THE TRIBUNE
Monday, April 22, 2024, PAGE 1
EARTH DAY 2024
10 years of an undersea kingdom THE Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden and Coral Nursery (CRSG) - a testament to a decade of unwavering commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship. Established in BLEACHED 2014, BREEF says coral during the garden stands ocean last summer’s as a beacon of floor, alongunderwater hope and resilside 66 reef heatwave. ience, embodying balls, each the intersection of providing art, education, and structure to help conservation. sustain the rich bioConceived as a living diversity of the area. art gallery and underwater At the heart of the classroom, the CRSG has CRSG stands Ocean Atlas, flourished into a thriving the largest underwater ecosystem, fostering the statue in the world, 18 feet growth of coral, fish, and invertebrates while serving as a vital educational resource for both locals and visitors. The brainchild of Bahamian artist Willicey Tynes, the CRSG was brought to life through a collaboration with renowned sculptors Jason DeCaires Taylor and Andret John. Three breathtaking sculptures — Ocean Atlas (Taylor), Virtuoso Man (Tynes), and Lucayan Face (John) — now grace the
tall and weighing 60 tonnes. Ocean Atlas depicts a Bahamian girl holding the future of the ocean on her shoulders, and symbolises a call to protect our oceans for future generations. These sculptures pay homage to both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of The Bahamas. In addition to installing the sculptures in 2014, in 2015 BREEF installed coral propagation units within the garden, and has been growing corals in an underwater coral nursery at the site ever since. This coral nursery serves as a flagship site for coral propagation and restoration that has been replicated around the country. Endangered staghorn coral is grown suspended
in the water column, and these fragments are later outplanted on adjacent reefs to restore diversity and structural complexity. Coral reefs are vital underwater ecosystems that provide food and shelter to an incredible diversity of marine life including key species such as the Nassau grouper, queen conch, and spiny lobster. Coral reefs are also the nation’s first line of defence against storms and hurricanes, breaking up to 97 percent of wave energy before it reaches land. Coral reefs in The Bahamas and around the world are facing catastrophic bleaching due to warming waters from climate change. In addition to coral bleaching, coral reefs are also impacted by pollution from land and physical damage from boat anchors and ship groundings, especially in heavily trafficked areas such as around Western New Providence. The CRSG is located in the waters off Clifton Heritage Park and within Southwest Marine Managed Area and it is intended to serve as a sanctuary for marine life, and a beacon of hope for coral restoration
initiatives. As BREEF celebrates this significant milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to promoting the conservation of the Bahamian marine environment for future generations. The CRSG stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and conservation in safeguarding our precious marine ecosystems.
THE VIRTUOSO Man sculpture and, top, eaglerays swim past Ocean Atlas. Join BREEF in celebrating Earth Day and the ten-year anniversary of the Coral Reef Sculpture Garden by visiting breef. org to learn more about how you can contribute to ocean conservation efforts.