Megalodons and mermaids featured in reefs lecture

The Central Caribbean Marine Institute will continue its outreach work to educate and inform the public about the health of the ocean’s reefs with some engaging events this month.

The institute will hold a series of free public events and school presentations in October, “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,” CCMI said in a press release.

Guest speakers

Following on from last year’s presentations by professional science communicators Uli Kunz and the late Doug Allan to more than a 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, the institute has invited marine scientist Ellen Prager and meteorologist Dave Jones to deliver their “unique combination of science, storytelling and humour to classrooms and lecture halls across the island.”

Both will be guest speakers at “Festival of Seas: Gothic Tides” and will also spend several days visiting government schools. The institute noted that, while in Grand Cayman, Prager and Jones 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 29 Oct. from 6-7pm 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,” CCMI said. “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 talk is based on Prager and Jones’ book, “Megalodons, Mermaids and Climate Change: Answers to Your Ocean and Atmosphere Questions.”

The event is free to attend, although advance registration is requested. To register, visit donate.reefresearch.org/Reeflectureoct2026.

Workshops

CCMI’s CEO Kate Holden will also lead an interactive marine sustainability and environmental communications workshop on 27 Oct. from 4-6.30pm, also hosted at Cayman Enterprise City’s Plexy’s Auditorium. These 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 Holden’s PhD research into how video and social media content can contribute to engaging people in ocean-related issues.

CCMI noted that the 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, and advance registration is required at donate.reefresearch.org/commsworkshop.

CCMI says community outreach is an essential part of its mission to protect marine biodiversity for the future. “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,” it said.

“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 Holden.

She added that CCMI wants its annual outreach 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.”

Festival of Seas: Gothic Tides

CCMI’s annual fundraising gala, “Festival of Seas: Gothic Tides” will be held at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman on Halloween night, 31 Oct. and is set to be “an evening where candlelight, mystery and dramatic energy meet urgent action for the future of the ocean”, the institute said.

Limited tickets, at $325, are still available for the gala. To make a reservation, reefresearch.org/festival-of-seas or email events@reefresearch.org.