Cayman Islands, we rely on coral reefs for so many things: tourism, beauty, food, storm protection, inspiration, and more.

Join the CCMI team this World Ocean Day to understand more about coral reefs in a changing climate through our free community outreach of Reefs Go Live and the Reef Lecture in Grand Cayman. Help us to share the important messages about threats coral reefs face and how every person can do their part at this pivotal moment for our ocean.

Join CCMI for these special World Ocean Day 2024 events and activity:

REEFS GO LIVE BROADCAST

CCMI celebrates World Ocean Day every year as part of our Healthy Reefs outreach efforts, and in 2024, we will return to the Camana Bay Cinema for this FREE World Ocean Day Reefs Go Live event! (Virtual registrations also available.)

DATE: Friday, 7th June 2024
TIME: 10:00 am – 10:40 am Cayman time (UTC -5h)
LOCATION: Camana Bay Cinema

As we look around us, the impacts of climate change are ever-present and increasing in severity, with 2023 being the hottest year on record. This broadcast takes a deep dive with CCMI’s researchers into how climate change affects our oceans and coral reefs, the impacts of last year’s increased water temperatures on Little Cayman’s reefs, how CCMI is working towards helping corals to survive these pressures, and how you can help too.

CCMI is pleased to offer this opportunity to take a virtual dive with our team of scientists and educators as we explore Little Cayman’s coral reefs on World Ocean Day. The event is open to everyone; school groups/classes are encouraged to register for this event.

This virtual underwater experience also allows the audience the opportunity to send questions to our Little Cayman dive team, with selected questions being answered live during the broadcast! Come prepared to ask your coral reef questions.

** This event is FREE and open to local schools, tourists, and members of the public. Classes, especially years 4 and 5, are encouraged to participate. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for both in-person and virtual attendance. Donations are appreciated and support the conservation, education, outreach and restoration projects of CCMI.

This broadcast is made possible by the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation.

REEF LECTURE

Impacts of the 2023 marine heatwave on corals in Little Cayman

By Dr. Jack Johnson, CCMI

TWO SESSIONS AVAILABLE: Wednesday, 5th June and Thursday, 6th June 2024
TIME: 6 pm – 6:45 pm (UTC -5h)
LOCATION: Ambassadors of the Environment, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
REGISTER FOR FREE:
Wednesday lecture: https://donate.reefresearch.org/RLS_WOD24_Wed
Thursday lecture: https://donate.reefresearch.org/RLS_WOD24

2023 marked a year of climate extremes. Planet Earth shattered her global temperature record, reaching an average of 1.45°C warmer than the pre-industrial era. During this record-breaking year, Little Cayman experienced an unprecedented marine heatwave causing coral bleaching to 90% of corals. Subsequent bleaching impacts indicate 50% of all coral colonies died. With 2024 set to be as hot as 2023, how can we safeguard Little Cayman’s coral reefs under climate change?

** This event is FREE and open to the public. Donations are appreciated and support the conservation, education, outreach and restoration projects of CCMI.

HEALTHY REEFS VIRTUAL ART GALLERY

As part of a special collaborative effort, students in Ms. McDougall’s BTEC art class at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC) were tasked with designing a poster in support of CCMI’s Healthy Reefs awareness campaign. This project was an assignment to students as a way to develop artistic techniques while also working with a client, allowing students to develop transferrable life skills in support of their career path in art.

During the first term of the 2023-24 school year, students practiced their techniques, spoke with CCMI staff, researched coral reefs, incorporated feedback from the client, and worked toward a final Healthy Reefs poster that was submitted as part of their portfolio for the course.

Visit this virtual art gallery of the posters designed by these talented students of Ms. McDougall’s class. We hope you enjoy seeing their creativity and skills at work in support of healthy coral reefs!

Visit the Virtual 2024 Healthy Reefs Art Gallery

2022 Little Cayman Healthy Reef Report Card

Since 1999, CCMI has conducted annual monitoring of coral reefs in Little Cayman to build a database of information about the state of coral reefs and the changes seen over time. Our 2022 surveys reveal that Little Cayman’s coral reefs show positive traits of resiliency, with continued high coral and fish
abundances. However, shifts in species contributions and colony size indicate that while coral cover remains high, Little Cayman is not immune to human
impacts and global climate change.

Read the main findings in the Healthy Reef Report Card.

Actions for Healthier Oceans

Communicate

Share your Stand up for Reefs pledge, connect people to the global ocean and the fact that we can all help make a difference in their future. There is one world ocean; we are all responsible for it.

Engage

Share your love of the ocean and coral reefs, get involved with local organisations that support marine protection, take part in beach clean ups, support local animal sanctuaries and make sure your local politician knows how important the ocean is to you. Your strength as a voter is your superpower. Small actions you take today can benefit coral reef ecosystems and ocean health all around the world.

Sustainable Seafood

Commercial fishing is one of the biggest pressures on the ocean and coral reef ecosystems. As a consumer, you have the power to make change. Buy sustainably, reduce your reliance upon key fish stocks like tuna and where you can, and support local sustainable fisheries. If you are travelling, check out fish that should be avoided; each nation has different stresses on their local fish populations.

Climate Change

Everyone can make a difference with climate change, but it still feels like a huge and overwhelming issue. You can make simple, impactful changes by: using green energy, reducing reliance on oil-based products, buying less stuff, supporting local, eating more fruit and veg and less animal protein, using less energy by investing in eco-friendly products in your home and for your transport choices, and if you have to fly, offsetting your carbon use.

Clean Oceans

Plastics remain a huge issue for the oceans, and over 80% of marine pollution comes from land. Reduce your reliance on plastic, recycle responsibly at every opportunity, consider using environmentally friendly cleaning and home products. Remember that all waterways are connected to the ocean; pollution from land often enters the ocean via run-off and coastal ecosystems are heavily impacted by human pollution.

Biodiversity

We need a biodiverse ocean, with many species, to maintain the balance of the marine biosphere. It is easier than you think to help protect biodiversity by respecting protected areas, especially marine parks. Support no take and no fishing zones. Choose ocean and reef friendly products, such as pet food (which are heavily reliant upon fish). Choose sustainable travel companies and tour operators; many regions have standards that can help you identify sustainable options.

Development

Coastal ecosystems are under pressure from the sheer volume of humans they are supporting. Support innovation and green energy, challenge development where a comprehensive environmental impact assessment has not been done. Challenge local councils and local government when you think your local ecosystem (marine or terrestrial, they are all linked) is being degraded.

Learn More

Learn more about how you can stand up for a healthier ocean environment today – and every day – through these organisations:

Cayman Islands Department of Environment

National Trust of the Cayman Islands

Mission Blue

Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

World Ocean Day 2024: Corals in a Changing Climate