Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Dutch Television to Air Series on the Nature of the Dutch Antilles, Bonaire is Slated to be First

A series of weekly TV documentaries about nature in the Dutch Caribbean, entitled “Tropical Kingdom,” will soon air on Dutch television (Nederland 2) by the broadcast organization, Llink, starting April 1st, 2010. 

Each week another island will be featured, showcasing its unique biodiversity on land and in the water and the efforts to protect it. This beautiful documentary series was directed by Dutch documentary-maker, Willem Mouissie, and produced in partnership with DCNA, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, as part of their efforts in this Year of Biodiversity 2010.  Their aim is to promote the Dutch Caribbean biodiversity as the richest in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The series will highlight luxuriant coral reefs and majestic cloud forests, bringing an entirely new natural world to the Dutch Kingdom when Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius become part of Holland later this year.  The series will examine the implications and effects of the changing political structure in these areas.  This new status will bring about ten thousand new species to Holland’s biodiversity.  Of these, 200 are unique in the world, and about 100 species are threatened with extinction.  How these areas and species can be protected under the new political structure is one of many questions to be answered.

In the first documentary on April 1st, Bonaire will be highlighted.  The film crews met with the dedicated volunteers of the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) to discuss the island’s sea turtles (both resident population and visiting turtles), as well as with those whose work takes place in the island’s important mangrove forests, and also with the various caretakers of Bonaire’s nature, both above and below the water.

The series promises to be enlightening, so those with access to Dutch television should plan to watch. (Source:  MINA, Amigoe)

Monday, March 08, 2010

BWC Hosts Upcoming Events--Half Marathon and Cycling Races

Bonaire Wellness Connexions will host several events in March and April, including a half-marathon run, and two mountain bike races.

On Sunday, March 14, everyone is invited to participate in the 2nd BWC Half Marathon, but there will be a fourteen-kilometer run, and a seven-kilometer fun run as well.  Participants don’t have to be athletes to participate, as one can also walk the course on either the 7K or 14K categories. The course is a 7K loop that starts and finish in front of Karel’s Beach Bar. To register, please visit BWC at Les Galleries shopping mall in downtown Kralendijk.

Then, on Sunday, April 4, BWC will hold its next mountain bike race of the 2010 season beginning at 7 AM. The race will take place in the area of Lagoen and Washikemba with a course that is varied and exciting. Participants must pre-register before the race day. 

Lastly, on Saturday, April 17 BWC will host a North Mountain Bike Ride, with one of the best and most challenging mountain bike areas on the island.  This north ride has been planned for intermediate and advanced riders as the course will include single-tracks and technical trails of about 45 kilometers (about 2-1/2 hours of riding); entry is FL 25.00 per person (USD $15.00), and includes drinks and fruit. (Source:  Bonaire Wellness Connexions)

Friday, March 05, 2010

Eighth Annual Special Olympics Walk-A-Thon Will Be Held Sunday, March 7th, 2010

The Special Olympics Bonaire will hold it’s eighth annual Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for their programs for the island’s participants in Special Olympics.

Those interested in participating should plan on checking in at the Slave Huts at 5:00 AM this coming Sunday.  Everybody is welcome, and the route may be walked, run, or cycled.  The entire route is 30 kilometers, but participants can finish whenever they are tired or ready.  Entry fee is FL 25.00 (about USD $14.00) and includes a t-shirt, water and snacks en route, and lunch at the finish.  Tickets are available at TCB, Chat ‘n’ Browse, or from the board members or coaches of the Special Olympics Bonaire.

The water and snack stations will be set up every five kilometers (about every 3 miles) and will include only healthy snacks.  Lunch at the completion of the route will be served from 10:00 AM through 1:00 PM at Pasadia Karino Rincon.  T-shirts can be picked up at Hotel Rochaline either tonight from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, or Saturday, March 6th, from 10:00 AM through 4:00 PM.

Come out for some great exercise and help a worthy cause!  (Source:  Special Olympics Bonaire)

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Noted American Pianist, Marilyn Kredel, to Play Recital on Friday, March 5, 2010

Tomorrow evening will be the night to enjoy the next classical music concert on Bonaire when the noted American pianist, Marilyn Kredel, will perform a recital at Cacique Hall.

Ms. Kredel has played at Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and also in Rome for the Vatican.  She’ll be here on Bonaire to play a special concert with all proceeds being donated to the Fundashon Piano Grandi, with the ultimate goal of procuring new bass strings for the grand piano used in these concerts.

