<< go back

<< go back

3rd Quarter 2006

Another very eventful quarter for ReefCI……the most exciting events are the turtles which have been hatching and nesting on the island.  We have had amazing diving with Mantas, Turtles, Sharks, dolphins etc. All of our sponsored Youth Path members have now completed their Dive Master courses and have either gone or are on their way to San Pedro for work.  We start the next course in November for 2 local lads Jack and Eduardo.

The Turtles

We had 2 hatchings last month and we also witnessed a huge female laying her eggs and helped her back into the water.  The turtles lay between 80 and 120 eggs which hatch after 60 days…they are extremely vulnerable, there are many dangers and a small percentage of turtles survive.  Only 1% of hatchings reach adulthood!!!  ReefCI are working with the Department of Fisheries to help protect and aid the turtle survival rates.  There are only 40-60 Hawksbill turtle nests in Southern Belize, so it is imperative that we do what we can to help. 

For our customers the turtle work is an incredible experience, very emotional!!!  One of the nests that hatched last month had ants attacking the babies so, we collected all of the turtles and kept them overnight until they were strong enough to put into the ocean.  The following night with no lights on so they can follow the correct path, we took them to the beach and helped them start their way in life……an incredible experience.  The next hatching is expected around the 21st of November………

Conch

The conch season has now reopened….ReefCI in conjunction with Earthwatch have tagged and measured more than 300 conch.  We will now work on the migratory paths with local Fishermen.  The Fishermen get a reward for every tag they hand in and give us the information on where they were found, what depth etc.