Monday, July 13, 2009

CIEE Announces Public Lecture Tonight on Bonaire’s Banded Box Jelly

CIEE will hold another informative lecture this evening at their headquarters at 7:00 PM. Tonight’s guest speaker will be William ("Bud") Gillan, biologist, teacher, Smithsonian consultant, and jellyfish and fire ant sting researcher.

Bud will be discussing the “Bonaire Banded Box Jelly:  A Magnificent New Species of Cubozoan.” The new species has a real name thanks to the 2009 Year of Science BBBJ Naming Contest.  Tonight’s discussion will cover how a brand new species is validated through genetics, nematocysts, morphology, documentation, and cladistics.  The wider worldwide picture of “Jellies Gone Wild” will be discussed along with stings, citizen science, and Irukandji’s new cousin.

The talk will be held at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26.  All are welcome and entrance is free. (Source:  CIEE)

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Days of Service Change for Delta Flights to Bonaire

The Bonaire Insider has received information that the planned new Delta flight to Bonaire on Fridays, scheduled to begin in October, 2009, was not booking well, and so Delta has made some changes to their Bonaire flight schedule to encourage additional bookings.

Instead of the departing flight from Atlanta on Friday evening, with a return flight departing Bonaire on Saturday, Delta will instead operate a round-trip rotation on Sunday, with the same time schedule as the popular Saturday flight. The Friday night flight has been canceled. Effective Saturday, July 11, a Sunday rotation will be added to the schedule.

The changes have not been made to the schedule yet.  The inventory has been removed for the flights that are to be canceled, but the flights still show up in a schedule display.  The schedules will be updated with these changes this Saturday, July 11th. 

Additionally, the resumption of the seasonal JFK-BON flight is now scheduled for December 19th. 

Delta also plans to upgrade the equipment on the Saturday ATL-BON flights between November 7 and 21, 2009 to a 767, which can handle additional passengers from the JFK and the Friday Atlanta flights.

Those passengers holding reservations on the Delta Friday flight from Atlanta are encouraged to contact Delta starting this Sunday to re-book new flights with the revised schedule.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant Launches “All-You-Can-Eat” Grill on Tuesdays and Saturdays

Patagonia Restaurant, popular for their Argentinean-prepared meats, fish, and chicken dishes, has just announced they are launching a new All-You-Can-Eat Grill dinner.

The special All-You-Can-Eat grill will be held each Saturday and Tuesday nights and will be available in addition to the regular menu.  Cost is only $20.00 per person, plus sales tax.  The special menu will include beef, chicken, pork, along with different kind of salads.  Reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment and can be made by calling 717-7725 or email by clicking here. (Source:  Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant)

Note Update November 3, 2009: Tuesdays and Saturdays are now returning to the regular menu at Patagonia Restaurant. (Source:  Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant)

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

STINAPA and Bonaire National Marine Park Host the Reef Resilience and Climate Change Workshop

Always setting the standard for innovative ideas on how to manage and conserve the region’s rich diversity in marine life, the Bonaire National Marine Park and STINAPA recently hosted a workshop for reef managers from the Caribbean basin. The “Reef Resilience and Climate Change Workshop” was conducted as part of the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Bonaire National Marine Park. 

The four-day workshop for marine park managers, reserve managers, coral scientists, and other interested stakeholders was designed to increase the ability of coral reef managers to anticipate and respond to the impacts of climate change. The participants learned about the concept and components of resilience, the basics of climate change, early warning systems to forecast coral bleaching events, management strategies, and planning tools to help coral reefs survive future bleaching events, the principles of resiliency relevant to designing marine protected areas, and developing bleaching response plans. The participants also conducted a field exercise on monitoring for resiliency.

The workshop included 27 participants from Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, Tobago Cays, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Croix, and Mexico.  Additionally, seven instructors from the United States, Australia, Kenya, and Bonaire also attended the workshop.

Our climate (temperature, precipitation, and wind) is changing, due directly to human activity. Coral reefs are already affected, and will continue to be affected by these changes. One change is the rising water temperatures which stress the corals and causes them to bleach. Fortunately nature has the capacity to recover. Coral colonies may bleach and partially or entirely die, but a resilient coral community recovers to its former state. The resilient reefs, thus the reefs that are good at recovering, should be managed to maintain conditions that support coral recruitment and recovering.  During this workshop, managers were exposed to different tools and concepts that can be used to improve recovery after a bleaching event. Some of these tools include monitoring for resilience, early warning systems, managing for resilience, communications, and bleaching response plans. A marine park manager can also try to help the reefs by minimizing extra stress factors, like overfishing, overloading of nutrients, and coastal construction. So, even though the impact of climate change is huge, our coral reef managers can still make a difference in the survival of our reefs.

