LONDON - Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences are working with the Cayman Islands government in an £875,000 project to enhance a protected area.
They hope to preserve vital coral and protect species like turtles.
Dr John Turner, senior lecturer in marine biology in the School of Ocean Sciences, said: "The Cayman Islands present a rich marine environment built up over many years but increased sea temperature, coral bleaching and other climate changes such as storm frequency and rising sea levels are global threats.
"We must ensure that marine ecosystems such as coral reefs maintain their capacity to recover from major impacts. If these systems lack resilience, then economic losses incur as property and critical infrastructure become insecure, fish catches reduce, other species and habitats such as turtles, seabirds, sea grasses and mangroves decline, and tourism revenue is lost."
He said the aim of the project is to provide scientific evidence of reserve effects and an assessment of options for protected area enhancement in the Cayman Islands.
"The project will demonstrate that after 25 years, the Cayman Marine Protected Area System can adapt to new stresses, and remain an excellent model for the wider Caribbean," he added.
Gina Ebanks Petrie, the Director of the Department of the Environment (DoE) of the Cayman Islands Government, added: "Come April 2011, it will be 25 years since the establishment of the Caymans Marine Parks System – back then we were one of the first to establish such a system and we remain very proud of that.
"However, DoE is increasingly challenged to respond with timely and appropriate targeted interventions in the marine environment.
"There is now an urgency to undertake a scientifically robust assessment of the Cayman Marine Parks in order to enhance the system to cope with a growing number of global and local issues. We were very fortunate to partner with School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University, UK and The Nature Conservancy of the US, which is the largest international conservation organisation."
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