Tobago Cays Marine Park, St Vincent and the Grenadines
The world-famous Tobago Cays Marine Park is one of several target sites in the TREBAI project where actively restoring coral reefs and reducing pollution from yachts are key objectives.
Targeted Ridge-to-Reef Ecosystem-based Adaption Interventions in St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines (TREBAI)
The Caribbean’s small island nations sit on the front line of climate change. Rising sea temperatures, intensifying marine heatwaves, stronger storms and erratic rainfall are damaging the coral reefs and farmland that coastal communities depend on for food, income and protection. The 2024 global coral bleaching event – the most extensive ever recorded – caused widespread coral mortality across reefs surrounding both Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
TREBAI is a 3-year community-driven response, led by CLEAR Caribbean alongside the Richmond Vale Academy and We Are Mayreau Inc.. The project scales up proven Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) work from two earlier initiatives to tackle these threats impacting the livelihoods, food security and economic sustainability of these small islands developing states.
The project is funded by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund‘s EbA Facility supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and KfW. The project carries a total value of US$3.31 million, with US$2.92 million provided by the EbA Facility and the balance secured through co-financing and in-kind contributions from partners including the Sandals Foundation, TradeWinds Charters, Richmond Vale Academy, We Are Mayreau Inc. and Creative Marine Solutions Ltd.
Restoring resilient reefs
Following the devastating bleaching of recent years, TREBAI focuses on the coral survivors – genotypes with greater thermal tolerance. The project will map resilient wild colonies, establish national coral gene bank nurseries, and propagate and outplant a minimum of 30,000 corals across three sites, including two world-famous marine protected areas: the Soufrière Marine Management Area and the Tobago Cays Marine Park. At least 40 community coral gardeners will be trained and supported, with many gaining the Caribbean Vocational Qualification in Coral Restoration. Hybrid reefs – comprising man-made structures with outplanted corals – will also be established as part of this initiative.
Community coral gardeners at work underwater, tending nursery trees or outplanting resilient coral fragments.
A close-up of healthy, thermally tolerant coral colonies (such as Acropora palmata) being propagated for restoration.
Climate-smart farming from ridge to reef
TREBAI will support 160 small farms and home gardens – in watersheds above coral reefs – using permaculture, organic and regenerative methods that rebuild soil health, improve water management, cut harmful chemical use and reduce the pollution and sedimentation that harm corals downstream. Demonstration farms in ten schools will pass these practices to the next generation.
A small-scale farmer in a climate-smart plot, surrounded by composting, mulching or agroforestry in action to produce healthy, fertile and resilient soils.
Building lasting change
A central innovation is the Windward Islands Coral Restoration Alliance (WICRA), a regional network linking practitioners, civil society and private-sector partners such as the Sandals Foundation, TradeWinds Charters and UK Friends of Mustique. Through tourism-linked financing, “adopt-a-reef” programmes and new pollution-prevention technology for yachts called Blue Valve, TREBAI is designed to sustain its impact long after the project ends – turning trained coral gardeners and farmers into certified EbA professionals and local champions of climate resilience.
Community workshop in St Vincent for the launch of TREBAI bringing together an alliance of coral gardeners, farmers, government officials, scientists and private sector partners
By weaving together traditional knowledge, the best available science and genuine community leadership, TREBAI strengthens food security, restores biodiversity and helps two vulnerable island nations adapt to an uncertain climate future.
