Insights into Ocean Cay and the Super Coral Programme: an interview with Andrew Brett, Managing Director of the Island

Focus Area: Environmental Conservation, Marine Protection

Welcome to our exclusive interview with Andrew Brett, Managing Director of MSC Ocean Cay – Marine Reserve. Together, we explored the transformative work of the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Programme, both in its impact on local communities and within the MSC Group’s broader mission of environmental sustainability. Join us in an illuminating conversation at the intersection of tourism, marine conservation and community engagement to discover how the Super Coral Programme is contributing to the future of The Bahamas.

Could you share a memorable personal moment from your involvement in the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Programme on Ocean Cay?

My first dive down to our replanted coral reefs in the summer of 2021 was an eye-opening experience, witnessing the growth of the tagged coral varieties first planted before COVID-19. Another memorable moment was diving with Owen, the Super Coral Marine Research Programme Manager, and tying a small branch of Elkhorn coral onto our first coral nursery trees. Witnessing the enthusiasm and devotion of our team members after a successful nursery dive was incredibly inspiring.

How have you seen the Super Coral Programme develop on Ocean Cay since its inception, from planting the first coral to recent dives to observe progress?

We’ve made enormous progress with the arrival of Marine Biologist Dr Owen O’Shea. He’s overseen everything from the development and expansion of our coral nursery to the start of building work on our Marine Conservation Centre, and the active involvement of university postgraduate students. It’s been a pleasure to be part of the Foundation's growth and see the island community embrace and actively participate in the Foundation's goals and programmes. This collective involvement and togetherness is an aspect I am particularly proud of.

How do you see Ocean Cay's development and the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Programme shaping the future of the island communities of our host nation, The Bahamas? What are the perceived benefits of the programme to our island neighbours?

Our plan for developing the island and its services aims to meet growing demand driven by people’s strong desire to travel to The Bahamas and Ocean Cay. The itinerary is always a core factor in any consumer decision to book a cruise, and almost every MSC Cruise ship departing the US visits Ocean Cay, making it a significant driver of choice. Ocean Cay is a designated Mission Blue Hope Spot that offers 1.5 miles of beautiful beaches, diverse tours, food and beverage services, lifeguarding, transportation, technical and landscaping infrastructure. This all plays a crucial role in our collaboration with the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Programme.

We don’t see ourselves as two entities but one, working and living on our isolated island as a community. Our team is focused on delivering fantastic experiences while educating guests about our commitment to the environment, both above and below the water. Therefore we are not just a holiday destination that delivers vacation dreams to our cruise guests, but also an official Hope Spot, a place recognised as critical to ocean health that gives back to the Caribbean seas which surround and nourish us.

The Super Coral Programme’s goals to protect and preserve our marine habitat align perfectly with educating and inspiring all our island team members, both Bahamian and from further afield.

Our Super Coral Programme is gaining recognition among our neighbouring cays and islands, from Bimini to the wider Bahamian Family Islands, as our team members share its progress with family and friends. This positive feedback has been evident during employment open days in Nassau, where potential Bahamian team members are drawn to work with us on Ocean Cay. This collective sharing, engagement and witnessing of the Foundation's progress will continue to shape the programme's future.

Our mission to develop and protect our island's fauna and flora has also led to positive engagement with the Bahamian government at all levels. Local Government administrations such as the Bahamian Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) and even the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Prime Minister, the Hon. Mr Philip Davis, along with many of his cabinet ministers, have visited our island shores, witnessing first-hand what we have achieved and the Foundation's plans for the programme.

As the Managing Director of Ocean Cay, how do you see the Super Coral Programme contributing to the island's broader mission and objectives, particularly in terms of environmental sustainability and marine biodiversity conservation?

Our island and the Foundation's programmes’ place us at the forefront of those responding to the UN Ocean Decade challenges and the Sustainable Development Goal of spotlighting and transforming humanity's relationship with the ocean. We are protecting and restoring Ocean Cay’s ecosystems and biodiversity while working to help develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy.

Ecotourism has the potential to be a force for good by promoting the responsible use of natural resources. We advocate for using renewable energy sources such as solar power, for eradicating single-use plastics, and for implementing strict waste management programmes. Collectively, we’re focusing attention on and aim to aid and protect our marine habitat. Launching one of our new Island Tour for guests will be an important development that complements the Marine Conservation Centre’s video tours. It will showcase the reconstruction of Ocean Cay, including the hundreds of tons of waste removed and recycled, while also showing how the island is now home to over 40 species of birdlife protected in our wetlands Avian Bird programme, and features a protected turtle nesting site as well as the Super Coral nurseries.

Reflecting on the journey so far, what key lessons have you learned about the intersection of tourism, marine conservation and community engagement?

We’ve learnt a lot! Let’s try breaking it down into four main areas.

Firstly, Planning. The local community, represented by our employees and town hall meetings on neighbouring islands, has been at the heart of our planning and design from the very beginning. Their knowledge of the local Bahamian environment, culture and traditions has helped ensure our journey is respectful of the community's needs and values.

Then there’s everything to do with Implementation and Management. Most of our team, about 85%, are Bahamians from not only Nassau but also local family islands such as Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros and Eleuthera. Our team is trained to work in a range of tourism-related roles, from providing tours and transportation to engaging guests across all our services. We offer employment opportunities that benefit our team members, their families and local communities through education and training. These skills are transferable to future careers, securing the knowledge and development of tourism and marine conservation.

Thirdly, comes Marketing and Promotion. Our local community promotes tourism to guests by showcasing their culture, traditions and way of life. This attracts more visitors, creating economic benefits for the local community.

Lastly, there’s the area of Decision-making and Governance. Here, our local team members and management are empowered and involved in the decision-making processes related to our tours and initiatives. They determine the content, standard operating procedures and delivery to our guests, ensuring alignment with the community's needs and values in a meaningful and sustainable way.

All these key choices were the result of listening and learning. And we’re now learning more as we see their benefits work through.

By fostering strong community engagement and innovative conservation efforts, we’re not only preserving our unique marine environment on Ocean Cay but also creating a model for future tourism and marine conservation initiatives globally.