An island-based non-life insurance group has joined forces with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences in the battle against climate change.

Randall & Quilter’s support will be directed towards research undertaken by Bios’s Ocean Academy which since 2010 has provided skills, resources, training and mentorship to more than 20,000 students and educators.

The support will specifically be focused towards Bermuda’s seagrass meadows, an area of both local importance and global relevance.

Steve Talley, lead actuary of R&Q Bermuda, said: “As we are headquartered in Bermuda – an island on the frontline in terms of facing the consequences of climate change – it seemed appropriate that we focused our efforts on an organisation whose research is addressing important local and global environmental issues, providing important education and training to a new, diverse generation of students, and informing a better understanding of climate risk.

“We are really excited about this partnership with Bios which we hope will allow us to play a small part in making a difference to support environmental consciousness and help Bermuda safeguard its future.”

William Curry, president and CEO of Bios, added: “We are delighted to have R&Q supporting the seagrass research project being undertaken by our Ocean Academy.

“These seagrass meadows provide habitats for juvenile fish, absorb carbon, filter out environmental toxins, retain sediments and protect Bermuda’s coastlines, but since 2007, seagrasses have been reduced from 5,000 acres to no longer ecologically functional habitats.

“Understanding and protecting these seagrass meadows is critical to Bermuda’s efforts to manage environmental impacts along its coastline.”