Research Activities

The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA)

The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Program is an international collaboration of scientists and managers aimed at determining the regional condition of reefs in the Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The rapid assessment protocol was a one-time assessment to evaluate the condition of a reef taking into account the dynamic relationship between corals, algae and fishes.

image of Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment

Jamaica Coral Reef Monitoring Network (JCRMN)

On June 27, 2003, the local arm of GCRMN, Jamaica Coral Reef Monitoring Network (JCRMN) was launched by the CCDC. The aim of the JCRMN is to coordinate the monitoring of coral reefs and associated ecosystems in Jamaica and to improve the availability of data and information on the status of coral reefs.

Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity (CARICOMP) Program

The CCDC archives data for CARICOMP from institutions throughout the Wider Caribbean that have been collecting since 1993.

Coral Diseases

Diseases of corals and other organisms are having significant negative impacts on the structure and appearance of coral reefs. The incidences of coral diseases and bleaching are strongly believed to be increasing.

The Integrating Watershed and Coastal Areas Management (IWCAM) Project

The Integrating Watershed and Coastal Areas Management (IWCAM) Project in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) commenced in 2005 and included thirteen (13) participating SIDS. The main implementing agencies for this GEF (Global Environment Facility) project were the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)

The CCDC acts as the coordinator of the Northern Caribbean and Atlantic Node of the GCRMN and encourages increased coral reef monitoring and reporting on the status of reefs in the eight countries that fall within the node: The Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Reef Check

REEF CHECK was adopted as one of the monitoring techniques that could provide assessments of the coral reefs around the island. The CCDC was able to utilize marine scientists and recreational divers from the UWI and JCRMN to carry out the monitoring.

Coastal Water Quality Improvement Project (CWIP)

The Coastal Water Quality Improvement Project (CWIP) was a 6-year bilateral development initiative between the Government of Jamaica (through the National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA - the then NRCA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) designed to protect and improve the environmental quality of the country's coastal waters.

Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change (CPACC) Project

The Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change (CPACC) Project began in 1998 and sought to assist Caribbean countries to prepare for and cope with the adverse effects of global climate change.

Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Project

The CCDC, under a MOU with the MACC Project, coordinated the expansion of the CPACC coral reef monitoring programme to the OECS and Tobago. Technical support was provided in the form of training, supervised monitoring, data processing & analysis and report preparation. Sixteen participants from 7 countries were trained during the period September 10-13, 2007 in St Lucia.