Marine Life & Conservation

Caribbean Nations Unite to Advance Marine Conservation Financing at Curaçao Workshop

Published

2 months ago

March 27, 2025

Earlier this month, marine conservation leaders from across the Caribbean gathered in Curaçao for an intensive workshop focused on sustainable finance solutions for protected areas. The 3-day event, jointly organized by Blue Marine Foundation, Blue Nature Alliance, and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), brought together marine park managers and conservation professionals from ten Caribbean islands.

Representatives from all six Dutch Caribbean islands participated alongside delegates from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, the Dominican Republic and St. Kitts & Nevis. The workshop featured collaborative sessions, expert presentations, and strategic planning to address the critical funding challenges facing marine conservation efforts throughout the region.

Participants received insights on diverse financing mechanisms, drawing from regional and global case studies that serve as templates for the Caribbean’s unique marine ecosystems. By focusing on opportunities and collaboration, the workshop exemplified how intentional shifts can create ripple effects in conservation efforts.

“It’s been such an encouraging event,” said Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine. “Ten Caribbean islands have come together to share challenges and concerns, particularly grave funding and capacity shortages for vital conservation work in the region. We have emerged with a range of creative, innovative solutions which have the potential to channel meaningful finance for marine protection into the region. In our concerted effort to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, the Caribbean Sea is becoming the ‘Sea of Hope!’”

The “30 by 30″ initiative represents a global commitment to protect at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. This ambitious target aims to safeguard marine biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience against climate change, and secure sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. “Meaningful change happens when we listen, collaborate, and center on the people who know these places best. At the Blue Nature Alliance, we believe conservation finance is a vital enabler, one that must support island-led priorities and scale regional solutions. The choices we make now matter, for the ocean and for every community that depends on it.” said Sarah Elsaid, Regional Lead, Blue Nature Alliance.

“The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance firmly believes that regional collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable conservation funding,” said Arno Verhoeven, Director of DCNA. “This workshop has provided crucial insights into the diverse conservation strategies being implemented across Caribbean islands. By aligning our efforts, we’ve taken an important first step toward developing more robust financing mechanisms. Our shared marine ecosystem requires shared solutions.”

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for participating nations to exchange experiences, celebrate conservation successes, and collaboratively develop strategies to overcome shared challenges. Participants departed with actionable plans to implement sustainable financing mechanisms tailored to their specific ecological and economic contexts.

About the Organizing Partners

Blue Marine Foundation is a UK ocean conservation charity set up in 2010 by some of the team behind the award-winning documentary film ‘The End of the Line’. Blue Marine is dedicated to addressing overfishing, one of the world’s biggest environmental problems and aims to restore the ocean to health by protecting and restoring marine environments. Its mission is to ensure the effective protection of at least 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030 and the sustainable management of the whole ocean.
Blue Nature Alliance is an ambitious global initiative working to accelerate the pace, scale, and effectiveness of 5% of the global ocean, or 18M km2, by 2027, through partner-led collaboration and innovation.
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance is the regional network of protected areas and conservation organizations across the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten.

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Marine Life & Conservation

Raising Awareness for Scuttle the Cuttle – A Global First in Tackling Microplastic Pollution

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Team Scubaverse

Addressing the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution, a new innovation is turning the tide—by placing real-world environmental action in the hands of children. Scuttle the Cuttle, a microplastic-collecting tool designed specifically for young users, has been launched as a practical and inspiring way to involve families in beach cleanups.

Crafted entirely from recycled ocean plastic, Scuttle is a cuttlefish-shaped combination of bucket and sieve. Its engaging design, sustainability credentials, and focus on education make it more than just a toy—it’s a tool for change.

scuttle the cuttle

Designed for Impact

Scuttle’s core purpose is to help remove microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5mm—from beaches. With a mesh size of 2.8mm, Scuttle can collect small plastic fragments and nurdles before they degrade further. This addresses a critical but often overlooked part of the plastic pollution problem.

