Keynote speaker, award-winning cameraman Doug Allan, will bring his experiences to Cayman to share the importance of imagery in conservation initiatives
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; 3rd September 2024: It’s no secret that coral reefs and other ocean habitats are having a hard time as our planet faces unprecedented challenges and rapidly changing conditions. The need to protect and restore coral reefs has never been more urgent. The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is using the annual Festival of Seas gala in November as a way to prompt public interest in taking positive action for coral reefs at what is a critical time for the ocean.
To help tell the important story about the value of and connections we have to nature and coral reefs, award-winning Planet Earth and Blue Planet cameraman, Doug Allan, OBE, will be the featured speaker at CCMI’s annual gala on 16th November 2024. Thanks to Dart’s sponsorship as the underwriter for the gala speaker, CCMI can bring in someone of Mr Allan’s talent and experience to communicate important ideas as humankind imagines a new reality for the future of the ocean in the face of accelerating climate change.
DOUG ALLAN QUOTE:
“In forty years of filmmaking on ocean series with the BBC, Discovery and National Geographic, I’ve worked with the best producers, editors and sound mixers. I’ve watched them take my raw images and weave their magic into themes and narratives that have touched the hearts and minds of hundreds of millions of viewers around the world. That’s been an immense privilege, but this 2024 Gala will be a great platform to reach out even further. It’ll be wonderful to be in the company of the inspirational scientists, staff and supporters of CCMI. Together we’ll look at important new stories about the oceans and explore exciting new ways to tell them.”
In addition to providing the keynote address at the gala, Mr Allan will also announce the winners of a photo competition CCMI is running in the lead-up to the gala. Photographers are welcome to submit their entries into the Coral Reef Horizons photo contest through an online submission site. The goal is to invite photographers to help tell the story of Cayman’s coral reefs and human connections to the underwater environment. Submissions are accepted through 4th October for consideration; photographs must be taken in the Cayman Islands.
Speaker sponsors, Dart, commented: “We have been supporting CCMI’s research and education programmes for more than 15 years through Dart, the Dart Foundation and the Kenneth B. Dart Foundation,” says Director Jackie Doak. “We’re grateful for this opportunity to welcome Doug Allan whose powerful visual stories connect people with the marine habitats CCMI champions with its vital work.”
Project Manager, Robyn Larkin, states, “We are so excited to have Doug attend Festival of Seas this year! He has a wealth of experience capturing the beauty of natural places on film and sharing that with people through his work over 35 years. Doug is well positioned to help CCMI convey the importance of visual storytelling to the protection and conservation of critical habitats that are under pressure due to changing climate and human activity. His message will be an inspiration to our supporters as our team continues to secure a future for coral reefs.”
For more information about Festival of Seas: http://www.reefresearch.org/festival-of-seas/
For full details about the Coral Reef Horizons photo competition: http://www.reefresearch.org/FOSphoto
About the Festival of Seas: Coral Reef Horizons Gala
Festival of Seas is CCMI’s largest annual fundraiser The event is CCMI’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising money to support CCMI’s ongoing efforts and allowing the team to respond to new opportunities and challenges that may arise during the coming year. It is a chance for CCMI’s community of stakeholders and supporters, dedicated marine enthusiasts, and environmental ambassadors to come together with a common goal, taking positive action to support CCMI’s critical efforts and expand important work as we race against the clock. This year’s fundraising gala and dinner will take place:
Saturday, 16 November 2024
6:30 – 11:00 pm
Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa
Tickets: CI $300 ea; table of 10: CI $3000
VIP Table of 10: CI $5000
Tickets can be reserved by emailing events@reefresearch.org; payment can be made via bank transfer. Alternately, tickets can be purchased online with a credit card or via PayPal at https://donate.reefresearch.org/FOS2024. Event sponsorship opportunities are available to help CCMI reach their fundraising goals.
About Doug Allan
Doug is an award-winning natural history photographer, documentary filmmaker, diver, author, and public speaker. https://dougallan.com/
During 35 years of filming, Doug has captured some of the most iconic wildlife scenes on television. He has worked on more than 65 films, making more than 25 trips to the Antarctic and 30 across the Arctic, while working for the BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic among others. His credits include Frozen Planet, Human Planet, Life, Planet Earth, The Blue Planet, Life in the Freezer, Hostile Planet, Forces of Nature, Operation Iceberg, and Ocean Giants. Doug was also one of the cameramen for and appeared in, the award-winning documentary A Plastic Ocean.
Doug’s photographic awards include eight Emmys, five BAFTAs, and five Wildscreen Pandas. He has twice won the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. He has three Honorary Doctorates in recognition of his camerawork and is an Honorary Fellow of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographic Society. In August 2024 he was awarded an OBE for services to Broadcast Media and the Promotion of Environmental Awareness.
Doug’s dive experience includes more than 5,000 hours underwater with over 650 dives under ice. He’s even been hugged by a walrus and made friends with a narwhal!
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. We plan 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 decline of coral reefs.
