ReefQUEST: The State of Caribbean Reefs – Science, Sovereignty & Survival

Across the Caribbean, coral reefs that were once vibrant strongholds of biodiversity are now among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Jamaica alone has lost over 80 percent of its coral reefs, transforming living coastlines into degraded algal fields. These losses threaten food security, tourism, coastal protection, and cultural identity, leaving many communities on the front lines of ecological and economic collapse.

ReefQUEST (Quantify, Understanding, Equity, Science and Training) is a UK–Caribbean initiative founded by marine biologist Georgina Harley-Smith, a descendant of the Windrush generation. ReefQUEST builds on the legacy of Caribbean knowledge, resilience, and scientific contribution, while calling attention to the historical and ongoing inequalities that shape environmental outcomes.

This evening will explore the science, politics, and sovereignty of the Caribbean Sea. Presentations and discussions will reveal how algae, fish, and coral dynamics expose deeper stories about exploitation, dependence, and survival. Topics will include how rising sea temperatures and intensifying storms, such as Hurricane Beryl (2024) and Hurricane Melissa (2025), are reshaping marine ecosystems, and how nations like Jamaica are paying the highest price for a crisis caused largely by industrialised economies.

The programme will also address global accountability, urging governments and corporations, including major oil producers, to contribute more to restoration and climate adaptation in regions they have long profited from.

A special raffle will be held to raise funds for communities in Jamaica most affected by recent storms and reef degradation.

This event is a call for renewed partnership between the UK and the Caribbean, grounded in fairness, scientific equity, and respect for national sovereignty.

Discussion Themes

• Macroalgal dominance, herbivore biomass, and reef resilience
• The economic and cultural costs of reef loss for Caribbean nations
• Global accountability — the role of Western nations and corporate practices
• Decolonising marine science: equity, authorship, and data sovereignty
• Women of colour in STEM and the need for inclusive scientific leadership