The workshop was developed by NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the World Bank/Global Environment Facility’s Coral Reef Targeted Research program.  Funding and logistical support for this workshop was provided by NOAA Coral Reef Watch, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and STINAPA Bonaire. Funding for coffee breaks was provided by EchoEarth International (founded by the Cousteau siblings) and Dr. George Buckley and Harvard University’s Environmental Management Extension Program.  Special thanks go to Jack Chalk and the staff at Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire for their hospitality.  (Source:  STINAPA)

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Everyone Is Welcome to Join the Underwater Cleanup This Saturday, July 11, 2009

The next underwater cleanup will take place at Bonaire’s boat anchorage on Saturday, July 11, 2009.  All interested participants should meet at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine at 1:00 PM. 

Everyone is welcome, and those not diving can also help, since shore support is always needed.  All participants are welcome to return at 5:00 PM at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine for the event’s customary BBQ; drinks and main courses will be provided by Dive Friends and NetTech, but participants are asked to bring a side dish to share.

Please note that there is a beach cleanup at Klein Bonaire on World Cleanup Day in September, and therefore the traditional September underwater cleanup will not be held the same day, so as not to cause a conflict between two cleanups.  Therefore, this Saturday is the last opportunity for this year to pitch in and help keep Bonaire’s reefs beautiful.

For additional information about the cleanups, click here. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V.)

Monday, July 06, 2009

There’s Upcoming Beach Culture, Windsurfing Events, and Fun at Lac Bay, Bonaire

The island of Bonaire will be hosting two exciting windsurfing events between July 12 and 19, 2009, the Bonaire Slalom Worlds and the Pro Kids Freestyle Competition. 

Although the Pro Kids Freestyle event has been held annually over the past several years, the Bonaire Slalom Worlds is new to the island in 2009.  There will be variety of events, parties, concerts, cultural nights, and competitions throughout the week.  The majority of events will be held at the event site at Sorobon, Lac Bay, but it’s always best to call (796-2288) to check as some locations will be in other areas of the island.  (Source:  Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations)

Friday, July 03, 2009

African Dust Can Affect Caribbean Corals

African dust has been implicated in various negative effects on coral reefs in the Caribbean.  The dust brings in iron, which may be driving an increase in algae growth, and it may also be bringing pesticide dust, other airborne pollution, or even new coral diseases.

This dust is not new; it has always been around, forming an important source of fertile soil in the Caribbean.  But with increasing desertification in Africa, as well as increasing use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture in that area of the world, it certainly bears attention now.

A number of operational products have been generated in the past few years to monitor African dust and minerals transported across the Atlantic and beyond. These aerosols are transported within a unique and detectable air mass, termed the Saharan Air Layer. The Saharan Air Layer, or SAL, is a relatively deep layer of very warm, dry air originating over the Sahara, and typically extends from about 5,000 feet often to as high as 18,000-20,000 feet.

The SAL circulates around the periphery of the cyclonic circulations over the African continent that develop into tropical waves, and then moves out ahead of the tropical waves as they exit the west coast.  Jason Dunion and the folks at NOAA HRD and Chris Veldon of CIMSS (U of Wisc-Madison) among other colleagues, have developed a satellite product, using channel differencing, to detect these very dry air masses moving across the Atlantic (view data by clicking here).

This product depicts areas of dry air, not the dust/minerals itself. Dust content suspended within the SAL can further be defined using NOAA aerosol thickness products found here.

An animation of the SAL imagery, as well as the static optical thickness product, can reveal the SAL and dust circulating cyclonically around the vortices or broad areas of low pressure associated with tropical waves exiting African and transiting the Atlantic. It is the mid-level steering currents across the Atlantic that influence the trajectory of the SAL and dust, and this can very inter-seasonally, as well as annually. 2006 and 2007 were dominated by a strong and broad high pressure ridge across the Atlantic, and a strong mid-level African Easterly Jet that transported much SAL and much dust across the basin.

