Sandals Foundation set to make a ‘splash’ across Jamaica with a slew of marine preservation activities

In celebration of World Oceans Day on June 8, the Sandals Foundation will be co-ordinating a slew of marine awareness and conservation activities across the Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Whitehouse, Boscobel, Port Antonio and Negril regions in Jamaica.

Working alongside volunteers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Sandals Foundation team will head to Boscobel June 4-7 for their second fish count and assessment of reef habitats at the Boscobel Fish Sanctuary. Following the survey, it’s off to Ocho Rios on the 8th where the Foundation will host an all day ocean awareness expo for regional students.

Set to be staged at the Island Village Cruise Ship Pier, the expo will welcome pupils ranging from preparatory to secondary level and see the Jamaican launch of the international traveling marine exhibition _ ‘Our Reefs: Caribbean Connections’.

Originally developed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and later revised at Florida State University, the exhibition highlights common environmental challenges faced by Caribbean marine reefs and raises awareness to the importance of investing in ocean sanctuaries.

A joint effort by the Sandals Foundation and National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA), the exhibit will be on display in Ocho Rios for one week and will then tour across Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Port Antonio, Whitehouse and Portland Point throughout the months of June and July.

In addition to the international reef exhibit, the students, who are encouraged to wear blue in support of the initiative, will also preview a short film on the importance of marine systems titled, “Coral Reef Adventure”.

Other activities making a ‘splash’ across the island on World Oceans Day include the unveiling a mega billboard in Ocho Rios in support of the conservation of Jamaica’s ocean ecosystems as well as the launch of a team marine awareness programme across all Sandals international resorts. Led by the Foundation, Sandals team members will partake in major training sessions on marine conservation and best ocean practices which in turn will be imparted to visitors and guests.

Conservation of the environment has always been a central tenet of The Sandals Foundation, with heavy consideration for the preservation of marine and ocean habitats, “The Caribbean depends so highly on our oceans not only to provide protection of our coast lines, beautiful water for our tourists, but most importantly livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of fisher folk and their families. Our goal is to raise awareness as to how we can play our part to change the condition of our marine life and the lives of so many as a result of that…” expressed Heidi Clarke, Director of Programs for the Sandals Foundation.

World Ocean Day was coined at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and will be celebrated under the theme this year “Oceans of Life: Pick your Favourite — Protect Your Favorite”.