CONSERVATION
Citizen Science
Contribute to Marine Conservation while Diving with CCMI!
Are you a diver in the Cayman Islands looking for something fun and interesting to do over the fall holiday weekend? Have you ever wanted to scuba dive with a purpose? Are you interested in learning more about Caymans coral reef ecosystem?
Join our team at the Little Cayman Research Centre this fall by spending your holiday weekend diving and living at CCMI’s fully functioning remote field station! Divers are invited to become citizen scientists by helping our team collect and enter data to aid the most critically endangered ecosystem in the oceans, our coral reefs.
When – November 11th – 13th, 2023 (Remembrance Day Weekend – Cayman Islands)
Where – The Little Cayman Research Centre (North Coast Road, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands)
Price – KYD $675
WHO SHOULD JOIN US AS CITIZEN SCIENTISTS:
Certified recreational scuba divers (18+ years of age) who are interested in diving with a purpose, learning more about coral reefs, and being a part of a unique diving experience at CCMI’s Little Cayman Research Centre.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Citizen scientists will be immersed in the daily life of our Little Cayman Research Centre, where they learn about the importance of coral reefs, a range of conservation projects, and the basics of underwater field research methods. Participants will assist our team with timely local, regional, and international citizen science projects – learning methodologies which can be continued at home after leaving your experience with CCMI!
There will also be plenty of opportunities outside of diving to explore the beauty of Little Cayman through the use of our bicycles, kayaks, and sunrise yoga on the deck. Life at the field station is a truly unique experience, complete with nightly stargazing, beach BBQs, and an ocean view of the Bloody Bay Marine Park just steps from your bedroom door!
This is a weekend where you will have the opportunity to learn as much or as little as you want!
Fee includes full room and board (3 meals/day + snacks, 3 days/2 nights), boat and shore diving, all lecture and survey materials, and ground transportation in Little Cayman. Price does not include Divers Alert Network (DAN) insurance, flights, or dive gear.
Contact our education team if you or someone you know is interested in scuba diving with our team on Little Cayman this fall to help our coral reefs!
DIVE WITH A RESEARCHER
Diving to Help Save Coral Reefs- Science in Action
Why are some corals surviving climate change while others are not?
Scientists at the Little Cayman Research Centre are working on this question and you could help.
JOIN US AS CITIZEN SCIENTISTS
Have you ever wanted to scuba dive with a purpose?
Or have you ever wished you could explore reefs with a scientist and discover something new?
Do you want to help coral reef scientists solve some of the mysteries of coral reefs?
If so, you can join our team at the Little Cayman Research Centre this summer and spend a week at a working, vibrant field station.
Divers are invited to become citizen scientists to help us answer questions to aid the most critically endangered ecosystem in the ocean.
Price – CI $2,500
WHO SHOULD JOIN US:
Scuba divers who are interested in diving with a purpose and learning more about coral reefs
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Daily dives will see participants taking part in research in action. Whether you are helping us with the coral restoration, taking part in monitoring or supporting scientists as they collect data, you will be immersed in the most beautiful marine environment.
You will help with beach clean ups, get a lionfish license and help cull lionfish. Learn more about the fish, corals and critters that contribute to healthy coral reefs, whilst living at a fully operational vibrant field research facility. You will take part in talks with local scientists and have the opportunity to learn as much or as little as you want!
Little Cayman is a beautiful island, there will be opportunity to kayak, swim, snorkel and explore the islands’ hidden gems, as well as head out in the evenings to the local bar or restaurant if you feel like venturing off site.
Room and board (3 meals/day, 7 days/6 nights) will be provided. Prices do not include insurance, flights or gear.
Contact CCMI if your family or friend group is interested in scuba diving with scientists on Little Cayman to help our reefs.
REEFS GO LIVE
As terrestrial beings, most people are challenged to understand the unique processes of the ocean or even fathom being able to take the plunge and dive below the waves. Among the challenges is that urban, rural and geographically land-locked people perceive the ocean to be a distant place beyond their reach. In addition, scientists are often conducting research on relevant topics at remote locations where it is virtually impossible for the majority of the general public to gain a first-hand experience. This reality creates enormous financial, logistical, physical constraints on bringing people into the field where they can directly explore the ocean.
CCMI’s education team has developed a transformational, interactive education programme using Virtual Live Experiences (VLEs) methods to connect students and the public to real-time coral reef activity, in an informal science setting. Scientists use high tech face masks and streaming computer equipment to deliver live lessons from the underwater and lab environment. Innovative technology enables VLEs to reduce barriers to learning by communicating interactive ‘real-life’ experiences in an informal, scalable science setting. Learn more about the programme HERE.
Do you want your students to be a part of this adventure below the waves? Contact us today.
DIVING WITH HEROES
Since 2016, CCMI has partnered with Diving With Heroes to deliver a week-long programme every year at the Little Cayman Research Centre as part of the Diving With Heroes Marine Science Intiative. Veterans spend their time immersed in field station life working alongside scientists to preserve and restore coral reef ecosystems. We know that diving creates a new, invigorating world for veterans, helping recovery, opening new doors to a different way of life and providing an active, technical sport that aligns with a military way of thinking. By taking this experience a step further and including the research and conservation element into the mix, diving is given a greater purpose – it’s not just about enjoying the sport, it’s also about learning how to protect our oceans for the future.
For more information, check out the Diving With Heroes website.
OUTREACH
Little Cayman Reef Lecture Series
CCMI’s scientists conduct weekly lectures on CCMI’s current research interests as well as other issues impacting the marine environment. These lectures are held locally at Southern Cross Club at 6 pm on Thursdays and are open to the public including visitors. The topics covered will include themes like climate change and its impact on coral reefs, the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish, ongoing efforts to recover local Nassau grouper populations and a variety of other issues impacting Cayman Islands reefs. For the most current information on the lecture series, please see our Facebook Page.
Research Station Tour
Weekly tours are conducted on Friday at 3:00 pm at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute for guests on Little Cayman. Visitors are able to see the research facilities firsthand and get an inside look into our current research programmes. Visitors to Little Cayman interested in a tour of the station should inquire at the reception desk of their hotel or call CCMI on: 1 345 948 1094 or email info@reefresearch.org. Reserve your space for FREE today!
Dollar a Dive
Little Cayman’s Bloody Bay Marine Park is among one of the most diverse and pristine coral reefs in the world and unlike other marine parks around the world is open to divers free of charge. For divers who would like to support research to protect and preserve this natural wonder, CCMI has created the “Dollar-a-Dive” campaign. For a donation of $1 per dive done in the marine park (usually about $10), divers will receive a dive tag to place on their equipment to show their support for marine conservation and commemorate their dive trip in Little Cayman. All proceeds go toward funding CCMI’s research in Little Cayman. Dive tags are available for purchase at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute and also at local dive shops on Little Cayman.
