The foundation, in a news release on the weekend, pointed out that for the last 11 years its “carefully integrated approach, which involves the active participation of Sandals and Beaches Resort team members, communities, guests, travel agents, donors and partners, has led to substantial improvements in the Caribbean's marine and terrestrial conservation efforts”.

Additionally, in partnership with the Coral Restoration Foundation and CLEAR Caribbean, Sandals Foundation has established three coral nurseries in Jamaica and two in St Lucia to grow and plant thousands of pieces of coral to help restore local reefs, sequester carbon, restore fish populations and protect shorelines.

Partnering with marine invasive species experts from The University of the West Indies, Sandals Foundation has hosted workshops in Jamaica, Grenada, St Lucia and The Bahamas to engage local stakeholders, raise awareness and develop their capacity to properly handle lionfish.

These include the Mangrove Restoration for Climate Resilience programme, which works across the region to replant mangrove forests and strengthen key coastal defence mechanisms; sustainable solid waste management initiatives which have seen more than 60,000 pounds of solid waste being collected across the seven islands where Sandals Foundation works; and partnerships with various forestry and conservation organisations across the region resulting in the planting of over 14,000 trees across the Caribbean.

“With the help of resort guests, team members, partners and donors, we are working to protect the marine and terrestrial environment while sustainably maintaining the livelihoods of the hundreds of thousands of Caribbean nationals who depend on the region's natural ecosystems to make a living,” the foundation added.