She’ll perform a remarkable program with compositions from Scarlatti, Chopin, Beethoven, Dvorak, and Liszt, as well as two pieces from the twentieth century.

Tickets are FL 30.00 (about USD $16.85) per person in advance, or FL 35.00 (about USD $19.65) at the door.  Entrance for children with a school ID accompanied by adults is FL 10.00 each (about USD $5.62).  Advance tickets may be purchased at Books & Toys or Flamingo Bookstore on Kaya Grandi, or at the reception desk of Plaza Resort Bonaire.  The concert begins at 8:00 PM, and Cacique Hall is located at the Plaza Resort Bonaire.  (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Mark March 28, 2010 on the Calendar--It’s the 21st Annual Bonaire Rotarally

This popular annual event, sponsored by Bonaire’s Rotary Club, will be held on March 28, 2010.  The car rally is enjoyed by tourists and residents alike, who make a day of it beginning with the car rally, and ending up with a tasty BBQ.

Last year, the event had a record turn-out with 82 autos and the Rotary is looking for a new record in 2010!  The rally will begin at 9:00 AM at the Kompleho Deportivo Bonaire (Sports Hall), with a finish at the Old Sunset Beach location on Playa Lechi.  Entrance fee of FL 75.00 (about USD $42.00) includes two tickets to the end-of-the-day BBQ.  For those who cannot compete in the rally, but wish to enjoy the BBQ, the tickets are FL 25.00 each (about USD $14.00).  Participation in this fund-raising event will benefit the BIBLIO Bus (Library Bus).  Tickets can be purchased in advance of the rally at Sunbelt Realty, It Rains Fishes Bar & Restaurant, Akkerman’s Auto Supplies, or from any Rotary member.

Those wishing to learn more about Rotary’s involvement in the Bonaire community may visit their web site by clicking here. (Source:  Bonaire Rotary Club)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival 2010 Promises Big Artists in a Big Festival

Save the dates of May 27th through 30th, 2010, as this will be the next occasion of the jazz festival on Bonaire.  A variety of musical styles will be presented with bands from Brazil, Cuba, the United States, and The Netherlands in different venues around Bonaire as these internationally known jazz musicians mingle with the best musical talent Bonaire has to offer in this sixth year of the annual event.

As in past years, the festival will kick off at the beautiful and romantic location of Fort Oranje on May 27 with an evening of Jazz and Poetry. Then, on May 28th and 29th, the two main concerts will take place at the Tipsy Seagull at the Plaza Resort. This year’s top attraction will be the world renowned trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval, performing with his seven-piece band. Arturo is originally from Cuba, but now lives in the USA. Also performing will be Manny Moreira from Brazil, BEKU from the United States, Joke Bruijs with Frits Landesberg from The Netherlands, and Henk van Twillert with Tjako van Schie, also from The Netherlands. These performers will be joined by Bonaire’s best local musicians: the Cabaco Trio, the Silver Bullet Steelband, the New Generation Dancers, and Kaña Brabu, offering a combination of varying styles of jazz, all with their own character. For fans who just cannot get enough, jam sessions with many of the musicians will be held at Sense, just across the street from Plaza, starting at 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

The always popular Jazz Brunch takes place on Sunday, May 30th at the Divi Flamingo Resort, where musicians participating in the festival, along with other musicians and singers, will provide a spectacular jam session while guests enjoy a delicious brunch.

As in previous years Heineken is the title sponsor and the main sponsors to date for the event this year are: Plaza Resort, Divi Flamingo Resort, Telbo NV, Breathe-IT, It Rains Fishes, Budget Rent a Car, Maduro & Curiel’s Bank, Sunbelt Realty, Rocargo, Sense, Mega FM, Captain Don’s Habitat and RumRunners, Hotel Rochaline, TIS, Don Andres, HBN Law, Bonaire Affair, TCB, and Addo’s Bookstore.  Additional information about the artists, final program, and ticket sales will be announced soon.  (Source:  Bonaire Jazz Foundation)

Friday, February 19, 2010

Bonaire Continues Proactive Efforts in Fight Against Invasive Lionfish

The Pacific lionfish appeared in Bonaire’s waters last fall, and Bonaire’s marine park and tourism sector are continuing the proactive fight to contain the lionfish population.