These strong mid-level winds also act to induce increased wind shear in the vertical, which has a negating effect on tropical cyclone development, and also influence the strength of the low level and potentially surface wind flow across the Atlantic.  Prolonged periods of strong trade winds across the Atlantic produce upwellings and thus cooler surface water temperatures. The dust has been shown to reflect incoming solar radiation, which also has a slight limiting effect on surface warming. All of these factors combine cumulatively to make tropical cyclone formation more difficult to occur; in general, the stronger the jet, the more SAL and associated dust is transported.

The SAL and dust typically do not produce a continuous plume or stream, but generally are seen in more broken broad zones exiting Africa with and ahead of each tropical wave, every 2.5 to 6 days.  Hundreds of millions of tons of African dust are transported annually from the Sahara and Sahel to the Caribbean and southeastern U.S.  Various peaks in the dust record, at Barbados and elsewhere in the western Atlantic, coincide with benchmark events on reefs throughout the Caribbean.

The mechanisms by which dust may affect reefs include deposition of nutrients or pollutants that may:

1) Interfere with a coral’s immune system, making it more susceptible to disease pathogens
2) Interfere with some stage in reproduction (gamete production, fertilization, settling, larval survival)
3) Induce pathogenicity in a microorganism in the reef environment
4) Trigger a rapid increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms
5) Fuel macro-algae or phytoplankton growth, as has been shown for Red Tides in the Gulf of Mexico
6) Directly deposit pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., Aspergillus sydowii, the fungus that causes sea fan disease throughout the western Atlantic)

Additional information about this phenomenon can be found by clicking here. (Source:  VOMIL, NOAA-NWS, USGS)

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

There’s Sizzlin’ Summer Savings Available Now on Trips to Bonaire

Summer’s here and it’s time for fun! The savings are sizzlin’, so take advantage of the deals available now on dive vacations to Bonaire! (All prices are quoted in US dollars).

Caribbean Adventures World Dive is offering a 10% discount on any published rate for Belmar Bonaire Dive and Drive package, or 5% off any Caribbean Club package. All group members receive resort T-shirts. For more information, visit www.worlddive.com, or call 1-800-433-3483.

H2O tours and Bonaire Seaside Apartments are offering the 6th & 7th night free! Book your 7 night dive package for travel from June 20 through December 18, 2009. Package includes:
-- 7 night accommodations
-- 6 days unlimited shore diving
-- Tanks, weights and belts
-- Rental truck
-- Hotel tax & service
-- Complimentary upgrade to NITROX with proof of NITROX certification. Prices begin at $544 per person (based on 6 divers in a 3 bedroom villa).
For more information, visit www.h2otours.net, call 1-866-480-3483.

Scuba Dive Bonaire Buddy Dive Resort Package: A PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Resort that keeps the needs of divers in mind, Buddy’s is a resort where you can dive, dive, dive, take part in a multitude of other available activities, or just sit back, relax, and enjoy the casual atmosphere and personable staff. Package includes:
-- 7 nights 2-bedroom accommodations
-- 6 days of 1-tank dives
-- Free Nitrox
-- 7 day rental vehicle
-- Round trip transfers
-- Taxes and service charges
Valid for travel September 1-25, 2009 and November 28 to December 18, 2009. Prices begin at $807 per person quad occupancy (competitive airfare available). Click here for more details. For more information, visit www.caradonna.com, or call 1-800-328-2288.

There’s a great deal with Maduro Travel at Captain Don’s Habitat for adult divers traveling with kids during summer. The “Home of Diving Freedom” on Bonaire is offering kids 16 and under a free stay and dive package when sharing accommodations with a paying adult. Kids who are certified receive the same dive package as the paying adults and non-diving kids receive a free introductory scuba course or 4 open water dives if doing a completion referral course. (Minimum 7-night stay required, 1 kid per each paying adult, maximum 2 kids with 2 paying adults, meals and marine park fee not included, and kids still subject to $6.58 nightly TIL tax.) 7-night dive packages start at $1168 per adult and include accommodations in a 1-bedroom bungalow, welcome rum punch, buffet breakfast daily, 6 single-tank boat dives, 6 days of 24-hour unlimited shore diving, taxes, service charges and energy surcharge.  Kids special valid through August 29, 2009; Singles special Aug 29 – Sep 26, 2009 and 2 Free nights Nov 28 – Dec 19, 2009. Some restrictions apply; call for details, availability and pricing. For more information, visit www.HabitatBonaire.com, or call 1-800-327-6709.

