The main goals of this newly proposed project are to encourage sustainable use of coral reef ecosystem
services and goods and to increase awareness of coral reefs, and their threats with special emphasis on
the impacts of habitat loss and climate change. The activities of the project will increase awareness of the
mechanism, causes, and impacts of climate change on coral reefs and coastal areas by using a multimedia
approach in order to reach out to all age groups. The activities will be designed to reach a variety of target
groups including schools, community groups, the dive industry, and the general public countrywide. The
outcomes will provide an avenue for the both visitors and locals to be actively engaged in protecting,
rehabilitating and mitigating coral reef loss. They will also encourage stakeholders to take action on a
personal and/or institutional level to use reduce their contribution to, or adapt to the potential impacts of
climate change on coral reefs and our way of life in The Bahamas. Project objectives include:
? To rehabilitate coral reefs in coastal habitats by increasing the structural complexity and
biodiversity through the installation of an artificial reef in western New Providence?s nearshore
environment to mitigate coral reef damage and or loss through: climate change, ship groundings
etc.
? Mainstreaming the concepts of climate change through the production and dissemination of
outreach and educational resources suitable for public and school-based use.
? Fostering the development of behaviours and strategies to minimize, adapt to or mitigate the
negative impacts of coral reef habitat loss and climate change on The Bahamas? marine
environment, and economic activities through experiential and/or place-based learning.