By Ashley Annin From Scuba Diving

Little Cayman Coral Conservation

MISSION: Engage recreational divers in marine research on endangered corals
HQ: Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
YEAR FOUNDED: 2015
CONTACT: [email protected]
PROJECT: “By living and working at the Little Cayman Research Centre, participants will experience life at an active marine research station,” says Carrie Manfrino, president of Central Caribbean Marine Institute. Dive on the EDGE allows divers to explore reefs where endangered corals thrive — and is the first step in nurturing these delicate species throughout the Caribbean.

1) VOLUNTEER
Dive alongside researchers while collecting data on evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered (EDGE) coral species. You’ll spend a week at the Little Cayman Research Centre helping to survey the distribution of endangered corals. Participants spend two days learning coral identification, underwater photography and data collection, and the remainder of the week diving and assisting the scientists.

2) ENGAGE
Coral conservation is an ongoing effort that will need support along the way. As the project develops, CCMI will share its progress and opportunities for involvement via Facebook — so “Liking” the page will keep conservation-savvy divers in the know. Since the project is new to 2015, sharing updates and information on your personal social-media accounts will help spread the word, and pave the way for more progress.

3) EDUCATE
Whether you’re an educator, a diver or simply an advocate for coral conservation, CCMI has a number of opportunities to share its research and efforts with the public. Data collected through the Dive on the EDGE program will be shared during CCMI’s weekly Reef Reports, and lesson plans on these data will be available for educators. This new information can be shared online, in a classroom or at a dive seminar.

IMAGE: Dive on the EDGE Shutterstock

For more on this story go to: http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/cayman-islands/ocean-action-dive-edge-save-corals-little-cayman