Mr. Chris Humphries of Stuarts Walker Hersant Humphries, Attorneys-at-Law was presented with the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s (CCMI) CORAL Award on 6 March 2016 by His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, during his visit to the Cayman Islands.

The CORAL (Commitment, Outreach, Respect, and Leadership) Award is presented to an individual or organisation for outstanding contributions to the protection and preservation of coral reefs. “We are recognising Chris Humphries for his tireless efforts as an advisor and a mentor over many years and also wanted to especially thank his firm, including the partners, attorneys and support staff who have donated countless hours in support of CCMI”, said Dr. Carrie Manfrino, President of CCMI. Previous CORAL award recipients are Mr. Peter Hillenbrand, Mr. Jim O’Neill and Mr. Derek Haines (on behalf of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman)

CCMI’s Royal Patron, His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex, in his presentation of the award to Mr. Humphries, said: “I offered patronage to CCMI because I applaud their efforts to sustain the biodiversity of coral reefs so that children of the world may forever discover the treasures of the sea. I commend Mr. Humphries in his efforts to ensure that this is possible”.

Mr. Humphries accepted the award, which was presented at a dinner hosted and sponsored by Mr. Peter Hillenbrand at the Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman by saying: “To receive this award is a distinct honour. CCMI and its work in preserving one of the most spectacular reef systems in the world are important to me, as anyone who knows me will know, I would rather be sitting in a lab in Little Cayman than running a law firm in Grand Cayman, so I consider that my involvement gives my life some balance and it is a pleasure to be able to contribute”. The award was a stingray statue made of caymanite by Caymanian artist Horacio Estaban.

Mr. Humphries’ history with CCMI began in 2004 and he joined the Board of Directors in 2010. He now serves as Chair of the Board. He graduated from the University of London with a BSc (Hons) in Biological Science in 1994 and worked as a marine biologist in Belize, Bermuda and the Philippines prior to reading law.

Stuarts Walker Hersant Humphries, Attorneys-at-Law has been underwriting CCMI’s London fundraiser each year, providing multi-year support for CCMI’s long-term monitoring programme (LAMP) and their Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS2), where data is collected that helps scientists understand and protect coral reefs globally.

Founded in 1998, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is guided by its mission to conduct and facilitate research, education, outreach and conservation programs that will sustain marine biodiversity for future generations. The CCMI Little Cayman Research Centre hosts numerous research and educational programs for groups ranging from elementary school to university faculty.

IMAGE: Joanna Humphries, Lara Humphries, Chris Humphries, Basil Humphries and His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex