20 February 2019
~ The non-profit Arm of Sandals Resorts International celebrates World Wildlife Day, this March ~
February 2019; The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International, continues to improve the Islands of the Caribbean ahead of World Wildlife day on 3rd March 2019.
Operating in three core areas; education, community and the environment, The Sandals Foundation has developed several successful conservation projects to assist and protect multiple Caribbean wildlife populations, including an innovative Lionfish Diving Programme. Run in conjunction with Sandals and Beaches Watersports teams in Jamaica, the programme aims to reduce lionfish populations on nearby reefs.
The non-indigenous species destroy essential local fish populations due to their lack of predators, they consume juvenile fish and crustaceans and eat up to 30 times their stomach volume. The recognisable brown and white fish also have venomous spines and can harm locals if not handled properly.
Through its commitment to marine conservation and education, The Sandals Foundation assists scientific research, hosts lionfish community awareness workshops, supports lionfish tournaments for local fisherman, conducting lionfish culling and organises lionfish hunting dives for dive-certified guests at selected Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
Other wildlife projects funded by the Sandals Foundation include;
Coral Restoration – In partnership with Coral Restoration Foundation and CLEAR Caribbean, three Coral nurseries have been established across Jamaica and St. Lucia. Built to help and aid coral growth, the 3,500 coral fragments planted have protected shorelines, restored the reef and ultimately fish populations.
Beach Clean-ups - The Sandals Foundation has worked with thousands of volunteers across the Caribbean on Beach Clean-ups, which has seen the collection of over 33,154 pounds of rubbish from local beaches and from our water ways. A partnership with the United Nations Environment program has also seen the launch of a yearlong Rubbish Reduction programme that monitors, evaluates, educates, separates and reduces solid waste in two south coast communities in Jamaica.
Turtle Conservation - For a few months each year, endangered sea turtles inhabit our beaches to lay their eggs. Together, Island Routes, The Sandals Foundation and local turtle conservation authorities work to help monitor the turtles to make sure they reach the water safely, which is something guests can get involved with. Proceeds from this tour helps to benefit the Oracabessa Foundation in their conservation efforts. The Sandals Foundation has since been involved in the release of over 66,304 turtle hatchlings.
In 2018, Sandals Resorts International also eliminated the 21,490,800 single-use plastic straws and stirrers used across its 19 resorts each year, with eco-friendly paper straws available to guests on request. This year, the Company also announced that Styrofoam will also be eliminated from the 1st February 2019, in a continued effort to protect the environment.
To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online at www.sandalsfoundation.org
