White River Fish Sanctuary Adopt a Coral Jamaica

Jamaica's coral reefs were once dominated by thriving populations of staghorn and elkhorn corals, two essential reef-building species that provide shelter for marine life, support local fisheries and help protect our coastlines. Over the past several decades, however, these ecosystems have experienced significant decline.

Coral disease, overfishing, pollution and rising ocean temperatures have all contributed to the deterioration of our reefs. The loss of herbivorous fish and sea urchins, which naturally control algae, has allowed algae to compete with corals for space, making reef recovery increasingly difficult. More recently, severe marine heatwaves and bleaching events, including the devastating bleaching experienced in 2023–2024, have caused further coral mortality, placing already endangered species under even greater pressure.

Despite these challenges, some coral colonies have survived, offering hope for the future of Jamaica's reefs.

At White River Fish Sanctuary (WRFS), we are working to protect and propagate these surviving corals. By identifying and documenting survivor colonies across Jamaica, we can carefully select coral fragments for propagation in our underwater nurseries, where they are maintained and monitored before being outplanted onto suitable restoration sites.

Through our Adopt a Coral Jamaica project, we aim to raise the funds needed to expand the capacity of our coral nurseries and increase the number of endangered staghorn and elkhorn corals we can propagate, maintain and eventually outplant.

Our initial fundraising goal is to support 10 coral nursery trees capable of holding approximately 1,000 coral fragments over a nine-month growing and maintenance period. Donations will help fund essential nursery materials, coral propagation, restoration dives, ongoing maintenance and outplanting operations.

While this GlobalGiving project is still in its early fundraising stage, WRFS continues to carry out coral restoration work through its existing operations and partnerships. With additional financial support, we hope to build on this foundation, expand our restoration capacity and return more healthy corals to Jamaica's reefs.

Restoring coral reefs is a long-term commitment, but every surviving colony represents an opportunity to rebuild what has been lost.

Through Adopt a Coral Jamaica, we invite supporters to become part of that recovery, helping us grow the next generation of reef-building corals and contribute to healthier marine ecosystems for years to come.