The Tribune

The Sandals Foundation is backing the C-FISH Fund as one of its commitment to the ‘Caribbean Challenge’, an initiative that calls for protected zones along the region’s coasts by 2020.

The C-FISH Fund is a private-public partnership, with the goal of providing sustainable financial support to fish sanctuaries in the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation will partner with it by putting mechanisms in place to bring in sustainable funding through tourism for the C-FISH Fund.

These mechanisms will include tours of artificial reefs and the development of local craft to be sold in Sandals Resorts’ gift shops.

The Sandals Foundation has also committed to meeting the following objectives by 2017: Support effective management of the Boscobel and Whitehouse fish sanctuaries in Jamaica; provide financial and volunteer support for turtle conservation in Antigua and Jamaica; and continue to provide support for the Bahamas National Trust’s (BNT) conch conservation programme.

The second phase of the ‘Caribbean Challenge’ was announced at the Caribbean Summit of Political and Business Leaders on May 17—18, hosted by the Virgin Group of Companies chief executive, Richard Branson; British Virgin Islands Premier Orlando Smith; and Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell.

In attendance were delegations from nine Caribbean countries, representatives from resort companies and cruise lines, the World Bank, United Nations, foundations and environmental groups.

“The environmental sustainability of the region is everyone’s business, and the time has come for us all to step up to the plate. We completely support the ‘Caribbean Challenge’ and encourage the entire region to come on board,” said Adam Stewart, president of the Sandals Foundation, who attended the summit along with Heidi Clarke, the director of programmes of the Sandals Foundation.

The Sandals Foundation will be addressing the areas of marine and coastal protection; restoration of marine and coastal resources; sustainable tourism; sustainable fisheries; adaptation to climate change and marine pollution.