Ocean Week

Ocean Week logo

Let’s protect our ocean, marine life, and coral reefs together! OCEAN WEEK ON ST. JOHN is October 16 to 22, 2023 and includes beach cleanups and seminars.

Inspired by International Coastal Cleanup Day we join millions around the world because every bottle, every straw, every piece of trash we clean up can lead to a cleaner, healthier ocean.

Thank you for getting involved, learning about the marine world, and helping keep our beaches and coastline clean!

Yellowtail Parrotfish

Sedimentation Impacts on Yellowtail Parrotfish

Recorded October 17, 2023 | Virtual Seminar

Parrotfishes function as important regulators of marine algae in Caribbean coral reef systems through their feeding activity. This presentation examines the influence of sedimentation on the feeding and spawning behavior of Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) in the Virgin Islands National Park. Presented by Dr. Rick Nemeth, PhD, UVI.

m brandt epscor coral

Rescue to Reef

Recorded October 19, 2023 | Virtual Seminar

Rescue to Reef: A Novel Partnership for Coral Restoration in the U.S. Virgin Island. Presented by Dr. Marilyn Brandt, Research Associate Professor Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, this presentation will discuss the current state of U.S. Virgin Islands reefs, and how a novel partnership between Reef Response and Lovango Resort and Beach Club is working to protect and restore local coral reef resources.

Mangrove

Mangroves Matter

Recorded October 20, 2023 | Virtual Seminar

Mangroves Matter: A Spotlight on Mangrove Initiatives in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This talk covers what mangroves are, their global and local ecosystem services to us, what we are doing for our USVI mangroves, and why you should think mangroves are AMAZING (if you don't already). Presented by Lila Uzzell, Masters of Marine and Environmental Science (MMES) program, UVI

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle Research in the USVI

Recorded October 16, 2023 | Virtual Seminar

Learn about the sea turtle species and research being conducted in the USVI including the importance of monitoring nest populations, sand temperature, and genetic sampling. Presented by Katie Ayres, former VINP Sea Turtle Program Co-Coordinator.  

 

beach cleanups

Thanks to the sponsors of these beach cleanups:

If you would like to sponsor or lead a clean up, please contact Willow Melamet at wmelamet@friendsvinp.org.

GHS Fourth Graders doing trash pick up at Trunk for Ocean Week 2021.

Classroom Opportunities

Educators interested in marine education and coastal cleanup classes or trips to the park, should please contact Taylor White at twhite@friendsvinp.org

 

"I hope for your help to explore and protect the wild ocean in ways that will restore the health and, in so doing, secure hope for humankind. Health to the ocean means health for us." - Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer

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