Building on a successful outreach campaign in 2025, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is once again bringing marine science, environmental communication, and engaging storytelling to the Grand Cayman community, helping connect people to nature and inspiring them to be ocean stewards.
Through a series of free public events and school presentations, CCMI is creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with the ocean, understand the biggest challenges facing marine ecosystems, and discover how informed choices and individual action can contribute to positive change.
The planned outreach is part of CCMI’s growing commitment to bring marine science out of the lab and into the wider community, helping develop ocean literacy in the Cayman Islands. Last year, professional science communicators Uli Kunz and Doug Allan OBE presented compelling talks to more than 1,000 ocean enthusiasts over the course of a week in local schools, public events, and at CCMI’s annual fundraising gala, Festival of Seas. Using visual storytelling and personal experiences, the presenters connected audiences with the importance and vulnerability of vital marine ecosystems.
This year, CCMI is pleased to continue this effort with marine scientist Dr Ellen Prager and meteorologist Dave Jones, who will bring their unique combination of science, storytelling, and humour to classrooms and lecture halls across the island.
Not only will they serve as the guest speakers at Festival of Seas: Gothic Tides, Ellen and Dave will also spend several days visiting Cayman Islands government schools, reaching both primary and high schoolers through in person presentation. Offering students the chance to learn from and engage directly with professional science communicators helps enhance their understanding of the ocean, marine life, weather, and impacts of climate change.
Tackling misinformation through science and laughter
While in Grand Cayman, Ellen and Dave will present, as part of CCMI’s Healthy Reefs Reef Lecture series, “Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change: Combating misinformation with science, education, and laughter” on Thursday, 29th October from 6 pm – 7 pm at Cayman Enterprise City’s auditorium at Signal House on Fairbanks Road.
Misinformation about the environment can spread quickly, from misleading headlines to claims from non-experts and cherry-picking of data. Ellen and Dave will explore how audiences can navigate the increasingly noisy information space, talking about misinformation, sharing some of their favourite questions and answers from their recently released book, and discussing the importance of public engagement and coupling research with education, conservation, and management. This event is free to attend; advance registration is requested: https://donate.reefresearch.org/Reeflectureoct2026
Equipping Cayman with tools to communication about the environment
CCMI’s CEO Kate Holden will also lead the interactive Marine Sustainability & Environmental Communications workshop on Tuesday, 27th October from 4 pm – 6:30 pm also hosted at Cayman Enterprise City’s Plexy’s Auditorium. The workshops will explore how marine sustainability issues can be communicated in ways that help people understand environmental challenges, develop a sense of connection and concern, and feel able to respond.
This free workshop builds on Kate’s PhD research into how video and social media content can contribute to engaging people in ocean-related issues to improve stewardship. This workshop will give environmental NGOs, corporations, tourism-related businesses, and individuals who want a foregrounding in how to better communicate both environmental issues (and solutions), as well as company ESG commitments. Seating at this free workshop is limited; advance registration is required: https://donate.reefresearch.org/commsworkshop.
From connection to action
For CCMI, community outreach is an essential part of our mission to protect marine biodiversity for the future. Scientific research can help us understand what is happening in our ocean, but we know that emotional connection to the ocean and its inhabitants is a proven method of engaging people to take better care of the environment. To get people involved in conservation efforts requires people to understand why changes to the ocean matter and how each person can play a role in protecting these valuable habitats.
“The research side of what we do at CCMI is important, but that’s not the end of our work. We know that to better grow our impact as an organisation and help create real change for the ocean and coral reefs, one of the most important things we can do is to help as many people as possible to connect directly with the ocean and feel empowered to make a difference,” said Ms Holden. “By sharing good information, people can understand the challenges facing the environment and see how their choices, both big and small, matter. Individual actions may feel like they don’t do much, but when a whole community commits to change, the collective impact can be significant.”
This annual outreach effort is part of CCMI’s approach to growing their impact for the ocean; by combining research, education, and outreach, the organisation is increasing ocean literacy in the Cayman Islands and inspiring more stewardship efforts to protect local marine ecosystems.
“We want these events to be fun, accessible, and informative while also ensuring that people leave with new ideas and tools they can use in their daily lives,” said Ms Holden. “Whether it means asking a different question about something they see online, changing a behaviour at home, talking to their family about the ocean, or finding a new way to contribute to ocean-positive action, we know that everyone can contribute to protecting our ocean for the future.”
Festival of Seas: Gothic Tides
At the heart of this year’s community outreach effort this month is CCMI’s annual fundraising gala, Festival of Seas: Gothic Tides. This Halloween will be an evening where candlelight, mystery, and dramatic energy meet urgent action for the future of the ocean. Ocean enthusiasts will gather to hear the latest updates on CCMI’s efforts and hear from Dr Ellen Prager and Dave Jones as they share their expertise and stories. Join us as we confront the rising tide of threats to the ocean, create meaningful impact for the Cayman community, and work together to ensure Cayman’s vibrant coral reefs endure for generations to come. Limited tickets are still available for the gala; for more information: http://reefresearch.org/festival-of-seas/ or make a reservation by emailing events@reefresearch.org
Join CCMI for these events
The public workshop and reef lecture are both free to attend. As space is limited for each event, advance registration is requested:
WORKSHOP: Marine Sustainability & Environmental Communications
WHEN: Tuesday, 27th October; 4 pm – 6:30 pm
WHERE: Signal House, Cayman Enterprise City (Plexy’s Auditorium)
COST: Free
REGISTER: https://donate.reefresearch.org/commsworkshop
REEF LECTURE: Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change: Combating misinformation with science, education, and laughter (Dr Ellen Prager and Dave Jones)
WHEN: Thursday, 29th October, 6 pm – 7 pm
WHERE: Signal House, Cayman Enterprise City (Plexy’s Auditorium)
COST: Free
REGISTER: https://donate.reefresearch.org/Reeflectureoct2026
The reef lecture is made possible thanks to the support of the 2026 Healthy Reefs sponsors: Wheaton Precious Metals International, Foster’s Supermarket, The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Cayman Water, and Ugland Properties. CCMI thanks Cayman Enterprise City for providing the venue and hosting both public outreach events.
GALA: Festival of Seas: Gothic Tides
WHEN: Saturday, 31 October; 6:30 pm -11:45 pm
WHERE: Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman
COST: Individual tickets: CI $325 ea; table of 10: CI $3,250 (1 remaining)
RESERVE TICKETS: events@reefresearch.org