Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has highlighted the marine conservation work of its not-for-profit arm as part of its commitment to World Oceans Day.
Through the Sandals Foundation, guests at Sandals and Beaches resorts throughout the Caribbean can help hatch turtles, learn to rebuild dying reefs and curtail invasive marine species.
Adam Stewart, SRI executive chairman and and founder and president of the Sandals Foundation, said: “As guests return to enjoy our beautiful Caribbean, World Oceans Day is a reminder that its beauty and health is our responsibility.
“Over the next ten years, we [The Sandals Foundation] have promised to develop and implement conservation efforts, engaging more than 100,000 people in educational efforts, planting 30,000 coral fragments and seeing thousands of turtle hatchlings to the sea.”
With local partners such as the Oracabessa Foundation in Jamaica, holidaymakers can take part in the Sandals Foundation and SRI’s efforts to reduce the loss of turtle nests due to predators and unfavourable weather conditions. Once hatched, guests can help vulnerable baby turtles make their way to the sea.
Last year, SRI and the Sandals Foundation assisted in the release of 18,940 hatchlings.
The foundation has also partnered with Caribsave and Coral Restoration Foundation International to help build Caribbean coral nurseries.
Guests of any Sandals Resort in St Lucia can join an introductory course in coral out-planting and learn the science of nurseries during their stay.
Certified guests can join a specialised dive to put their new skills to work, saving Caribbean coral reefs.
Furthermore, divers holidaying at Sandals Resorts or Beaches Resorts can help tackle the problem of invasive lionfish, which destroy coral reefs and prey on more than 70 species of fish.