Coral Monitoring, Fragmentation, and Aquaculture Initiatives

Coral Monitoring, Fragmentation, and Aquaculture Initiatives

I assume everyone knows the history of aquaculture when it comes to growing coral.  I will say the process hasn’t changed much from when it was developed by civilian aquarium enthusiasts.  What has changed is the necessity to grow coral in semi-captive environments and transplant it back onto our larger reef systems.

Currently, in Akumal, we have been collecting photographs and data of our Acropora species and some of our Diploria.

Obviously we have some problems with our water quality in general up and down the peninsula.

I’ll begin by explaining the diagnostic testing I am doing, and my reason for doing these standard tests.

I’m currently testing

• Ammonia levels – which are varying between little more than 0.00 PPM up to .50 PPM on the reef
• Nitrates are being tested at stands of living, diseased, dead, and thriving colonies of Acropora due to our high Algae growth on the reef and the main bay. 
• pH is being tested to assess poor coral growth.  This gives us an indication of the variance locally.  We can compare this to what are considered normal ranges for the species we are losing and targeting for our coral nurseries.
• I am testing pH and Nitrates at stands of diseased or dying Acropora
• Each stand of Acropora is then measured in width and height – to determine age, size, and area of disease and in most instances photographed.
• We take the water temperature
• Currently, we record the depth and location of the stands we are studying
• Specific Gravity is also recorded to assess salinity: especially with so many fresh water cracks that feed into our ocean and bays locally.

I am currently not testing: Alkalinity:KH, Phosphates, or Calcium around living and dead stands. 

Currently I am concentrating on 4 areas. These are areas in the NE and SE portions of Akumal Bay, Church reef, and Yal Ku Canyon.  These areas tell the story of the reef’s decline. However, I think these locations offer us a good deal of hope, and possibly a road map to revitalizing the reefs of Akumal and the Riviera Maya.

Pick up a copy of the latest -Playa Times- or simply read it online.

 

Read the article online - click here!

CEA Silent Auction February 19th 6:00pm

Please support this, and other very important projects to protect Akumal Bay by making plans to attend the silent auction on February 19th at 6:00pm.  Hope to see you there!

Coral fragmentation and success around the globe!!

Below are some great examples via actual pictures of what our goals are and the many different techniques being employed around the world to mitigate the damage inflicted on our oceanic rainforests! 


Coral Nurseries Around the World

Expedition Akumal: Coral Restoration Project

Expedition Akumal - Coral Restoration Project

When asked to give a brief summary of the 'Expedition Akumal Coral Project' - I sum it up this way.

The Expedition Akumal Coral Project aims to revive and restore our local reefs and by proxy the Meso-American reef - the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world- via coral fragmentation nurseries  - these nurseries will also serve as nurseries for our reef fish which will in turn help replenish or bolster our fish stocks.  We are attempting to identify strains of our reef building corals - primarily staghorn and elkhorn corals that may be more resilient to temperature and disease - or simply more resilient in general.  We can grow these more resilient strains and transplant them back to their rightful place on the larger reef.  

The time commitment currently for each 4 person 'Science Diver' group, is between 7-14 days.  Obviously, we'd prefer if people could stay longer.  Our first group of 'Science Divers' were here 14 days and did about 22 scientific data gathering dives.  That however, is a great amount of diving for an average person on vacation so everything is tailored to the individual. 

As far as the work, it's work, absolutely beautiful work.  It is also vital and critical work here in Mexico and around the world in tropical areas. 
If you want to stay and work a month we'd love to have that also. 

Essentially, the original and first boutique hotel in Akumal.  Hotel Akumal Caribe, has created a 'Science Diver' Package in conjunction with CEA and Akumal Dive Center.  This allows you to work and vacation at the same time.  There are morning breakfast briefings and evening dinner debriefings.  At the end of your stay you may write a paper on the work that you did for our data repository.  This allows each group to build upon the work of the previous groups.  Your dives are video recorded and added to a data repository for a documentary and for your personal use.  You will be taking photos, mapping, testing Specific Gravity, PH, Nitrites, Nitrates, Temp, plankton percentage, Ammonia, and reef population studies.

You would also be locating and using GPS to map healthy and diseased or dying stands of Acropora.  You may also participate in a few Lionfish hunts, should you be so inclined.  We hunt normally about 2 days a week.

We have begun to to think of this as an all inclusive 'science trip', you may have a Lol Ha meal plan, unlimited 'Science' diving,  excellent training, a wonderful, beautiful hotel on Akumal Bay, and you become part of the project which is in fact our only solution - True Sustainable Tourism!  We ALREADY have members booking for next year to build on the work we started this year.  I'm very excited about the project here in Akumal and hope that the public really becomes a part of the solution!

1. If you'd like to become a science diver we'd prefer Advanced OW Diver Certifications with a Peak Performance Buoyancy Class.   If Open Water certified - you must take a peak performance buoyancy class here or there.  We are working with truly 'threatened' species and to do this work requires permits from the government.
2. Can I help if I don't Scuba Dive?   Answer:  Yes!!! Message us at Expedition Akumal on FB.
3. Donations are tax deductible and I'll add the exact information here in the next few days!
4. Throwing this out there: We are desperately in need of a new underwater GPS device.  If anyone has one they are not using that can be donated - Please contact me!
5. Additionally, please indicate whether you are interested in the 14 day package or 7 day 'Science Diver' package we are currently offering.  So I may get you the correct package info and breakdown.

Many Thanks and I hope to work with you soon.

Here is what we have been working on lately. Please watch the Expedition Akumal video posted above. It truly best describes our efforts to rehabilitate our reefs locally!