Beyond the Crown: Zero Hunger Universe Episode #5

Perhaps best known for his commercial and National Geographic Magazine photography, Courtney Platt has spent a lifetime beneath Cayman’s surface. With a minor in marine biology, years teaching scuba at Bob Soto’s Diving (1983–1986), over 5,000 dives logged locally, and more than 2,500 deep dives as a submersible pilot along the Cayman Wall to 1,000 feet, Courtney holds an intimacy with our reefs shared by only a handful—especially during their period of greatest decline. Recently inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, he has now turned his focus fully toward reef restoration, with a personal call to action for every resident.

In this episode, we discuss:
• The true state of Cayman’s reef shelf
• Why reef fish are a food security issue, not a convenience
• The economics of living reefs vs. dead fish on a plate
• Community responsibility, marine parks, and enforcement
• What “sustainability” actually means for small islands

Courtney is also one of the three founders of Lionfish University, a pioneering effort to address invasive species through education and action.

🔗 Watch his Reef Fish Restoration Presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/oc8fo49te7g7xp43o6i74/AC2VAiMQ7xVequ7tET_s154?rlkey=14j08a9z5knltalx4hfro707b&st=ndzhe20d&dl=0