Haiti Ocean Conservancy

Haiti Ocean Conservancy The Haiti Ocean Conservancy (formerly Amiga Island Ecological Foundation) is a Haitian based non-pro Endangered Species Act as threatened with extinction.

The Haiti Ocean Conservancy or HOC (formerly Amiga Island Ecological Foundation) is a non-profit, Haitian based organization. HOC was created to protect, preserve and enhance the local environment through education, scientific research and specific, place-based restoration projects. We were founded by two Haitian brothers who believe in safeguarding critically threatened ecosystems both for their

intrinsic value as well as their incredibly vital ecosystem services. We understand that a healthy ecosystem is the underlayment of a healthy economy and happy people, both worldwide and particularly for coastal communities here in Haiti. As a project-based organization we focus on utilizing the best available science for ecological restoration, working to protect and enhance local reefs. We advocate for marine protected areas, to make sure that the natural marine resources of Haiti can be enjoyed sustainably for generation after generation. HOC advocates for and aims to facilitate equitable economic opportunities for local stakeholders, including subsistence fishers, local businesses and the communities they support. Here in Haiti, we are also working to increase educational outreach capacity, specifically regarding environmental science and the concepts of sustainability. We believe education is one of the best tools for creating positive change. We focus on increasing public awareness of marine conservation solutions. In order to protect biodiversity and promote the sustainable management of local resources, HOC works to facilitate scientific research, active restoration efforts and to organize and educate local stakeholders. The major decline of coral reefs seen throughout the Caribbean and the issues faced by coral species around the globe are in many cases even more damaging in Haiti. Take for example one of the primary reef builders: Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis). This species, which used to be one of the most common corals in the Caribbean Sea, has gone through a rapid and dramatic decline since the 1980’s. The astounding loss of Staghorn Coral has been so intense that in 2006 they were listed under the U.S. Only two years later their major decline was globally recognized by the World Conservation Union and the species was registered on the Red List as “critically endangered”. Studies estimate that over 90% of Staghorn coral has disappeared and in many cases, like here at Amiga Island, this fundamental reef builder has been almost completely wiped out. Fortunately, the Haiti Ocean Conservancy has stepped in to help. Their Coral Restoration Project focuses on actively restoring the reef through “Coral Gardening”. This method, in which corals are grown with enhanced rates in a controlled underwater nursery is a scientifically founded technique proven to help reefs recover. Tiny initial fragments of Staghorn Coral are attached to specialized structures and carefully monitored. In less than one year, our coral fragments have grown at incredible rates, some fragments nearly doubling their size in the first two months! By facilitating this type of exponential growth, the Coral Restoration Project is able to build up a large base of nursery grown corals from which to replenish the wild populations on degraded reefs. With regular monitoring and maintenance of our in-situ nursery, we can utilize our growing bank of genetically diverse corals to actively rejuvenate and restore vulnerable reefs. We believe that by restoring the lost keystone coral species can stimulate population recovery not only for coral but the commercially and environmentally valuable fish and invertebrate species which rely on healthy reefs. We hope you will help follow our journey and support our conservation and restoration efforts in Haiti. Feel free to email us directly if you have any questions, or are interested in getting involved!

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The Haiti Ocean Conservancy or HOC (formerly Amiga Island Ecological Foundation, or AIEF) is a non-profit, Haitian based organization. HOC was created to protect, preserve and enhance the local environment through education, scientific research and specific, place-based restoration projects. We were founded by two Haitian brothers who believe in safeguarding critically threatened ecosystems both for their intrinsic value as well as their incredibly vital ecosystem services. We understand that a healthy ecosystem is the underlayment of a healthy economy and happy people, both worldwide and particularly for coastal communities here in Haiti. As a project-based organization we focus on utilizing the best available science for ecological restoration, working to protect and enhance local reefs. We advocate for marine protected areas, to make sure that the natural marine resources of Haiti can be enjoyed sustainably for generation after generation. HOC advocates for and aims to facilitate equitable economic opportunities for local stakeholders, including subsistence fishers, local businesses and the communities they support. Here in Haiti, we are also working to increase educational outreach capacity, specifically regarding environmental science and the concepts of sustainability. We believe education is one of the best tools for creating positive change. We focus on increasing public awareness of marine conservation solutions. In order to protect biodiversity and promote the sustainable management of local resources, HOC works to facilitate scientific research, active restoration efforts and to organize and educate local stakeholders. The major decline of coral reefs seen throughout the Caribbean and the issues faced by coral species around the globe are in many cases even more damaging in Haiti. Take for example one of the primary reef builders: Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis). This species, which used to be one of the most common corals in the Caribbean Sea, has gone through a rapid and dramatic decline since the 1980’s. The astounding loss of Staghorn Coral has been so intense that in 2006 they were listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act as threatened with extinction. Only two years later their major decline was globally recognized by the World Conservation Union and the species was registered on the Red List as “critically endangered”. Studies estimate that over 90% of Staghorn coral has disappeared and in many cases, like here at Amiga Island, this fundamental reef builder has been almost completely wiped out. Fortunately, the Haiti Ocean Conservancy has stepped in to help. Their Coral Restoration Project focuses on actively restoring the reef through “Coral Gardening”. This method, in which corals are grown with enhanced rates in a controlled underwater nursery is a scientifically founded technique proven to help reefs recover. Tiny initial fragments of Staghorn Coral are attached to specialized structures and carefully monitored. In less than one year, our coral fragments have grown at incredible rates, some fragments nearly doubling their size in the first two months! By facilitating this type of exponential growth, the Coral Restoration Project is able to build up a large base of nursery grown corals from which to replenish the wild populations on degraded reefs. With regular monitoring and maintenance of our in-situ nursery, we can utilize our growing bank of genetically diverse corals to actively rejuvenate and restore vulnerable reefs. We believe that by restoring the lost keystone coral species can stimulate population recovery not only for coral but the commercially and environmentally valuable fish and invertebrate species which rely on healthy reefs. We hope you will help follow our journey and support our conservation and restoration efforts in Haiti. Feel free to email us directly if you have any questions, or are interested in getting involved!