Lionfish are particularly destructive to Atlantic reef systems, because they are voracious predators, feeding upon the normal juvenile population of shrimp and fish, thus not allowing these species to grow to maturity and reproduce.  Further, the lionfish are prolific reproducers themselves, with a female capable of producing 30,000 eggs, of which 90% are pre-destined also to be female.  Unfortunately, there are no natural predators of this fish in the Caribbean, so their numbers will not be kept in check via natural predation.

The third lionfish captured on Bonaire reefs (late October, 2009) was only 4.6 cm in length.  However, the fish are becoming much larger and one recently captured was measured to be 18.5 cm in length (see image above comparing these two fish). Lionfish can grow up to about 56 cm.  This fast growth means the lionfish are dining well on Bonaire reefs, and, in fact, the stomach contents of all lionfish removed from Bonaire waters are checked--these lionfish are actively feeding upon Bonaire juvenile fish and shrimp populations.  Lionfish hunt 100% of their time.  They do not stop when full, in fact, studies indicate they never are full and will just keep feeding as long as there is a readily available food supply.  Lionfish can begin reproduction when females are only 13 cm, so the population on Bonaire is already at the point of reproducing, and, in fact, reports of juvenile lionfish are beginning to come in again, proving that we now have a second generation of the fish.

But there is good news to share:  The Bonaire National Marine Park rangers are conducting multiple lionfish workshops for those marine park volunteers who are interested in helping to remove the fish.  These workshops focus upon how to safely catch, remove, and store the fish until it can be processed at CIEE, and then tissue samples are sent to REEF.  The lionfish do have venomous spines, covered by a sheath of skin, which can cause excruciating pain, and therefore, the training is mandatory for anyone who wishes to assist with the fish removal.  It should be noted that no one (tourist or resident) has been stung on Bonaire to date, so captures are proceeding safely due to the excellent training by the marine park.  Once volunteers have been trained, they receive regular updates via a web-based database (updated daily) indicating all the reported lionfish so they can either choose a specific target or see which fish have already been removed.  This posse of lionfishers is made up of Bonaire marine park staff, certain volunteers, and those who have attended a training workshop.

Additionally, the marine park has organized several “lionfish roundups.” This weekend, February 20th and 21st, will be “spreadsheet cleanup roundup” to check old reports, unmarked reports, or to collect, mark, or unmark sites in order to have a better overview of the situation.  It’s important to have a trustworthy database, so the lionfishers can go to the correct sites.  During this roundup, eleven regions along Bonaire’s leeward coast have been targeted for checking and, if possible, removal.

Next weekend, February 27th and 28th, the roundup will concentrate on Washington Slagbaai National Park dive sites.  Those participating will go by boat for two or three dives to remove lionfish in that area.  Saturday, March 6th, the roundup will be conducted in the Karpata Reserve and the Playa Frans Reserve areas.  Lastly, the weekend of March 13th and/or 14th, it will be Klein Bonaire’s turn to host the roundup.

The tourism sector is also jumping in to support the marine park’s efforts.  All dive shops on Bonaire are providing information to their visiting divers, along with markers so divers can mark lionfish locations.  These same dive facilities are also providing free tanks to the posse of lionfishers to help the cause.  Captain Don’s Habitat has taken it one step further:  From March 6th through 13th, Habitat will be hosting the “Lionfish Wrangler Week” with credits for each lionfish found and marked and that ultimately is removed from the environment.  The first credit received ($120.00) can be used on any diving fees during the Lionfish Wrangler Week.  Additional credits after the first ($60.00 each) can be used on future Bonaire trips.  During this week, there will be lionfishers on every boat dive to assist with immediate removal of those lionfish found.  Throughout the week, there will be workshops and lectures on behavior and the potential threat the fish poses to Bonaire and the entire Caribbean.

Noted environmentalist, Dee Scarr, is also lending a helping hand by organizing a meeting for those involved with the fish removal in order to talk, exchange ideas, and brainstorm.  The more people who can be actively involved in this endeavor, the more successful it will be.

Those visitors who will spend an extended time on Bonaire, and who wish to help, are welcome to receive training and join the posse.  Contact the Bonaire Marine Park (717-8444) for information on the next workshop.  Many other visitors who only are on Bonaire for a short time want to know what they can do to help.  First and foremost, please do not try to remove the fish yourself.  It can be dangerous!  Further, once a lionfish is spotted, please limit your activity in the immediate area, this also includes limiting photography.  The reason this is important is these fish learn very quickly that divers (and divers’ bubbles, noise, etc.) mean they might be caught, and they will hide very quickly at the first sign of a human.  It has taken up to six dives in one location to remove one fish which had become sensitized to humans.  When marking a lionfish, place the marker in the sand in the general area, but do not place it right on top of the fish.  Keep your movements slow and unthreatening to avoid sensitizing the fish.

