The
MSC Foundation celebrated the official opening of its new Marine
Conservation Center at Ocean Cay on Thursday, marking a key milestone in
its commitment to coral conservation and marine research in The Bahamas.
The state-of-the-art facility is a base for biologists,
scientists, students and island visitors alike, featuring interactive
pavilions, a lecture hall, a Bio Lab and a land-based coral nursery housing 22
tanks.
Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation, stated,
“This facility will connect marine scientists, educators, and the public,
annually supporting up to 30 marine science students from four universities. By
strengthening partnerships with Bahamian and international experts, engaging
the wider community and making a bridge to hundreds of thousands of island
visitors, we have laid foundations for lasting ocean stewardship and meaningful
conservation efforts.”
Launched in 2019, the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Reefs
Program has been driving efforts to help restore coral reefs in the
64-square-mile area around Ocean Cay with coral species that are more resilient
to environmental stressors such as rising ocean temperatures.
The Super Coral Reefs Program successes to date include:
- Identifying high thermal resilience in some
genetic populations of corals, focusing on critically endangered Elkhorn coral.
- Developing techniques to grow coral in
open-water nurseries.
- Successful start to outplanting resilient
corals, aiming to increase outplanting capacity over the coming years to 6,000
corals annually.
- 100% survival of nursery-grown corals during the
unprecedented marine heatwave of summer 2023.
The Marine Conservation Center was officially opened by the
Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee and Executive Chairman of the Cruise
Division of MSC Group, Pierfrancesco Vago.
Vago said in a statement, “The opening of our
Marine Conservation Center marks a defining moment in our multigenerational
commitment to ocean conservation.”
He added, “It brings to life the MSC Foundation’s concrete
plans for restoring coral reefs, advancing science, and creating training
opportunities for Bahamian and international students. With the continued
support of the Government of The Bahamas and local authorities, our work here
is contributing to the circular economy through ecosystem preservation,
regeneration, and knowledge sharing.”
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