TNC in the Caribbean is Boosting Coral Conservation in The Bahamas

We are working across The Bahamas to protect and restore coral reefs that support the economy, sustain fisheries and tourism, and coastal resilience.

June 26, 2026

A SCUBA diver underwater uses a waterproof notebook and pen to take notes on the coral he is swimming next to. — Coral Research TNC's Solomon Gibson SCUBA dives to monitor coral reefs at Eleuthera Island, Bahamas © Kip Evans

Coral reefs are critical to The Bahamas’ economy and environment, contributing USD $671 million annually to tourism and USD $23.5 million to fisheries, as well as providing coastal protection for vulnerable communities.

In 2025, TNC’s Northern Caribbean Program achieved an important goal toward reinvigorating the Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub (BCIH) by renewing an agreement with The Cape Eleuthera Institute and The Perry Institute for Marine Science.

Colorful coral with a few small fish in clear water. — **Supporting Healthy Habitat** Healthy coral reefs in the Caribbean support countless species and half the region's economy. © Paul A. Selvaggio

A white octopus dappled with pink spots living among the coral. — **Creatures in the Coral** Not only is coral a colony of living organisms, but this octopus calls it home as well. © Kip Evans

Supporting Healthy Habitat Healthy coral reefs in the Caribbean support countless species and half the region's economy. © Paul A. Selvaggio

Creatures in the Coral Not only is coral a colony of living organisms, but this octopus calls it home as well. © Kip Evans

Under the renewed agreement, TNC and Hub partners will:

Develop and implement a five-year strategic plan, including a targeted reef restoration program by 2030.
Advance research on and increase propagation of climate-resilient coral species.
Expand the use of innovative reef monitoring techniques.
Lead trainings to expand local capacity for coral restoration and protection.
Provide scientific and technical guidance to inform national policy development and support local partners engaged in coral conservation.

A stingray swims through a seagrass bed next to a coral ecosystem. — **Nature and People** Supporting coral reefs provides habitat for species, like the stingray seen here, but coral reef ecosystems also provide a buffer that helps protect coastal communities from storm surge and erosion. © Paul Selvaggio

A coral patch covered with hundreds of small fish. — **Economic Impact** Healthy coral reefs create a ripple effect throughout the ocean. They provide critical nursery habitat and shelter for larger pelagic fish that support both recreational tourism and commercial fisheries, sustaining livelihoods and communities across The Bahamas. © Paul Selvaggio

Nature and People Supporting coral reefs provides habitat for species, like the stingray seen here, but coral reef ecosystems also provide a buffer that helps protect coastal communities from storm surge and erosion. © Paul Selvaggio

Economic Impact Healthy coral reefs create a ripple effect throughout the ocean. They provide critical nursery habitat and shelter for larger pelagic fish that support both recreational tourism and commercial fisheries, sustaining livelihoods and communities across The Bahamas. © Paul Selvaggio

Funding Secured for Bahama Reefs Program Phase II

The approval of the replenishment request to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) confirms strong confidence in the Impact Funding for BahamaReefs Phase I Program’s results and long-term strategy.

Phase I delivered notable successes including:

Reef-positive enterprises advanced restoration efforts, including the Reef Rescue Network, which outplanted over 1,500 coral fragments and raised more than USD $693,000 through philanthropy, co-financing, and market revenues—achieving 2.8x leverage on the initial GFCR investment.
The Bahamas Protected Areas Fund’s Voluntary Opt-In program on the Customs Click2Clear platform generated over USD $146,000, yielding a 4.7x return on grant support.
The Elizabeth Harbour Conservation Partnership installed 64 eco-friendly moorings to reduce anchor damage and now generates more than USD $122,000 annually in revenue.

Near the bottom of the seafloor next to a colorful and diverse coral reef, looking up at the light coming through at the surface. — **Communities for Coral** Protecting coral reefs in The Bahamas requires collaboration. By bringing together local communities, conservation partners, scientists, and government agencies, we can restore reefs, strengthen marine ecosystems, and help ensure these vital habitats continue to support people, wildlife, and coastal economies for generations to come. © Kip Evans

Looking at a colorful coral reef ecosystem from under a deep blue Caribbean Sea. — **Science-based Conservation** Conservation and science are working hand in hand to protect The Bahamas' coral reefs. By studying how reefs respond to environmental change and applying innovative restoration techniques, researchers are helping these ecosystems recover. © Kip Evans

Communities for Coral Protecting coral reefs in The Bahamas requires collaboration. By bringing together local communities, conservation partners, scientists, and government agencies, we can restore reefs, strengthen marine ecosystems, and help ensure these vital habitats continue to support people, wildlife, and coastal economies for generations to come. © Kip Evans

Science-based Conservation Conservation and science are working hand in hand to protect The Bahamas' coral reefs. By studying how reefs respond to environmental change and applying innovative restoration techniques, researchers are helping these ecosystems recover. © Kip Evans

A major advancement for Phase II is the new MOU with the Bahamas Development Bank, signaling increased national-level support for reef-positive businesses. In parallel, the Small Business Development Center’s Blue Economy Accelerator is preparing to launch its first cohort in 2026, aiming to strengthen local entrepreneurship and unlock future concessional lending. Forty micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are expected to benefit.

By integrating conservation, community livelihoods, and innovative finance, BahamaReefs is well positioned to sustain and scale its impact as additional funding becomes available to achieve the full vision of the program.