December 5
We spent about two hours this morning in a snorkeling expedition within the Glovers Reef coral atoll. We learned a bit more about the characteristics of a coral atoll — a circular or oval coral reef with an interior body of shallow water and an exterior of deep ocean. We snorkeled in three different areas of coral, separated by bands of sea grass. We saw many more fish today (both species and numbers) as well as rays, spiny lobsters, and another nurse shark.
After our snorkeling we visited the nearby WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) research station on Middle Caye. It is the only permanent marine research station in Belize. The island is owned by WCS. The Belize fisheries and coast guard agencies also have staff on the island, and day visitors or overnight researchers are welcome. The current visiting researchers are from Cornell, working on acoustic technologies to monitor fish and fishing vessels.
We learned about WCS work in Belize in a series of presentations throughout the day. They have made impressive strides in expanding the number and extent of protected land (both marine and forested) in Belize as well as creating cooperative relationships with government agencies and local communities.
It has continued to be quite windy. During our dinner out on the dock tonight we had to keep a good hold on our napkins!
Pictured: huge hermit crab in a queen conch shell, southern ray with his fishy companion, Yucatán vireo, Checkered Cowfish, and a Yellow-crowned Night-heron who insisted on being photographed.
One correction to last night’s posting— it was a striped parrotfish, not a princess.
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