Conservation programs since 2005

In keeping with our financial support of early-stage conservation programs, we are now funding a groundbreaking research trial that tests the ability of long-spined sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) to galvanize coral reef restoration. 

Here’s the background: tiny coral embryos float in the ocean before dropping to the ocean floor. In the right conditions, they settle and grow into polyps; multiple polyps form a coral colony, and connected colonies become reefs. But algae, which grows rapidly in warmer ocean temperatures, can prevent coral settlement and hinder natural reef development. 

What could save the day? One possibility is the spiny sea urchin, which eats algae. The theory is that introducing mature urchins to the sea floor could eliminate the algae and lead to stronger, growing reefs. Backed by our funding, two organizations – Saving the Blue and Sustainable Oceans and Reefs – will establish The Bahamas’ first-ever sea urchin nursery and then actively place the urchins along the reefs. 

When a dolphin or manatee is in distress, it may become disoriented and strand itself in shallow water or on land. When it does, a highly trained team of experts mobilizes to help. When someone discovers such an animal, they know to alert Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation. A call then goes out to Atlantis’ Stranding Response Team, which races to the scene and triages the animal. If it needs significant medical care, it is transported to Atlantis’ Dolphin Cay, a 14-acre marine mammal facility with an animal hospital, on-site laboratory, pharmacy, and surgical suite. There, a highly trained team of veterinary experts care for the animal around the clock. 

We are a primary funding source for The Bahamas Stranding Network and together, Atlantis and the foundation cover the costs of transport (boat and/or truck), equipment, supplies, medicines, bloodwork and other tests, and food and nutritional supplements.

Located on the island of Andros, approximately 50 miles southwest of Nassau, West Side National Park is an ecological gem that supports countless marine life with its significant wetlands, uplands, and mangroves. The park was established in 2002 with 185,000 acres.

The Bahamas Minister of the Environment officially announced an expansion of Andros West Side National Park to 1.4 million acres (roughly 80 miles long and 25 miles wide) on May 12, 2012. The expansion was a collaborative effort involving The Nature Conservancy, the Bahamas National Trust, and the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation to bolster conservation efforts, ensuring the protection of vital habitats and the sustainability of local fisheries. The park reflects a commitment to preserving the natural heritage of Andros Island and benefits both the environment and the local communities that rely on these natural resources.

Today, the park remains one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in the Western Atlantic and safeguards a diverse array of ecosystems, including tidal creeks, coastal mangrove forests, and extensive marine habitats. These environments are crucial for numerous species, such as the endangered smalltooth sawfish, Andros rock iguana, West Indian flamingo, various sea turtle species, and economically important marine life like conch, lobster, and bonefish.

The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), a uniquely shaped ray often mistaken for a shark, is on the verge of extinction. Once found up and down the southeastern coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico, its population has declined so dramatically that it’s now only found in The Bahamas and the Florida Keys. 

Conservationists and field technicians at Saving the Blue have initiated various efforts to protect the smalltoothed sawfish, including non-invasive techniques like aerial surveys, side-scan sonar, and Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVs). Such methods allow researchers to monitor sawfish populations and movements, and help delineate critical habitats, particularly nursery grounds vital for the species' recovery. ​To create the next generation of sawfish stewards, they have developed books, curriculum, and educational materials and have led fun workshops and school visits. 

In the past, we have funded similar educational and outreach programs with partners Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and The Bahamas National Trust.

They’ve journeyed around the planet for more than 100 million years and yet, today, all seven sea turtle species are endangered and protected by the government of The Bahamas. To fight against the many threats sea turtles face each day, we support the Atlantis Sea Keeper Team, which closely monitors the beaches and protects sea turtle nests. The Sea Keepers have successfully bred, rescued, rehabilitated, and released more than 7,500 sea turtles.

For more than 15 years, we’ve also sponsored the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s annual Tour de Turtles, a fun science and education program that uses satellite telemetry to track the three-month migration of a group of sea turtles from the time they finish laying their eggs to their arrival in their northern foraging grounds.

At Atlantis Paradise Island, coral reef nurseries play a vital role in restoring and protecting The Bahamas' fragile marine ecosystems. These underwater nurseries are designed to grow threatened coral species that have suffered from climate change, disease, and human impact. Coral fragments are carefully cultivated on specialized structures, allowing them to grow in a controlled environment before being transplanted onto damaged reef areas. This hands-on conservation approach helps rebuild coral populations, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen reef resilience.

Led by renowned coral reef scientist Dr. Craig Dahlgren of the Perry Institute for Marine Science, many organizations participate in the effort, including Atlantis’ Marine Life Team, The Bahamas National Trust, and The Nature Conservancy,