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Reviving Antigua’s vital and degraded marine ecosystems

Historically abundant and diverse marine ecosystems are declining at an alarming rate, along with their economic and social value.

We’re on a mission to enhance the resilience and local stewardship of Antigua's marine ecosystems through restoration, collaborative management and conservation so that future generations can thrive.

A call to action: After watching decades of degradation, we’re ready to bring Antiguan reefs back to life

Invaluable, and at risk

Antigua’s coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds provide critical services to our local and global communities. Yet these invaluable ecosystems - and their services - are increasingly under threat.

Food security

Antigua and Barbuda has one of the highest consumption rates of fish per capita in the world, highlighting the importance of fish for food security, nutrition and livelihoods.

Tourism & discovery

Antigua’s economy is almost entirely reliant on coastal and marine tourism. Coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves protect beaches while providing boaters, snorkelers and divers a space for discovery.

Coastal protection

Antigua is exposed to destructive hurricane activity and storm surge, which can devastate coastlines and infra-structure. Coastal ecosystems dissipate wave activity by up to 99%, protecting coastlines from erosion and inundation.

Our team of scientists and technicians combine proven restorative approaches with collaborative management and education to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

Through science and collaboration, we achieve meaningful results

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Small changes can make a big impact on the health of our marine ecosystems. Whether its the seafood you order, the home & garden products you use, or where you choose to cast your anchor, we're here to promote the best choices for our oceans.

We all have an impact - what will yours be?

Join our mission to help Antigua’s coastlines thrive

Whether you’re able to contribute your time, money or influence to help us restore our marine environment, we need you on our team. Please consider becoming a member, or reach out to learn how you can volunteer.

Follow us on social media and subscribe to our quarterly newsletter to keep up with our exciting initiatives.

