Atlantis Recognizes World Oceans Day

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – June 8 is celebrated as World Oceans Day, and this year’s theme is “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.”

We spoke with Atlantis’ team about the importance of coral reefs as our first line of defense.

Elgin Hepburn, Atlantis’ Associate Director of Water Features, reminded us that we’re surrounded by water and depend on it for so many things.

The ocean is home to marine life, coral reefs, and endangered species.

It’s one of the main reasons Atlantis partnered with the government to establish a marine protected area in Andros.

Elgin Hepburn – Atlantis’ Associate Director of Water Features

“The Atlantis Blue Project Foundation was the one to donate to fund it, to make sure that that became a reality. And we’re thankful that 1.4 million acres of protected area in Andros is a reality. And there are so many species that depend on that, including the smalltooth sawfish, which is a critically endangered species. They’ve been found in that area, and we’re hoping that nobody trashes that area so those species can continue to thrive.”

It’s that same kind of thinking that Hepburn hopes Bahamians will consider, given the threats to some of the delicacies we enjoy.

Elgin Hepburn – Atlantis’ Associate Director of Water Features

“We’ve got a closed season for lobsters because they’ve been overfished, poaching and everything, so we want Bahamians to remember: don’t catch them during the closed season. Don’t catch them if they’re too small. Give them the chance to reproduce so that we can have them for the future. And the queen conch, the same thing. We eat too much of it as Bahamians. So we need to back up on that and follow the rules, make sure you measure them, make sure they’re the right size, make sure they’re mature before you harvest them.”

On June 8, Atlantis is giving locals and guests the chance to get up close and personal with their conservation efforts.

Senior Aquarist Erin Kelly said it’s a reminder that protecting our waters means protecting our

Erin Kelly – Senior Aquarist, Atlantis

“June 8, we have our Creatively Blue World Oceans Day celebration. So locals as well as guests can come out to the Coral Lobby between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. We do have live touch tank systems that you guys can come out to. You can meet baby sharks, sea turtles, as well as sea stars. Come out, learn about the sea animals, and you can also learn about the Blue Project Foundation, learn about all of the restoration efforts and conservation efforts that we have here on the resort, learn about our critically endangered animals, and how this day gives back to the community as well as the environment.”