ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CHOSEN FOR GLOBAL LAUNCH OF OCEAN CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

Antigua and Barbuda is now on the cutting-edge of ocean conservation efforts to safeguard against the impacts of climate change. This could not have come at a more opportune time as the country is losing its beaches, some facing erosion of up to 10 feet a year.
The country was chosen for the first deployment of tailor-made coral modules from the pioneering coral reef restoration project OceanShot on Monday, in what is expected to be an innovation used globally.
OceanShot was created by climate scientist and marine biologist Dr Deborah Brosnan and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria.
The coral modules combine both built structure and living coral. They are architecturally designed to restore a once-thriving ocean ecosystem, and to protect shoreline and ocean communities from the ravaging impact of storms and sea level rise, as well as to revive ocean-dependent local economies. This project is scalable for global implementation.
Antigua and Barbuda was chosen for the initial coral module deployment because it illustrates the problem facing millions around the world. With the majority of its corals dead, the coastline is vulnerable to storm surge, erosion and sea level rise. A living coral reef breaks over 90% of a wave’s energy, helping to keep sand on the beach and reduce run-up.
Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne was in Barbuda for the event, and has hailed it as a crucial endeavour in the battle against climate change.