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Caribbean Currents Newsletter

CoralCarib: From Regional Reef Restoration to Global Participation

CoralCarib is advancing coral reef conservation across the Caribbean while sharing its work with the global conservation community.

August 31, 2026

Fish swimming in coral reef.
Healthy Oceans, Healthy Reefs Coral reefs provide food, shelter, and habitat for countless marine species—protecting them means protecting the vibrant ocean communities that depend on them. © Rachel Hancock Davis

The CoralCarib team and partners have continued to make meaningful progress across the region, combining science, education, and community engagement to strengthen the Caribbean’s coral reefs. Our engagement has stretched across the world as well, thanks to our participation in this year’s International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in New Zealand.

Protecting Reefs and Coral, and Going Solar in Jamaica

In Jamaica, local partner Alligator Head Foundation (AHF)’s restoration efforts, supported by grant funding from the National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ), continue to make significant progress. AHF expanded reef threat abatement activities and coral restoration within protected areas, including outplanting coral “cookies” containing Orbicella faveolata recruits. Additionally, AHF led and expanded this year’s coral spawning season through successful collection efforts, alongside the Discovery Bay Laboratory, the University of the West Indies, and local volunteer divers. The organization also hosted a successful Open Day and Solar System Launch, where they showcased CoralCarib-supported activities to stakeholders and visitors, including the German Ambassador.

A SCUBA diver swims next to a large coral outcropping.
Cuban Coral Coral reefs were studied in Cuba to gain information on spawning which will aid in propagation efforts. © Steve Schill/TNC

Coral Protection and Education in Cuba

Scientists from Cuba’s National Museum monitored coral spawning near Havana and are preparing to conduct sexual coral propagation activities in Zapata. Additionally, researchers submitted two scientific papers documenting the status of Cuban coral reefs following the landmark 2023 national reef survey. Both papers provide insights into coral health, reef fish communities, disease prevalence, and ecosystem changes across the region. In the Dominican Republic, the team is preparing a publication summarizing four years of SAMAR monitoring data.

Even as the restoration work takes place, CoralCarib project staff are focused on teaching and inspiring the next generation of marine guardians across the Central Caribbean. They blended education and science by producing a number of children's books highlighting the importance of the program's work in Cuba.

 Engaging Government in Haiti 

In Haiti, coral restoration activities continue through nursery maintenance, monitoring, and outplanting preparations. To spread the word about the restoration work and progress made, CoralCarib project staff and partners continue community engagement efforts and hosting government roundtables to present project results. 

CIM 2.0 Opens in DR

The Dominican Republic celebrated the inauguration of the Center for Marine Innovation (CIM 2.0), which creates new opportunities for coral research, restoration, and training. Engaging with government agencies, universities, and NGOs helps ensure CoralCarib's tools, research, and lessons learned are shared widely.

A group of coral reef managers get together for a photo at the International Coral Reef Symposium in New Zealand.
TNC at ICRS 2026 Reef managers and practitioners from around the world gather for a Reef Resilience Network training at ICRS 2026 in New Zealand. © TNC

CoralCarib Represented at ICRS

Several members of the CoralCarib project participated in the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in New Zealand July 19-24, one of the world’s most important gatherings of coral reef and marine science experts. The symposium brings together researchers, conservation practitioners, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe to share the latest science and present solutions for protecting reef ecosystems.

Participants showcased CoralCarib project findings with the international scientific community, fostered new collaborations, and helped inform global strategies for safeguarding coral reefs in the face of climate change and other emerging challenges.

Connecting Science and Government

Recently, the CoralCarib project initiated a series of meetings and workshops with government representatives, academia, NGOs, and key partners. The engagement aims to present study results that inform national coral reef policies and support Global Biodiversity Framework implementation, including National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, National Adaptation Plans, climate policies, and Sustainable Development Goals commitments. Project leaders are also sharing Coral Climate Refugia and Larval Dispersal tools during the meetings to encourage the adoption of climate-smart approaches to coral restoration. 

So far, we have conducted meetings and workshops with the governments of Haiti and Jamaica, with a workshop planned in August with the Dominican government. 

A man speaks at a podium with a huge projection screen with information on his talk.
Reef Monitoring Talk At ICRS 2026 in New Zealand, TNC's Aldo Croquer presents findings from the Dominican Republic's national coral reef monitoring program, MONITOREA. © TNC
Staghorn coral in the Caribbean Sea.
Elkorn and Boulder Coral Elkhorn and boulder coral on the reef at Del Este National Park which lies along the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. The Nature Conservancy is working with the government of the Dominican Republic as well as other partner conservation organizations to protect the park and its fragile marine environment. © Jeff Yonover