Stream2Sea Joins Forces with Reef Rescue, PADI Worldwide, and Bahamas Air to Launch Coral is Calling
Coral is Calling—win a chance to dive in and make a difference in the Bahamas.
“My first open water dives as a kid were in the Bahamas, and coral preservation and restoration is near and dear to my heart. It’s wonderful to be part of a promotion like Coral is Calling Joining forces with our partners and the Bahamian government significantly increases awareness of the need to protect and restore our coral reefs, both for the creatures who live on them and the humans who depend upon them for their livelihoods.” Autumn Blum, founder and formulator at Stream2Sea to protect and restore coral reefs
Reef Renewal USA has Coral Nurseries in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas
Like coral reefs around the world, the spectacular reefs of the Bahama Islands have been impacted by climate change, disease, and pollution. That’s why we’re so excited to be part of an international promotion that focuses on restoring the reefs that are so close to our home base in Florida. “Coral is Calling” was created by PADI, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Bahamasair, and the Reef Rescue Network to focus attention on the need for restoring Bahamian coral reefs. Divers can enter a contest to win one of three trips to the Bahamas (valued at more than $10,000) to explore and restore this critically important habitat.
“Coral is Calling” was created by PADI, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Bahamasair and the Reef Rescue Network to focus attention on the need for restoring Bahamian coral reefs.
Stream2Sea’s Reef-Safer™ sunscreens and body care products play an essential role in protecting nearly every aquatic ecosystem. Petrochemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone, are toxic to coral reefs and the myriad of creatures they sustain – which also impacts humans living along tropical coastlines who depend upon healthy habitats for their livelihoods.
To reverse coral reef losses, multiple strategies have been developed by scientists, conservation practitioners, and managers, including the protection of healthy habitats and reducing environmental threats like enhanced pollution control at the local level. Scientists have also discovered that coral reefs can be rehabilitated by restoring coral populations.
In the wild, coral grows very slowly, and it was once thought that their sluggish growth rates would limit our ability to restore reefs. More recently, scientists have discovered that different corals grow at different rates – and that they grow much more rapidly in optimal conditions. As divers, we’re delighted to work with organizations like Reef Rescue Network – the largest coral rescue coalition in The Bahamas with nurseries on 14 islands. (We also proudly partner with Reef Renewal USA in the Florida Keys).
Both organizations are building and maintaining coral nurseries where small pieces of coral are carefully selected from the wild as healthy specimens of species that are known to grow quickly. Those small pieces – usually about the size of a twig – are hung from “trees” that are placed just below the surface of the water, where they get optimum of sunlight and nutrients. This is a labor of love, and Volunteers are needed to clean the coral and the nursery structures of algae that also thrive in those optimal conditions but block the sunlight the corals need to grow.
Coral is Calling Trip Giveaway
The Coral is Calling campaign kicks off on October 25th and runs through November 24th. Winners of the “Coral is Calling” promotion will help fill that critical need for coral restoration and enjoy prizes beginning with one of three 5-day/4-night trips for two to different Bahamian islands including:
- Luxury accommodations in either Andros, Bimini, or Grand Bahama
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Two-day stay in Nassau at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
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One roundtrip flight from any gateway city to Nassau, courtesy of Bahamasair
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Flights between Nassau to either Andros, Bimini, or Grand Bahama
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PADI-branded gear, including 15L drybag, travel towel, and trucker hat
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SeaLife SportDiver and Micro 3.0 camera
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Steam2Sea “Day at the Reef” Giftbag
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World Nomads travel insurance
Like destinations including Palau, Bonaire and Hawaii, the Bahamian government encourages the use of non-nano mineral sunscreen, recognizing that it is an important way to protect its coral reefs. Stream2Sea – the only company in the world that has tested its sunscreens on fresh and saltwater fish and vulnerable coral larva to prove that it is safe – is delighted to be part of their efforts.