Jamaica is among four Caribbean countries that are now benefitting from the CoralCarib project, aimed at conserving and restoring the coral reefs.

The other three Caribbean countries are the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Haiti. Along with Jamaica, these four nations possess 60% of the Caribbean’s coral reefs. 

The Alligator Head Foundation will manage CoralCarib, which is being funded by the Nature Conservancy and the International Climate Initiative of Germany. 

The Caribbean is home to 10% of the world’s coral reefs and the project’s goal is to create more robust and healthier ecosystems that contribute to increased biodiversity, economic growth, and food security in the region.

Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda has expressed his support for the project and emphasized that CoralCarib would complement the government’s ongoing efforts to protect the underwater ecosystem. 

He announced the creation of a National Policy for the Management of Jamaica’s Oceans and Coastal Zones and an Action Plan for corals and reefs.

German Ambassador to Jamaica, Jan Hendrik van Thiel stated that CoralCarib is one of nine projects currently being implemented in the country with the support of the German government. 

Director of the Alligator Head Foundation Research Program, Denise Henry explained that CoralCarib would introduce innovative approaches, such as an assessment and implementation plan for threat reduction and an investigation into coral sexual reproduction, which has never been successfully done in Jamaica.