In Conversation with Alannah Vellacott
The Marine Ecologist on Coral Reef Resilience, Diversity in Marine Science, and Bahamians’ Legacy to Conserve Healthy Oceans for Future Generations.
Alannah Vellacott, a passionate marine ecologist and science communicator from Grand Bahama, has dedicated her career to advancing marine conservation and public engagement in ocean stewardship. Since joining Coral Vita in the summer of 2019, Alannah has played a pivotal role in the organization's efforts to grow and restore resilient coral reefs, navigating the challenges presented by Hurricane Dorian and contributing significantly to their mission to protect threatened ecosystems.
At Coral Vita, Alannah’s responsibilities are diverse, from husbandry and maintaining life support systems to cleaning corals and managing field operations. Her extensive experience includes over 16 years as a diver and more than five years as a diving instructor. This background equips her to handle tasks such as coral surveys, site selection, coral collection, and maintaining in situ nurseries with expertise. In her most recent role as Community Development Lead, she balances field operations with outreach efforts to engage students, visitors, and the broader community to raise awareness about coral conservation.
Alannah Vellacott reflected on her journey as one of the few Black women in Marine Science. She stated, “None of us are obligated to be representatives of our intersecting identities; you don’t have to. I choose to, because representation is that important to me, and to so many other women of color around the world. I wish I had someone like me to look up to when I was beginning to understand Marine Biology. I’m happy where I am and super grateful, but who knows where I could have been if I had that reflection to look at.”
She hopes that any part of her experience — her work as a scientist, her identity as a woman of color, or even how she take care of her hair in the salty ocean — can serve as inspiration for other women. She said, “If any woman of color working in STEM can latch on to any part of what it is that I’m representing, I would love to have a conversation with them. I would love to give them a big hug. I’d love to tell them, “Girl, you got this, we out here, we’re standing together, because it is so important that we stand up to be counted.”
Alannah emphasizes the power of individual action in protecting marine environments and the critical importance of ocean health for the Bahamas, a nation heavily reliant on its marine resources. She underscores that tourism and fishing, two of the country's top three industries, are deeply connected to the well-being of the oceans and coral reefs. Vellacott asserts, “We understand how crucial our oceans are to us, especially as a nation that depends on them for tourism and fishing. Both key industries rely on healthy reefs and marine environments. If we, as a people, truly recognize and prioritize the importance of our oceans, we can significantly influence the direction of our country’s policies on ocean protection and conservation.”
“You don’t have to be working at Coral Vita to help take care of our reefs,” she emphasizes. “There are so many simple things that we all can do every single day. The biggest and most powerful one is using our voice.” She advocates for prioritizing leaders who focus on ocean health and suggests practical steps individuals can take, such as reducing single-use plastics. “For example, taking a reusable water bottle wherever you go is a small but impactful change,” she notes. “Every little effort adds up to a big difference.”
The threats to coral reefs are dire, with half of the world’s reefs lost in the past decade. Alannah highlights the severity of the situation, noting, “In the Bahamas and the Caribbean, 60 to 80% of reefs have been devastated.” She identifies multiple stressors contributing to this decline, including overfishing, pollution, unsustainable coastal development, and climate change. “Corals are extremely resilient,” she explains. “They’ve been around for more than 500 million years, outlasting dinosaurs and sharks. Yet, human actions have accelerated their decline.”
Despite the challenges, Alannah remains hopeful. She describes the work as “selfless and passionate,” driven by a desire to preserve the reefs for future generations. “I have to hold onto hope and be optimistic about the work we’re doing,” she says. “It’s about making a difference, no matter how small the steps may seem.”
Alannah envisions a future where her efforts contribute to a thriving marine environment. She notes, “Every day, as I place my hands in the tanks and handle a young coral, I am mindful of the legacy I am helping to create. These corals represent the future reefs that my great-great-grandchildren will one day snorkel over and from which they will draw sustenance.” She continues, “It’s about ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a vibrant ocean. Seeing my efforts contribute to a thriving marine environment gives me a profound sense of purpose, knowing that they will be able to experience the beauty of the ocean as I do today.” Find Alannah on instagram @alannahvellacott.
Waynesha Thompson is a student intern at The University of The Bahamas, pursing her bachelor's degree in Small Island Sustainability: Environmental and Ecosystems Management: Marine Science. She is a creative who is passionate about learning, exploring and capturing moments of climate justice, environmental sustainability and sharing her knowledge with the public. She has created videos for The Bimini Shark Lab, The Science Club and The UB Conservation Conclave. She has participated in mangrove plantings and beach clean-ups. She hopes to use her creativity to infuse the world with the importance of climate justice.