Casey Tremper is a 2nd year Master’s of Arts of Marine Affairs student. She is carrying out her thesis research on perceptions surrounding the Underwater Coral Reef Sculpture Garden in Nassau on the island of New Providence, Bahamas. Casey spent 10 days in The Bahamas over winter break interviewing tourists, conservation managers, dive tour operators, and a few government officials. The goal was to determine any variations in perception between these groups regarding the importance of ocean conservation, and the role of the sculpture garden in environmental education. The research aims to identify any gaps between what conservation managers hope for tourists to gain and what tourists are actually gaining, in terms of enjoyment, experiences, and knowledge, when they visit the sculpture garden. Casey also dove with the Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation’s Coral Reef Sculpture Garden Coordinator in order to see the sculptures first hand.

Casey diving at the Coral Reef Sculpture Garden. This statue is the “Virtuoso Man” who is passing the torch of marine conservation on to future generations.

Casey diving at the Coral Reef Sculpture Garden. This statue is “Ocean Atlas.” She represents the younger generation of marine conservationists. She is crouched down to symbolize the weight of ocean conservation on her shoulders.