Visitors can be sure to always have a marker in their BCD pocket, and to immediately report any sitings to their dive shop or the marine park.  Those who wish to take it a step further can bring down supplies of wine corks (used in making the markers) and deliver them to the marine park or your dive shop (both plastic corks and real corks work just as well).

In keeping with the community spirit that Bonaire has always exhibited, it’s hoped that the potential negative effects of the Pacific lionfish can be contained by a well coordinated effort by the marine park, Bonaire’s tourism sector, and visiting divers. (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Note Update February 22, 2010: On the first roundup last Saturday, ten additional lionfish were removed. (Source:  Bonaire National Marine Park)

Note Update March 1, 2010: On the second roundup on February 27, an additional 11 lionfish were removed from the waters around Washington Slagbaai National Park, bringing the total number of lionfish removed since October to 130. (Source:  Bonaire National Marine Park)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Next Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce their next Instructor Development Course (IDC) will begin on June 7th and continue through June 15th, 2010 for those looking to become a professional diver with teaching capabilities. The Instructor Exam conducted by PADI will immediately follow on June 16th and 17th.

Dive Friends will be offering the new E-Learning option for this IDC, which allows candidates to save time and travel expenses by taking advantage of home-study methods.  They then may report to the IDC on the third day (June 9th, 2010), for completion of the program with Dive Friend’s course director.  E-Learning is easy; all candidates must do is login to PADI’s web site at www.padi.com and click on E-Learning.  Enter the dive center’s number, and follow instructions. PADI’s cost for E-Learning is $320.00 per candidate.  Once all candidates are on Bonaire and in sessions together, the new IDC format will focus upon workshops and interaction, while utilizing the new PADI Guide to Teaching.

Concurrent with the IDC course, Dive Friends Bonaire will also offer Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor, Staff Instructor, and an option for Staff Instructor with an internship at the dive facility.  Costs for these courses are:

· Full IDC (no E-Learning), $1299.00

· E-Learning IDC, $999.00

· Emergency First Response Instructor, $199.00

· Staff Instructor, $599.00

· Staff Instructor with one year’s internship, no charge.

Additionally, for those who would like to attain the professional rating of Instructor, but do not yet have a Divemaster rating, Dive Friends Bonaire offers a Divemaster Internship for $999.00, which can be done prior to the IDC.  All rates are in U.S. Dollars; books and PADI’s fees are additional.

Dive Friends Bonaire can assist with on-island arrangements, such as accommodations or vehicle rental, for those coming to the island for the IDC/IE.  Those interested in participating in the IDC may visit http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/idc.html for additional information, or contact Dive Friends Bonaire directly by email by clicking here for pricing and eligibility requirements.

Monday, February 15, 2010

New Bat Species Discovered on Bonaire

A species of bat, the Davy’s Naked Backed Bat (scientific name:  Pteronotus davyi), has been recently found living on Bonaire.  This brings the number of bat species on Bonaire to eight different types.

This bat species was discovered by Fernando Simal, manager of Washington Slagbaai National Park.  This particular species was not known to inhabit Bonaire in the past; it is a small insect-eating, cave-dwelling bat and is found throughout South and Central America, including Trinidad, but not Tobago.  It’s not yet reported on other Antillean islands.

All bats are important to the island’s ecology, as, not only do they consume a multitude of mosquitoes, but they also pollinate fruits and cacti, which then provide food for other species.  Unfortunately, due to development and disturbances of their cave habitats, the numbers of bats on Bonaire are dwindling.  (Source:  Extra Bonaire)

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Bonaire’s Karnival Season Coming to a Close

One of the major highlights of the Karnival season each year is the Grand Parade, held the weekend just prior to Ash Wednesday.  The parade is held in Rincon on Saturday, followed by a repeat performance in Kralendijk on Sunday.  Images from this year’s Grand Karnival Parade are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here. 

Each year, the various groups who perform in Karnival come up with new and innovative themes.  And this year’s parade was no exception as colorful and playful costumes paraded by the onlookers.  There’s just a few more days to the Karnival season, so if you haven’t yet enjoyed the festivities, be sure to be in Kralendijk this afternoon!  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter, images courtesy of Elly Albers and Evert Bleijenberg)