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.