Marine Conservation Is Key At MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – MSC Cruises is leading the way in redefining the private island experience, not just through luxury and leisure, but with a strong focus on marine conservation and sustainability.

Just 20 miles off Bimini, Ocean Cay has transformed from an abandoned aragonite mining site in the 1960s into a $200 million eco-destination and signature stop for MSC Cruises, welcoming guests since 2019.

Earlier this year, the cruise line launched the MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Center, a facility dedicated to research, coral restoration, and public education.

Emeline Bouchet, the Foundation’s Marine Program Manager, says the center serves as a vital platform for environmental awareness.

“We welcome visitors daily… almost 5,000 people per ship,” Bouchet said. “This is the best way to educate people, because that’s the first step in protecting the environment.”

The center features 22 coral tanks, a fully equipped bio lab, and a lecture hall, making it both a learning hub and a base for reef research. Bouchet says one of their primary goals is to combat coral bleaching, a crisis that has affected over 80% of surveyed reefs globally.

“We’re preparing to grow up to 3,000 corals,” she explained. “In our lab, we study ways to help corals adapt to rising ocean temperatures and heat waves.”

The MSC Foundation has also partnered with Florida universities and The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) to train young Bahamian scientists and advance regional marine research.

“The point is to train the new scientists in The Bahamas,” Bouchet said.