National

BREEF Celebrates World Ocean Day With Free Snorkel

Published

5 months ago

June 9, 2024

Jean Joseph

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As the world celebrates World Ocean Day, small island states like The Bahamas continue to grapple with the realities of climate change, with rising temperatures affecting life on earth and underwater. Assistant Professor of Oceanography at the University of The Bahamas, Brendon Bethel, says the heat we feel on land affects marine life just as much, causing many of our favorite fish to leave our waters in search of cooler climates.

“For The Bahamas and other small island developing states, the health of the ocean dictates the health of our nation. If the ocean is not doing well, by definition, we are not doing well. That is why it is important to come out to World Ocean Day and introduce the marine environment to the younger generation.”

Participants like the 2024 B.E.S.S. scholar, Journey Higgs, enjoyed the guided snorkeling experience led by BREEF staff. Journey, an Abaco native who experienced Dorian firsthand, says she has a new appreciation for how human actions impact the environment.

“My firsthand experience with Hurricane Dorian made me more aware of the real-life impact and the effects that our rising temperatures have on The Bahamas. As a country that relies so much on the oceans, it’s important to become knowledgeable about them, to educate others about them, and to understand the real-world impact that the climate – that we’re directly contributing to – how it plays a role in storms like Dorian, which was catastrophic.”

BREEF Outreach Officer Heather Brockbank says this experience won’t be the last. She encourages teenagers who missed the experience to take part in other BREEF initiatives throughout the summer.