Little Cayman, Cayman Islands; 17^th February 2026: Eight years since the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) launched their innovative flagship education programme Reefs Go Live, the programme now reaches over 10,000 students and citizen scientists in more than 38 countries worldwide per episode. Reefs Go Live streams directly from underwater on the coral reefs in Little Cayman to classrooms around the world in real time, bringing the beauty and intrigue of Cayman’s reefs to viewers no matter where they are located. 

The launch of the 2026 Reefs Go Live season comes just months after CCMI commits to supporting scholarships for the entire Year 6 cohort of students in Cayman Islands government schools to attend the Marine Ecology Course at CCMI this fall. Reefs Go Live supplements and supports both classroom and in situ learning through immersive learning methods. By providing this foundational experience via both in person and virtual learning, CCMI is shaping the next generation of informed, passionate young people who will become community and business leaders as well as the decision-makers in the Cayman Islands and further afield. Reefs Go Live immerses viewers in the captivating and resilient underwater world of Little Cayman, combining marine science education with conservation messaging to inform and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards around the globe. 

Coral reefs are essential ecosystems that directly support one billion people around the world. Globally, coral reefs are suffering under extreme conditions; rising sea temperatures, coral disease, and pollution are having severe consequences for marine biodiversity and the health of vital ocean ecosystems. Despite these threats, CCMI’s recent monitoring reveals that coral reefs in Little Cayman may be showing early signs of recovery and adaptation following severe declines after the 2023 global marine heatwave. 

Protecting coral reefs begins with knowing them, and that is exactly what Reefs Go Live aims to do. Virtual dive buddies can jump under the waves and interact with this fragile marine environment, learning how their actions can shape the outcome of coral reefs for future generations. Little Cayman’s reefs inspire hope at a time when climate communications feel overwhelming and the climate crisis feels too daunting to tackle. Reefs Go Live endeavours to provide a message of optimism to viewers around the world, demonstrating that with the right protections, research, and action, coral reefs have the capacity to adapt and show signs of recovery through climate change, just as we are seeing in Little Cayman. 

The 2026 broadcasts will showcase the value of coral reefs in the world we live and highlight the importance of conservation, research, and the work that CCMI is doing to conserve these essential ecosystems at such a critical time in their history. 

CCMI’s CEO, Kate Holden, is excited to launch the ninth year of Reefs Go Live: 

“This Reefs Go Live season is informed by our most up-to-date and timely research that investigates coral reefs’ resilience and adaptation to climate change. These results are integrated with key education points, combining aspects of the science curriculum with focussed marine science and conservation learning objectives. Showcasing Little Cayman’s reefs and the optimism they provide for coral reefs everywhere is a powerful message that hope for these ecosystems is not lost despite pressures they face. Most importantly, Reefs Go Live connects students to the ocean in a real-time and incredibly visual way. The visuals are stunning. Improving societal connection to coral reefs is proven as key to driving pro-environmental behaviour, and we know this programme is impactful. CCMI looks forward to bringing the classroom to students all over the globe, live from the unique ecosystem of Little Cayman’s marine world.”

The first episode of 2026 will take place on Friday, 20^st March at 10 am Cayman time (UTC -5h). The episode, ‘Why is Everything so Colourful?’ will focus on the incredible diversity of life on coral reefs and how this is crucial for climate resilience. 

Viewers of each episode will be able to ask questions of the diver and participate in polls through the online platform to make Reefs Go Live an interactive experience.

Additional episodes for this year will run at 10 am (UTC -5h) on the following dates:

Friday, 10^th April: Superheroes of the Caribbean Reef

Friday, 8^th May: From Ridge to Reef

Friday, 5^th June (World Ocean Day): Coral Reefs and Us: Our Island Guardians 

Registration for Reefs Go Live is free and is only required once to receive access to all episodes: https://donate.reefresearch.org/rgl2026.

Reefs Go Live provides an opportunity for students from all over the world to engage with the stunning ocean environment in its most natural format. As coral reefs around the world face unprecedented pressure, generating increased engagement with these precious ecosystems creates an opportunity to promote marine sustainability in a positive and fun way. Reefs Go Live is a free education programme that is made possible by the generosity of The Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation.

ENDS

ABOUT REEFS GO LIVES

Reefs Go Live utilises streaming technology with underwater video and audio equipment to enable real time broadcasting from Little Cayman’s stunning coral reefs. Little Cayman, a UNESCO World Heritage Site finalist, hosts some of the most biodiverse reef ecosystems in the Caribbean, which show promising signs of resiliency to climate change impacts. The broadcasts and education materials draw connections from CCMI’s current research conducted in Little Cayman to the national science curriculum and key ocean literacy principles, making CCMI’s work relevant and accessible to students and viewers of all ages, and emphasising the relationship that we all have to coral reefs, no matter where we are.

To register for the broadcasts and free teaching resources, please visit:  

https://donate.reefresearch.org/rgl2026

Watch the season launch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgw7SLRNz4Q and find out more about Reefs Go Live on our website: https://reefresearch.org/our-work/education/reefs-go-live/. 

ABOUT CCMI

CCMI is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998 to protect the future of coral reefs, envisioning a world with vibrant oceans and healthy coral reef ecosystems. We seek to be the Caribbean’s premier marine research institute by delivering cutting edge research, transforming conservation strategy and developing education programmes of excellence – discovering and promoting real solutions to declining ocean health. Our plan is to invigorate key species and understand key ocean processes that drive reef resilience. We support early career scientists who are INNOVATING ways to improve coral reef health. We are TRANSFORMING conservation strategy and work to inspire the CHANGE that is needed to achieve our mission. CCMI are PIONEERS in the region working to reverse the declines of coral reefs.