Built for Young Eco-Heroes

Scuttle is ergonomically designed for both children and adults. Lightweight, durable, and easy to carry, it allows even the youngest users to contribute meaningfully to beach cleanups. Its approachable design turns environmental action into a fun and empowering activity for children and families.

Circular by Design

From production to end-of-life, Scuttle reflects a strong commitment to the circular economy. Made from 100% recycled ocean plastic and fully recyclable, it is manufactured with long-term use in mind. The product not only removes waste from the environment but also repurposes existing waste in its construction, reducing environmental impact across its lifecycle.

Community and Collaboration

In addition to its environmental function, Scuttle is part of a broader movement to build awareness and encourage local partnerships. It supports responsible sourcing, local collaborations, and community-driven conservation efforts.

Scuttle is now available for purchase and is positioned as the first product of its kind focused specifically on the collection of microplastics through kid-friendly, hands-on cleanup.

For more information about Scuttle the Cuttle, visit odysseyinnovation.com/pages/scuttle.

Marine Life & Conservation

I.CARE, SSI Blue Oceans, and Mares Team Up to Remove Over 36,000 Pounds of Debris from the Florida Keys

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2025

Team Scubaverse

The 3rd Annual I.CARE Trash Derby has come to a successful close, delivering a powerful message of community-driven conservation. In partnership with SSI Blue Oceans, Mares, and several other industry leaders, I.CARE once again led an inspiring grassroots effort to restore and protect the marine environment of the Florida Keys.

This year’s Trash Derby broke records, drawing support from more than 900 participants—including divers, boaters, and conservation advocates—who collectively removed an impressive 36,459 pounds of marine debris. Over a two-day period, teams worked on land, along shorelines, and at reef sites both above and below the water, making a meaningful contribution to the region’s ecological health.

“I am so proud of everyone involved in last week’s I.CARE Trash Derby,” said Mike Goldberg, Co-Founder of I.CARE. “This level of success comes from the passion and hard work of hundreds of people who care about our oceans, reefs, and local communities. I’m filled with gratitude.”

Recognizing Top Contributors: From Trash to Triumph

The event featured competition across three categories—Land & Shore, Private Boat, and Dive Operator—awarding teams based on the amount of debris collected per person. Additional special recognitions included the most monofilament retrieved and the most unusual item found. Congratulations to the standout teams of 2025:

Land & Shore Division:

Tired of Tires – 1,128.75 lbs/person
DerSno – 930.7 lbs/person
KnotaYacht – 124.2 lbs/person

Private Boat Division:

Triple Crown – 1,076.83 lbs/person
Fisherman & the Mermaid – 735.95 lbs/person
Dumpster Diving Divas – 572.875 lbs/person

Dive Operator Division:

Quiescence Diving – 430.6 lbs/person (average)
Key Dives – 141.3 lbs/person (average)
Captain’s Corner – 83.2 lbs/person (average)

Special Awards:

Most Monofilament Collected: Conch Republic Divers (26.8 lbs)
Most Unique Item Found: Bilge Buddies

Celebrating Conservation with Community and Education

The weekend concluded with the Trash Derby Festival at Founders Park in Islamorada. Attendees enjoyed live music, food, and sustainability-focused vendors, all centered around marine conservation. The festival also provided opportunities to connect with environmental organizations and celebrate the participants’ achievements.

“The energy and dedication from everyone involved was incredible,” said Rachael Steidley, SSI’s North America Marketing Manager. “This event goes beyond collecting trash—it’s about building a movement and inspiring conservation on a global scale.”

Looking Ahead to 2026: Raising the Bar

Plans are already underway for the 4th Annual I.CARE Trash Derby, with organizers calling on dive pros, boaters, and ocean advocates to help set an even bigger record next year.

To get involved or learn more about how you or your dive shop can participate in 2026, visit www.icaretrashderby.com or contact I.CARE at info@icareaboutcoral.org.

Let’s keep making waves for the planet—one pound at a time.