The MSC Foundation has officially opened its new Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay, marking a significant milestone in coral reef conservation and marine research in The Bahamas. This advanced facility includes interactive pavilions, a lecture hall, a Bio Lab, and a coral nursery with 22 tanks, serving as a hub for scientists, students, and visitors.
Executive Director Daniela Picco highlighted the center’s role in bridging marine science and public engagement, noting it will support up to 30 students annually and foster collaborations with both Bahamian and international experts.
Since its launch in 2019, the Foundation’s Super Coral Reefs Program has focused on restoring reefs around Ocean Cay using heat-resilient coral species. Achievements include identifying thermally resilient coral genotypes, growing corals in open-water nurseries, initiating coral outplanting, and maintaining a 100% survival rate during the 2023 marine heatwave.
Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago called the center’s opening a “defining moment” for ocean conservation, emphasizing its role in ecosystem regeneration, science advancement, and education, all aligned with the circular economy vision supported by the Bahamian government.
Source: Swifteradio.com.
