The Bahamas (June 1, 2026) – The Sandals Foundation, Georgia Aquarium, and Bahamian environmental nonprofit, Friends of the Environment, have concluded a week-long shark education initiative designed to strengthen marine conservation awareness among students, fishers, environmental stakeholders, tourism team members, and community residents in Abaco and Nassau.

Through a series of training workshops, school outreach sessions, and community engagements, participants explored the vital role sharks play in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and the direct connection between ocean health, livelihoods, biodiversity, tourism, and the long-term resilience of island communities.

“Healthy shark populations are a strong indicator of healthy oceans,” said Lindsay Patterson, manager of ocean literacy and community outreach at Georgia Aquarium. “Often misunderstood, sharks play an essential role in maintaining balanced marine ecosystems that support livelihoods, food security, tourism, and biodiversity in island nations like The Bahamas. By deepening public understanding of their role in ocean health, we can inspire stronger conservation action and help build more resilient coastal communities across the region.”

Building on successful shark education programs in Jamaica and Saint Lucia, the partnership continues to expand conservation awareness across Caribbean communities by equipping people with the knowledge to better understand and protect one of the ocean’s most vital species.

“Healthy shark populations are a strong indicator of healthy oceans, which is why education around their role in marine ecosystems is so important,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. “At the Sandals Foundation, our environmental work is rooted in helping Caribbean communities better understand, value, and protect the natural resources that sustain them. This initiative helps build that understanding among the very people most connected to our coastal environments, creating stronger advocates for conservation across the region.”

In Abaco, 10 environmental and community stakeholders participated in a Train-the-Trainer workshop focused on shark education and conservation. They were equipped with the knowledge and resources to continue outreach within their own networks, with the goal of reaching at least 100 additional people by December 2026.

School outreach activities in Fox Town and Coopers Town also engaged 40 students in conversations about marine life, ocean health, and conservation, while community sessions with fishers and residents created opportunities for practical learning and shared stewardship.

In Nassau, 15 Sandals Royal Bahamian team members and technical stakeholders participated in sensitization sessions focused on shark awareness and marine ecosystem health.

Georgia Aquarium, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a nonprofit organization and the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of oceans and aquatic animals worldwide. Friends of the Environment, a leading Bahamian environmental organization, brought critical local conservation knowledge and community expertise to the initiative.

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