A global challenge, like the one coral reefs face today, takes a global effort to affect change—and to do it in time. Kerzner International Resorts is grateful to these partners and industry leaders who have stepped forward to join in our efforts to preserve the coral reefs in The Bahamas through the Blue Project sm :

• Blue from American Express ®

• JetBlue Airways

• Melissa and Doug ®

• Red Flower

• Shoshanna

•  Stuart Cove’s Aqua Adventures

The Kerzner Marine Foundation (KMF) oversees the project and the Bahamas National Trust, The Nature Conservancy and Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), will implement it.

The work includes identifying, researching, restoring, and patrolling coral reefs as well as creating education and public outreach programs.

In 2007, Kerzner Marine Foundation joined efforts with The Nature Conservancy, Bahamas National Trust and Bahamas Reef Education Environmental Foundation to launch “The Blue Project sm” in an effort to raise awareness of the critical challenges faced by coral reefs (see Coral in Crisis).

Working in partnership with scientists and researchers, the Blue Project has identified its first site off of New Providence Island in The Bahamas where initial efforts will be focused.

Marked by a blue buoy, each Blue Project location will offer identification to boaters, divers and snorkelers as a protected site receiving the care and protection needed for the reefs and the fish that depend on them to survive and thrive.

Each buoy has been designed as a mooring alternative to prevent boats from dropping anchor on the delicate coral reefs below.
 

The focus of The Blue Project sm has begun on site along the Islands of The Bahamas in the Caribbean Sea, and will eventually expand throughout the tropics worldwide. Additional efforts of the project include:

  • Provide funding to create a coral reef protection strategy for New Providence and Paradise Islands
  • Initiate and fund ongoing reef research
  • Recruit and train Bahamians in coral reef research, monitoring and management techniques
  • Facilitate the development of reef education and public awareness programs for communities and schools to heighten appreciation of the beauty and complexity of these extraordinary ecosystems and of the interdependence of man and coral reefs