Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Bonaire’s Divers Asked to Assist in Flamingo Tongue Study

In recent weeks it’s been noticed that the normal population of flamingo tongues has blossomed.  CIEE is interested in data on the numbers and locations of these mollusks in Bonaire’s waters.  If you are interested in spending a few minutes at the end of your dive recording data on the number of flamingo tongues, CIEE has created data sheets for you to use. 

The goal is to learn more about the types of soft corals the flamingo tongues are eating and how many mollusks are on each soft coral that you see.  Those interested in helping out may stop by the research station at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26 to pick up a waterproof data sheet (open Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM).  When diving, please record data in pencil, and when back from the dive, simply copy or scan the data sheet, then drop it off or email it to CIEE.  You can reuse the sheets by erasing the data with a normal eraser. 

Here’s how the research should be done:  During the last ten minutes of your dive, swim from 30’ (10m) toward the shallow water, in a zig zag pattern, recording information on each soft coral that you see.  There are diagrams on the data sheet that you can use to determine the type.  Then you will categorize the number of flamingo tongue mollusks you see on each soft coral and put a tick/check mark on the data sheet that describes both the type of coral and number of mollusks.  Each soft coral should be recorded, even if there are no mollusks present.  There are four types of soft coral and give groups of mollusks by number (click here to view an example in PDF format). (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)