Times of the Islands Summer 2016

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
Healthy reefs are pillars of a healthy planet and a healthy economy.
and scientific curiosity by empowering youth as junior
researchers of local marine protected areas.
To create simple marine research projects, fish survey
and coral assessment diving methodologies were modified
for children between the ages of 7–14 to complete on
snorkel. This program also provides college students with
the opportunity to serve as in-field and classroom mentors.
SFS students provide one-on-one research guidance
to participants as well as monitor their in-water safety.
Research Club members also work with SFS students to
practice species identification and develop hypotheses.
As part of the Research Club, participants are taken
by SFS boats and vehicles to the East Harbor Conch and
Lobster Reserve as well as to the Admiral Cockburn Land
and Sea National Park. For many, this is their first opportunity
to experience these natural ecosystems. At the
start of each week, Research Club members review their
collective results from the week before as a team. This
allows them to witness the product of their efforts and
apply what they learned to the current week’s endeavors.
This semester, junior researchers have investigated
questions on conch size and abundance, coral bleaching
and fish biodiversity within the reserves. They have
positioned transects, studied species identification, and
learned Coral Watch protocol. In April, junior researchers
presented their findings to the community in coordination
with the bi-annual SFS Student Directed-Research presentations.
To practice their presentation skills, Research
Club members have presented recent news headlines in
worldwide marine conservation and facts about keystone
species to the rest of club.
The curiosity, perseverance and ability that Research
Club members have shown is astonishing. We look forward
to watching them grow as marine scientists and
hope that their efforts inspire growing participation in the
club. Whatever they decide to do later on in life, we hope
that they carry a love for the ocean and an understanding
of its complexity with them.
The Center for Marine Resource Studies on South
Caicos is the only program currently carrying out research
on the reefs in this area and therefore it is imperative
to continue collecting data to create a complete picture
of regional and global coral health. With such promising
results, this research approach could continue beyond
the five-year plan to create a long-term reef-monitoring
program.
Healthy reefs are crucial pillars of a healthy planet
and a healthy economy. Without them, fish stocks will
continue to decline, tourism will be negatively impacted
and other ecosystems will be irreparably altered. The
incentives for a healthier ocean and a healthier earth are
self-evident, and it behooves us to continue studying and
protecting the species, such as coral reefs, that support
our lives. a
To learn more about the SFS program, visit www.fieldstudies.org/tci.
For more information on the South
Caicos Marine Research Club or to support this effort,
please contact the SFS CMRS Center Director Heidi Hertler
at hhertler@fieldstudies.org.
30 www.timespub.tc