Tadzio Bervoets links reef protection to public health at Barbados conference

Marine conservationist Tadzio Bervoets told the Climate and One Health Conference in Barbados on Tuesday 3 November 27 and Wednesday 28 October that protecting Caribbean coral reefs is connected to public health, food security and economic resilience.

Bervoets said reef deterioration affects more than marine biodiversity. He said bleaching, habitat loss and declining reef health can affect coastal protection, livelihoods, nutrition, water quality and communities dependent on fishing, tourism and other marine activities.

In a presentation titled “Healthy Oceans, Healthy People: Coral Reefs, Climate and the Future of Caribbean Wellbeing,” Bervoets discussed coral restoration, reef monitoring, marine protected areas and community participation. He referred to work by the Alligator Head Foundation in Portland, Jamaica, and traditional fishers’ knowledge used in planning Sint Maarten’s Man of War Shoal Marine Park.

He also called for reef protection to be included in public-health, disaster-preparedness and climate-adaptation policies. Bervoets discussed regional warning thresholds, responsibilities, communication systems and pre-arranged financing, including blue bonds, debt conversion and parametric insurance.

The conference was organised by Ross University School of Medicine, the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.