Cayman Islands Coral Reefs Stream Live, Engaging Viewers Worldwide

Little Cayman, Cayman Islands – Students and marine enthusiasts around the globe are invited to experience the underwater wonders of the Cayman Islands with the return of Reefs Go Live, an innovative educational program by the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI). The live streaming initiative, which first launched in 2018, showcases the vibrant coral reefs using advanced underwater video technology and audio equipment to broadcast the rich marine biodiversity.

This year’s program promises to be more interactive than ever, allowing viewers to engage with divers in real-time, ask questions, and participate in online polls. While coral reefs worldwide are facing severe challenges due to rising ocean temperatures, the reefs surrounding Little Cayman have shown promising resilience, with key reef-building coral species surviving these extreme conditions.

The success of the 2024 season of Reefs Go Live is evident, with over 45,000 views from ocean advocates internationally. For the upcoming season, CCMI is introducing four new episodes alongside additional educational resources, including mini-documentaries designed to enhance classroom integration.

“This year marks the culmination of some of CCMI’s largest and most groundbreaking research projects,” said Kate Holden, CCMI’s general manager. “Our findings, which provide insight into the future of Cayman’s reefs amid climate change, will be integral to every broadcast this season.”

Holden reported, “Recent data indicate that the reefs of Little Cayman exhibit signs of resilience and recovery under some of the most extreme environmental conditions on record. We look forward to connecting students around the world with our unique ecosystem live.”

The first episode of the 2025 season is set for Friday, March 21, at 10 a.m. Cayman time, featuring the episode titled “Exploring the Unknown Ocean: Underwater Mountains of Cayman.” This episode will highlight CCMI researchers’ findings in less-explored areas like Pickle Bank and 12-Mile Bank, emphasizing the significance of this research for the region’s coral reefs. Upcoming episodes include: “Cryptic Creatures of the Reef” on April 11; “Endangered Corals: Finding and Restoring Rare Coral Species” on May 9; and “Climate Change and Our Ocean” on June 6, coinciding with World Ocean Day.

Registration for Reefs Go Live is free and only needs to be completed once to gain access to all episodes which can be viewed on CCMI’s website.