These three hotels take pride in their efforts toward water protection and conservation, writes Jessica Mueller.
Plastic-free Maldives
One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives aims to be plastic-free within two years, from food-service packaging to mixers at the bar. The resort has also forged a recycling partnership with nonprofit environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans, which transforms plastic waste into technical textiles. The goal of these efforts is to ensure the health of the Indian Ocean and a clean habitat for the 200 hawksbill turtles that live in the surrounding waters.
Planting mangroves in Fiji
Biologists at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji led guests in planting 7,600 mangroves last year, and will add another 5,000 in 2019. The seedlings require about three years of care before they can live on their own. The dedicated team is also helping efforts to hatch and grow giant clams, and continuing to plant new coral.
Protecting fish populations in Ocho Rios
After decades of gradual depletion, in 2016 local fishermen in Ocho Rios were confronting an estimated 600% decrease in fish populations, as well as an overall decrease in size as a result of fish being harvested before they could mature. They turned to Jamaica Inn and other local organisations for help and last year saw the birth of the White River Fish Sanctuary, supported in part by the Jamaica Inn Foundation. The sanctuary’s wardens monitor the area for overfishing, with a goal of increasing fish populations by 500% over five years.
