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1st Quarter 2008

ReefCI & Emperor Divers in Egypt

ReefCI and Emperor divers have now been operating in the Red Sea since November 2007.

Dales diary sums up one customers experience….

Name: Dale Goosen
Age: 28
Reason for choosing ReefCI: A new Red Sea Experience

I was looking for something new and different to try in the Red Sea this year when a ReefCI article in the Emperor Divers news letter caught my eye. I had dived off the Egyptian coast thrice before and an opportunity to get more involved and "give something back" was very appealing. It wasn't long after checking in with Emperor Divers that I met Polly (Founder & MD of ReefCI) and Anna had spent 2 months with ReefCI as a customer in Belize.  They were very enthusiastic about this initiative and eager to introduce their first Red Sea student to the world of marine conservation.

Day 1 started with an introduction to ReefCI and the marine eco-system.  I learned some amazing facts,  for example parrot fish are the ‘cows’ of the ocean and by grazing on algae naturally stop the algae taking over from the live coral!  We then started on basic fish ID, distinguishing Groupers from Wrasse and Butterfly fish from Angel fish. Almost immediately diving took on a fresh edge as I sought out the fish I had just learnt about. Meanwhile, Polly and Anna finned alongside me confirming my fumbled hand signals, amused I'm sure by this child in a new found sweetshop!  By the end of my first day my diving had already change for the better, I was much more aware of different species and their role in the fragile marine eco-system and I now know about the sexual behaviour of different fish species and can even distinguish the difference between a female and a male parrot fish!  That night Polly and Anna took myself and some of the other Emperor guests to Papas bar and after to a very good local restaurant called Café del Mar.

Day 2 we were joined by Andrew (ReefCI's Marine Biologist) who helped expand my growing fish catalogue with individual species within the bigger families. Andrew also provided interesting and practical insight into the relationships and purpose of creatures on the reef as we included a few invertebrates. We saw one of these relationships in action as we experienced a cleaning station first hand the same day, although I cannot decide if a good manicure from cleaner wrasse and cleaner shrimps is a compliment or a need to re-address my personal hygiene!

Day 3 Polly and Andrew introduce basic types of coral into the mix. Even though there are lots to look out for, diving has by no means become a task. New information is delivered in bite-size chunks and identifying creatures is very interactive as I am learning in this new initiative.  There have been no classroom sessions, no exams and no evening study times.  The course is a great balance between enjoying my diving and holiday and at the same time putting something back into the marine environment that we all love.  I am encouraged to make the most of all dives and enjoy all their attractions which include watching Jack's feed to investigating the hidden treasures of a hollow reef pinnacle.  With no studying and no evening classroom sessions, most evenings were spent socialising at the many local bars and restaurants with the ReefCI crew and their friends and with the other Emperor guests. 

Day 4 although it may not be a main attraction of the Red Sea, a lot can be derived from the presence of algae. I learned about the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ algae and how human beings have such a major impact on the different types.  During the dives, I tested my buoyancy and control seeking out what little algae there is in the nooks and crannies of coral heads. We were lucky enough to observe a large Octopus strut his stuff with a rapid and amazing display of colour and even "texture" changing. In addition to improved buoyancy control I have found that my air consumption is decreasing and my dives are lasting longer with my new found focus.

Day 5: Today we're out to find evidence of threats to and impacts on coral reefs. Unfortunately this kind of evidence is not hard to find. The absence of coral around a small dive boat at 6m is obvious years after its sinking, a prime example of human impact. Fortunately all is not lost as there is clear hard coral re-growth on some of the metal wreckage. Our second dive is filled with great finds: a coral pinnacle writhing with large Travelly and three large Napoleon Wrasse. The later feeding on coral and algae – although not a widespread threat on live coral, it’s a good example of a natural impact.
 
Day 6: Time to test our newly developed ID skills with a practise commercial fish survey. Slates in hand Andrew and I jumped in.  The dive was so beautiful that I almost forgot my objective while we explored the beautiful giant and undamaged fan corals. More and more its seems that knowing what I am looking for has unexpected rewards, more specifically on this dive several free swimming Giant Moray Eels, Travelly feeding on Snappers and an inquisitive Triton Trigger Fish. Dolphins surfing the boat's bow wave and jumping in its wake were just a bonus.
 
Day 7: Fish ID skills waxed, it was time to follow the Reef Check methodology and use the 100 metre transect line that I helped Andrew mark up during the week. It wasn't long before we were confident in our task ahead. I was excited to know that by the end of the week, I would be contributing to data collected on the status of the world's coral reefs. But it was not all work!  We took timeout to compete in underwater races, first running without fins, then with BCD's off and carried in front of us – laughing and buoyancy do not mix.
 
Day 8: We started the day with a relaxing wreck dive, the El Mina – a mine sweeper very obviously torpedoed and now lying outside the harbour from which she took her name. Our second dive was a full Reef Check practise survey and it took 3 divers, 5 tanks, 100m of transect line and 106 minutes. We completed an Impact Assessment, Fish ID (complete with the less common Broomtail Wrasse!), Invertebrate ID and Substrate Check. All went well despite Andrew and I needing a quick tank change, but unfortunately we were unable to complete our Substrate line markings and were forced to improvise. Great learning session to ensure that we hopefully get it right tomorrow!  Completing a full survey gave me valuable experience. Personally this was the most demanding test of my buoyancy control yet.
 
Day 9: Armed with a fully marked transect line and another suitable dive site, we are ready to complete a full 100m survey of coral reef and its supported life. Success! This time we only needed one whole tank each, except for Polly who must have gills and came up with her usual 130 bar. Once again we were rewarded with some great spots – an investigative turtle and 2 more Broomtail Wrasse. Our completed survey would now go to Reef Check.  I feel extremely proud that I have contributed to the first ReefCI survey of many in Hurghada and the Red Sea.
 
Day 10: Today was my last day but we still had time left and opportunity to work on a commercial fish survey on a new site with gentle drop-off with a chance to see bigger fish and maybe even some mega fauna. The survey showed much and after inspecting a small cave teeming with life we were graced with an effortlessly gliding spotted eagle ray and a large napoleon wrasse.  We also witnessed a Triton Trigger fish feeding on a Diadema urchin….something I probably wouldn’t have taken much notice of prior to this trip. I was pleasantly surprised on the boat when Polly presented me with a certificate for completing a ReefCI Reef Check survey. No diving the next day, so we all went to Hedkandi and enjoyed a great night out with the ReefCI & Emperor crew and other guests.