Den Laman is offering specially reduced rates to solo travelers vacationing between August 29 and September 25, 2009 when studio condominiums are only $85 per night and one-bedrooms only $150 per night (excluding government room tax.) Discounted rates apply to single occupancy only.  During this time, all vacationers—single, double, triple, or quad—receive a 7th night free with 6 nights paid (must pay government room tax only.) Divers can also take advantage of this special by paying for 5 days of diving and receiving the 6th day free and free Nitrox upgrades!  Den Laman features 16 fully air-conditioned studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments and is the location of Fish Eye Photo, Bonaire Dive & Adventure, and the seaside Sunset Bar & Grill Restaurant. For more information, visit www.denlaman.com, or call 1-800-382-1094.

Divi Flamingo and Scuba Travel Ventures are pleased to offer a special coral spawning package during this year’s coral spawning dates.  Included:
-- 7 nights accommodations
-- Airport transfers
-- Buffet breakfast daily
-- Daily 2 tank boat dive
-- Unlimited tanks for shore diving
-- Night “refresher” dive on the Calabas reef with certified instructors
-- 1 free night boat dive during spawning
-- Free lecture and slide show prior to spawning dive
-- Free CD/DVD of underwater footage during spawning dive
-- All taxes and service charges
Pricing, based upon double occupancy, is $950 per person.  Valid on August 8-15, 2009, August 9-16, 2009 (recommended), September 5-12, 2009, September 6-13, 2009 (recommended), October 6-13, 2009 (recommended).  In addition, clients will receive a $50 credit to be used at the resort. For more information, call 1-888-322-3483.

Golden Reef Inn is offering an anniversary special, which includes:
-- Accommodations in condo or villa
-- All Room Taxes
-- Energy Surcharges
-- Free Rum Punch Welcome Cocktail
-- Bonaire “Oasis” Goodie Basket in your apartment
-- Free Unlimited WIFI access
-- Free International Calling
-- Double Cabin Pickup Truck or compact car, including all government taxes & surcharges
-- 10% off all Spa Services
-- 15 Free minutes Internet access at Chat N Browse
-- Unlimited shore diving package including tanks, air, taxes and 24/7 access to tanks and secure gear storage
-- Free unlimited Nitrox upgrade
Rates begin $399.00 per person double occupancy for 8 days, 7 nights (diver), $299.00 per person double occupancy for 8 days, 7 nights (non-diver when staying with a diver), valid now through August 31, 2009.  Payment in full required when booking, some restrictions may apply.  For more information, visit www.goldenreefinn.com.

Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations and Hamlet have teamed up to offer substantial summer savings while Hamlet is renovating their pool.  Book a studio for two starting at $385.00 per week, while one-bedroom units start at $455.00 a week.  Rates do not include $6.50 per person per day tax, service, and departure cleaning. Dive Friends @ Hamlet is on site where 6 days unlimited air is $114.00 per person. This special is valid for travel between August 24 and September 28, 2009.  Prices subject to change and are based on availability.  For more information, visit www.bonairecaribbean.com or call 1-800-219-0118.

Plaza Resort Bonaire is offering group specials for a limited time only!  Early Booking Bonus for 2009 and 2010 includes 2 free nights, 6th day of diving free and free Nitrox.  Plus ask about our single diver incentive!  Group must be deposited within the next 30 days.  With Plaza Resort Bonaire 7th Heaven on 18 Palms package, prices start at $785 per diver, (based on double occupancy), and includes:
-- 7 nights Standard Suite
-- 6 days unlimited shore
-- Safety deposit box, lock & key
-- Tax, service and energy surcharge
-- Round-trip airport transfers
This package is valid now through December 19, 2009. Stay and Dive for free at the Plaza Resort Bonaire. For more information, visit www.islandexpressdivetours.com, or call 1-800-439-0300.

Paragon Travel/SC Travel offers Sand Dollar Condominium Resort’s “Ride to the Reef” package, which includes a multitude of dive goodies and a free NITROX upgrade! Packages start at $804 per person, based on quad occupancy, and $1017 per person based on double occupancy, and include
-- 7 nights accommodation
-- 6 days of unlimited tanks for shore diving plus six one tank boat dives
-- 7 day truck rental
-- Daily buffet breakfast
-- Room tax
Packages in studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom fully equipped condos are available. This package is available now through December 18, 2009. For more information, visit www.ricktaman.com, or call 1-416-461-2432.

(Source:  TCB-NY and Various Bonaire Properties)