NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Parrotfish, sea urchins, sponges and coral are flourishing in the crystal-clear waters off the $3.5 billion Baha Mar resort, as the luxury destination has completed the installation of more than 300 eco-coral antlers to enhance its artificial reef experience.
Steps to encourage coral and marine life at Baha Mar began in April 2014, when Baha Mar's environmental team began the installation of coral antlers and 48 reef balls on the seabed. The installation wrapped up in mid-July, when the final coral antlers were placed.
The endangered staghorn coral in particular will be fostered in waters near Baha Mar, when a new coral nursery is introduced. The nursery is part of The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Bahamas Coral Conservation project, which is expanding coral nurseries and restoring reefs in waters surrounding New Providence, Bahamas. Baha Mar recently made a donation to the project which has a goal to plant one billion corals globally by 2025.
According to TNC there has been a reported 90 percent decline in critically endangered coral species over the last 30 years. Director of TNC's Northern Caribbean program, Eleanor Phillips said The Bahamas relies on a healthy marine environment for the survival and livelihoods of thousands.
"Coral reefs are habitats for many fish species and healthier reefs mean healthier fisheries," Phillips said. "Tourists come here for our environment - they come here to dive; they come here to see our beautiful country. We want to do our part to restore some of the reefs and improve the habitats."

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