Stay connected

Avant garde! ⚔️ Corals are constantly competing with other organisms for space on the #reef. This knobby brain #coral (#Pseudodiploria #clivosa) is neck and neck with an aggressive encrusting #zooanthid. Like corals, zooanthids are colonial animals m
Avant garde! ⚔️ Corals are constantly competing with other organisms for space on the #reef. This knobby brain #coral (#Pseudodiploria #clivosa) is neck and neck with an aggressive encrusting #zooanthid. Like corals, zooanthids are colonial animals made up of many #polyps, but they do not produce the calcium carbonate structures that stony corals do and instead form 'mats' over existing structures. This means they don't create habitat for fish and other organisms, nor do they help break waves and protect coastlines. We're rooting for the knobby brain!
Have you visited our coral nursery? Located at Ten Pound Bay, Green Island, our #coral #nursery is open to the public for all to see! Grab your #snorkel gear and swim above our coral table, ropes and trees where we grow various species of coral frag
Have you visited our coral nursery? Located at Ten Pound Bay, Green Island, our #coral #nursery is open to the public for all to see! Grab your #snorkel gear and swim above our coral table, ropes and trees where we grow various species of coral fragments. Don’t forget to also check out our restoration site where we have outplanted elkhorn and staghorn corals onto the degraded #reef bed. For more information, check out our display panel on shore!
When collecting coral fragments, we only take up to 10% of the coral colony. This ensures the #coral can fully recover and continue to provide critical habitat structure to marine life. #reefrestoration
When collecting coral fragments, we only take up to 10% of the coral colony. This ensures the #coral can fully recover and continue to provide critical habitat structure to marine life. #reefrestoration
We were honored show Hon. Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, our Minister of Tourism and his wife, Jill around our Green Island nursery and restoration site last week! Recognizing the importance of healthy #reefs for #Antigua’s tourism indust
We were honored show Hon. Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, our Minister of Tourism and his wife, Jill around our Green Island nursery and restoration site last week! Recognizing the importance of healthy #reefs for #Antigua’s tourism industry - and troubled by the reef declines they’ve witnessed in their lifetimes - Minister Max and Jill Fernandez have supported our mission from the get go. We’re incredibly grateful for their involvement and have a feeling they’ll be back underwater with us soon 🪸
Crystal clear blue waters can only mean one thing… 🌊 Jumping in and checking out one of our three coral restoration sites: Ricketts reef🤿🪸 #oceanconservation #coralreefs #restoration
Mixing it up! We love collaborating with @antiguabarbudanationalpark and @marineecology268 to exchange ideas, practices, lessons learned, and even #coral genotypes ✂️
Mixing it up! We love collaborating with @antiguabarbudanationalpark and @marineecology268 to exchange ideas, practices, lessons learned, and even #coral genotypes ✂️
What’s an easy way to tell if #coral #reefs are healthy? Colour. 🐠 🪸
Have you ever seen a spotted eagle ray? 🦅🦈 These creatures have long, slender bodies and striking spotted patterns which help them camouflage from predators. Although they are primarily bottom-dwellers, they are also known for their impressive swim
Have you ever seen a spotted eagle ray? 🦅🦈 These creatures have long, slender bodies and striking spotted patterns which help them camouflage from predators. Although they are primarily bottom-dwellers, they are also known for their impressive swimming abilities and can often be seen leaping out of the water. They are important members of marine ecosystems, feeding on a variety of small fish and invertebrates and helping to maintain the delicate balance of life within #coral #reefs and other underwater habitats. But like many species in our oceans, spotted eagle rays are facing threats from habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. By working together to protect our marine environments, we can help ensure a future for these incredible creatures and the vibrant ecosystems they call home. 🙏🏽🌊 #spottedeagleray #marinelife #oceanconservation #protecttheocean #underwaterworld
Happy birthday to our lead marine scientist, Molly (aka Dr. Wilson) 🐠 When she's not feeding her squad of dogs, chickens and ducks at home, Molly can be found exploring her natural habitat (the ocean), foraging for mangoes, making jewelry out of sa
Happy birthday to our lead marine scientist, Molly (aka Dr. Wilson) 🐠 When she's not feeding her squad of dogs, chickens and ducks at home, Molly can be found exploring her natural habitat (the ocean), foraging for mangoes, making jewelry out of salvaged ocean plastic (@moderntides) and baking pumpkin bread for dive days 🍞🤤. Her creativity, curiosity and humility drive our work here at the EMC, and we are lucky and grateful for her leadership. #womeninscience #badasswomenleaders
Did you know that sea sponges are some of the oldest and most fascinating creatures on the planet? 🌊🧽 These seemingly simple organisms are actually incredibly complex, with a range of unique adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in the
Did you know that sea sponges are some of the oldest and most fascinating creatures on the planet? 🌊🧽 These seemingly simple organisms are actually incredibly complex, with a range of unique adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in the underwater world. Some sponges are capable of producing chemicals with powerful medicinal properties, while others have evolved intricate filtration systems that help maintain water quality and support healthy marine ecosystems. So next time you're exploring the ocean, take a closer look at these unassuming creatures and appreciate the wonders of the natural world! 🐚🐠 #seasponges #marinelife #underwaterworld #oceanexploration #natureisamazing
In addition to eleven other species, our nurseries now house fragments from over 40 genotypes (genetically distinct coral colonies) of #elkhorn # coral. Increasing genetic diversity is key to the success of our restoration efforts. When we plant an a
In addition to eleven other species, our nurseries now house fragments from over 40 genotypes (genetically distinct coral colonies) of #elkhorn # coral. Increasing genetic diversity is key to the success of our restoration efforts. When we plant an area with corals from different parent colonies, we increase the reef's resilience to disease epidemics and bleaching events. Why? Just like humans, coral genetics plays a big part in determining how susceptible they are to disease or heat stress. More genetically diverse reefs means that many corals will remain unaffected or recover in the face of different threats! This ensures the reef can continue to provide ecosystem services such as habitat space and coastal protection during stressful times. #reefrestoration 🪸 🐠
Shout out to @eagantigua on their #turtletuesday posts. You can check out their post from yesterday to learn more about these amazing shelled animals!!
Avant garde! ⚔️ Corals are constantly competing with other organisms for space on the #reef. This knobby brain #coral (#Pseudodiploria #clivosa) is neck and neck with an aggressive encrusting #zooanthid. Like corals, zooanthids are colonial animals m Have you visited our coral nursery? Located at Ten Pound Bay, Green Island, our #coral #nursery is open to the public for all to see! Grab your #snorkel gear and swim above our coral table, ropes and trees where we grow various species of coral frag When collecting coral fragments, we only take up to 10% of the coral colony. This ensures the #coral can fully recover and continue to provide critical habitat structure to marine life. #reefrestoration We were honored show Hon. Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, our Minister of Tourism and his wife, Jill around our Green Island nursery and restoration site last week! Recognizing the importance of healthy #reefs for #Antigua’s tourism indust
Crystal clear blue waters can only mean one thing… 🌊 Jumping in and checking out one of our three coral restoration sites: Ricketts reef🤿🪸 #oceanconservation #coralreefs #restoration
Mixing it up! We love collaborating with @antiguabarbudanationalpark and @marineecology268 to exchange ideas, practices, lessons learned, and even #coral genotypes ✂️
What’s an easy way to tell if #coral #reefs are healthy? Colour. 🐠 🪸
Have you ever seen a spotted eagle ray? 🦅🦈 These creatures have long, slender bodies and striking spotted patterns which help them camouflage from predators. Although they are primarily bottom-dwellers, they are also known for their impressive swim Happy birthday to our lead marine scientist, Molly (aka Dr. Wilson) 🐠 When she's not feeding her squad of dogs, chickens and ducks at home, Molly can be found exploring her natural habitat (the ocean), foraging for mangoes, making jewelry out of sa Did you know that sea sponges are some of the oldest and most fascinating creatures on the planet? 🌊🧽 These seemingly simple organisms are actually incredibly complex, with a range of unique adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in the In addition to eleven other species, our nurseries now house fragments from over 40 genotypes (genetically distinct coral colonies) of #elkhorn # coral. Increasing genetic diversity is key to the success of our restoration efforts. When we plant an a
Shout out to @eagantigua on their #turtletuesday posts. You can check out their post from yesterday to learn more about these amazing shelled animals!!

“Coral reefs sustain Antigua and Barbuda in countless ways. They protect our coastlines and beaches, sustain our economy by increasing tourism value and supply us with local seafood. I have personally witnessed the degradation of our local marine environment and fully support the EMC in their efforts to enhance the heath of these critical ecosystems. As such, the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and Investment is pleased to endorse the EMC's multi-year Coral Reef Restoration Project.”

— Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment