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| News this quarter |
Annual report, Spawning fish and Nominate ReefCI for upcoming ecotourism awards!
ReefCI have submitted our 4th annual report to the Belizean Department of Fisheries, this is very significant because after 5 years of data collection our baseline data can start to give some actual results.
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Summary
Finally, a summary from one of our customers...
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2nd Quarter 2009
Annual report
ReefCI have submitted our 4th annual report to the Belizean Department of Fisheries, this is very significant because after 5 years of data collection our baseline data can start to give some actual results. So, what have we found? The Reef Check surveys have indicated an overall healthy reef, however there has been an increase in nutrient indicator algae indicating that the river flow from the neighboring countries could be bringing an excess of nutrients that ultimately cause damage to the reef. There is a very low abundance of bleaching at our Reef Check survey sites. However, during 2009, ReefCI have introduced a more complex methodology for bleach surveys which are to be carried out at all dive sites. There is a low abundance of many of the key fish species. During 2009 in addition to our Reef Check surveys, ReefCI are monitoring commercial fish at all sites using a rover diver technique. The conch at the rare deep water breeding site are giving us a higher mean average of lip thickness, spire size and length indicating that the average age at the deeper water site is older than at the shallower sites. The conch data has been submitted to John Cigliani of Cedar Crest college, Boston as contributory data for his paper on the Queen Conch.
Spawning fish
Everyone loves Hunting caye with its idyllic white sandy beaches and surrounding blue turquoise sea. The diving has been fantastic, as always! The most exciting dives have been the spawning aggregation dives for groupers! Huge Nassau, Black and Tiger groupers flirting with each other as they are getting ready to spawn!!! There are so many of them that we don’t know where to look next! And the Nassau’s and Black’s are enormous! Also, getting together were 2 huge green moray eels, trunk fish, 2 gigantic nurse sharks….its like a massive orgy underwater!!!
Nominate Reef Conservation International for upcoming ecotourism awards!
Major awards sponsored by Virgin Holidays.
Nomination deadlines for the responsible tourism competitions are approaching quickly. Participation is a great way to get the word out about ReefCI to the judges and to the thousands of visitors to the websites. Would you consider nominating us for best in a marine environment?
http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/nominations/
They are looking for organizations “delivering benefits to local people and the environment” Nominations close June 15th 2009.
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