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!
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.
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.
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
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.
Thanks to the sponsors of these beach cleanups:
- Drunk Bay: Friends of the Park
- Jumbie: St John Rotary
- Maho: Reef2Peak
- Great Cruz Bay: Cruz Bay Watersports (Thursday, October 19)
- Trunk: 340 Real Estate Co (Friday, October 20)
- Honeymoon: Caneel Bay Beach Club
- North and South Haulover: Lime Out
- Cinnamon: KATS
- Hart Bay: Lila Uzzell (Friday, October 20)
- Hawksnest: Get Trashed
- Cruz Bay: Low Key Watersports
- Brown Bay: Salty Daze
- Johnsons Bay: Coral Bay Community Council (Monday, October 16)
- Calabash Boom Beach: Dynamic Dancers (Sunday, October 22)
If you would like to sponsor or lead a clean up, please contact Willow Melamet at wmelamet@friendsvinp.org.
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
Ocean Week Gallery
