A huge delegation of marine scientists, conservationists, marine practitioners and business owners from the Virgin Islands are in Mexico this week for Reef Futures. Over 40 people from St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John joined the 840 attendees from 69 countries at the international event to share challenges and solutions in coral reef restoration efforts worldwide.
Coral reefs in the Caribbean declined significantly in 2024, with climate change driving local sea temperatures to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Corals are sensitive to rising sea temperatures and other human pressures, including over-fishing, pollution, and sediment runoff. Corals are animal colonies that build our reefs’ structure and provide critical habitat for fish. They also bolster storm surge protection for our towns and coastlines. If exposed to high temperatures for a long enough period of time, they bleach white in color and then may die.
The loss of coral reefs is a loss not only of ocean habitat but of trillions of dollars in protection of coastlines worldwide. Healthy reefs support the fish life that many people around the world depend upon. $76 million of economic activity is protected by coral reefs from storm-related flooding in the U.S. Virgin Islands (Storlazzi et al. 2019).
Presenters at Reef Futures from the Virgin Islands include Dr. Marilyn Brandt, Sonora Meiling, Daniel Mele, Rachel Ionata, Natasha Bestrom, Erin Hollander, Amanda Badai, and Rebecca Gibbel from the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas. Alex Guiting, and Delsabriana Gonzalez from The Nature Conservancy Coral Innovation lab in St. Croix. Corina Marks from the Feather Leaf Inn in St. Croix. Bailey Thomasson from the Coral Restoration Foundation in St. Croix. Matt Warham, based in St. Croix, from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. St. Croix-born Kemit Amon-Lewis traveled from Washington, D.C., where he now works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Restoration Center as a Marine Habitat Resource Specialist.
The conference highlighted coral restoration programs and research from faraway places, including Madagascar, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Australia, and Indonesia, as well as neighboring islands of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region. 100 conference attendees from across the globe, including Sonora Meiling and Kayla Budd from the University of the Virgin Islands, were awarded scholarships to attend as part of Reef Futures’ commitment of inclusivity.
Presentations not only examined coral reef restoration efforts but also focused on community engagement and cultural repair from historic and current inequities. Innovative ideas, trainings and technologies were shared to uplift communities and protect our environment.
You don’t have to go to Mexico to see these speakers. In the coming days, the Reef Futures presentation will be uploaded and available for the public to view at www.crc.world.
— Ryan Flegal is a steward of the Feather Leaf Inn, a triple-bottom-line company that creates a new model for sustainable tourism in St. Croix. He rode his bicycle 12,000 miles across 13 countries from Los Angeles, California, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and, ever since, has been inspired to work on sustainable solutions to local and global issues. Together with his partner, they have been restoring the coral reef and engaging in community-building projects.
