REEF staff recently returned from the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where nearly 3,000 scientists, conservationists, and government officials met to compare notes, network and identify problems and solutions for the ocean's most delicate ecosystem. This is the keystone scientific meeting on coral reef science. REEF Director of Science, Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens, gave a talk on the science and management applications of the REEF database and presented a research poster on the same topic.
The M/V Wellwood, a 122-meter freighter, ran aground in 1984 on Molasses Reef off Key Largo, Florida. The grounding destroyed 1,285 square meters of living corals. The grounding transformed the area into a flattened, barren pavement covered with coral rubble. Eighteen years after the grounding, the area resembled nearby hard ground habitat with little structure and the benthic community was dominated by gorgonians.
As Audrey reported in the previous article, REEF Field Surveys are more than just your average dive vacation. Not only are you joined by like-minded divers and led by dynamic experts in marine life, but the trips often include opportunities to learn more about a local culture and even participate in conservation activities or research. We already have several great destinations lined up for 2009 and are finalizing several more trips for the calendar.
- One female space just opened up on the upcoming Baja Mexico Field Survey aboard the Don Jose Liveaboard. This trip has been sold out for a while and we don't expect the space to last long. The trip begins and ends in La Paz and runs October 5-12. Check out the trip flyer to find out more. Contact Jeanne from Baja Expeditions at 800-843-6967 or travel@bajaex.com.
REEF eclipsed a milestone this week when the REEF Volunteer Survey Project Database passed the 120,000 survey mark. This represents over 150,000 hours of underwater survey time from our volunteers. The achievement comes almost 15 years to the day when the first REEF fish survey was conducted off Key Largo, Florida, on July 17, 1993. Today, the program is going strong throughout the coastal areas of North and Central America, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Galapagos Islands and Hawaii.
Nassau, Bahamas - July 30, 2008 -- Up early this morning and readying for another big day on the lionfish front. As part of an Associated Press story on the lionfish, I am joined by Andy Dehart and Lisa Mitchell here in Nassau to shoot footage of our lionfish work and do interviews for an AP television segment. We'll be live collecting fish, tagging a few and talking about the current research being conducted by REEF, NOAA, Simon Fraser University and Oregon State University - research showing that the lionfish appear to be having severe impacts on our native fish populations.
It is hard to believe that I am already more than half way through my Marine Conservation Internship. The past two months have been full of exciting events that have really inspired me to continue on in the world of marine conservation and biology. After settling into the REEF office for just a few days, the REEF staff had me out and about, getting involved with the community.
Dr. Jim Bohnsac is our Science Liaison to the Board of Directors and a Fisheries Biologist with NOAA. Recently, Jim has been interviewed several times about the effectiveness of the Dry Tortugas National Park in protecting fish species inside and outside of the protected areas. The Dry Tortugas lie approximately 70 miles SW of Key West and are an integral part of the greater Keys coral reef ecosystem.
No-fishing zones studied, Protective areas aim to increase size, number of fish
$549 -- Package includes: 7 nights, 5 days of diving, and R/T airport transfers. An additional $300 REEF Program Fee per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminars, survey materials, and data management.
For more information and to reserve your space please contact our dedicated REEF Travel Consultant at 1-877-295-7333 (REEF), or you can e-mail REEF@caradonna.com. Don’t forget we can handle your airfare for one stop shopping.
$1,595 -- All inclusive package includes: 7 Nights Accomodation at Breezes Curacao, Three Meals Daily, All alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (top shelf extra), Hotel and Service Taxes. Use of other resort amenities, Complimentary shuttle to Willemstad, Round trip Airport Transfers, 6 Days of 2 Tank Boat Dives with Ocean Encounters, Unlimited Shore Diving, Tanks and weights. An additional $300 REEF Program Fee per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminars, survey materials, and data management.