Nature

News about Bonaire Nature

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)

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)

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)

Friday, February 12, 2010

Bonaire’s Lora (Parrot) Population on the Rise

There’s good news for Bonaire’s endemic parrot population, as it appears from a recent lora (Papiamentu for parrot) count, that the numbers of this bird are on the rise.  Preliminary results from this year’s annual count show that there are now approximately 800 parrots around Bonaire, although this number can still change due to a more detailed analysis of the data collected.  It’s thought that the increase over previous years’ counts (about 650 to 700 parrots) is due to better protection and education.

This year’s census was the fifteenth count since 1980, and it was organized by Fundashon Salba Nos Lora (Save our Parrots), STINAPA, and DROB (Department of the Environment and Nature).  During this year’s count, dozens of volunteers simultaneously counted the birds in 27 different locations around Bonaire, including parts of Washington Slagbaai National Park.  Censuses from the past two years indicated lower numbers of lora, but these numbers could be affected by heavy rains received on the island during December and January of those years, as the normal behavior of the lora is changed during rainy periods.  This year, rains have been much more sparse, and many lora which normally stay in uninhabited areas of Bonaire are coming in toward neighborhoods in order to find more food.  Therefore, including some of these areas in the census provides a more accurate count.

All lora on Bonaire have been protected since 2002.  That year, any parrots in captivity, more than 620 birds, were registered and provided with an identification band.  Fundashon Salba Nos Lora has had education campaigns running since 2002, and it is hoped that as a result, fewer birds are poached or killed.  Although many Bonaireans are proud of the island’s nature, including the lora, not all are happy with the increased population of this rare parrot. Loras do not differentiate between native fruit-bearing trees in the non-residential areas or between planted fruit trees on a kunuku (farm) or gardens.  But, like all animals, lora are driven by hunger and sometimes the environment simply does not provide enough.  On Bonaire, one reason is that in past times, the island’s trees were felled, including fruit trees that would have provided such food.

To assist with this problem, last year, nearly 130 native fruit-bearing trees were planted in non-residential areas.  As these trees mature, they will provide more food for Bonaire’s bird population, thus giving the lora less of an incentive to come into residential areas and be considered less of a pest due to destruction of crops.  It’s hoped that Bonaire’s special lora can thrive independently and in harmony with the human population of the island. (Source:  Fundashon Salba Nos Lora)

Monday, January 18, 2010

CIEE Bonaire Announces New Lectures in January and February, 2010

CIEE has announced two new upcoming lectures in their continuing series of free, community-oriented presentations on Bonaire’s natural world.

The first will take place on Thursday, January 28th at 7:00 PM, and will be given by Dr. Sam Williams, University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.  He will speak on factors affecting the abundance and distribution of the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot (Amazona barbadensis) on Bonaire.

The second presentation will be conducted in conjunction with Stichting Kibrahacha, and it will be held on Friday, February 5th at 7:00 PM.  The topic will be trees and reforestation on Bonaire, and the presenter is Dr. Dolfi Debrot, Director of CARMABI (Caribbean Research and Management on Biodiversity in Curaçao).  Dr. Debrot has more than ten year’s experience with reforestation and planting of rare endemic trees on Curaçao and Bonaire. The last few years he has been planting trees on Klein Bonaire and in Washington Slagbaai National Park in collaboration with STINAPA.  Dr. Debrot has put together a splendid presentation with photographs of rare trees. This presentation also addresses the impact of feral ungulates on the vegetation. It shows how the bio-diversity can be increased by regeneration and reforestation.

Both lectures will take place at the CIEE Research Station Bonaire, Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  All are welcome and admission is free.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

CIEE Begins Mangrove Study at Lac Bay

Recently, work has begun on the construction of “exclusion” cages that will be placed along Kaminda di Sorobon as part of a year-long study to determine the possible impacts of grazing and trampling by goats and donkeys on mangrove habitat. The cages are designed to deter grazing and trampling by fencing off small areas (1 meter square).  The cages are constructed of polyethylene mesh attached to small diameter poles and the height of the cages will be such to prevent grazing from above.

Once the cages are built, regular sampling will assess the plant density and biomass within the cages as well as invertebrate presence and sediment characteristics.

The study is being conducted by Dr. Amanda Hollebone of the CIEE Research Station Bonaire and Scott Hausmann, a retired US wetland expert, with approval of STINAPA and the government of Bonaire.  For additional information on the study please contact CIEE Research Station Bonaire.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

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)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sea Turtles of Bonaire is the Subject of the Next CIEE Public Lecture

The next public lecture in the current series offered by Bonaire’s CIEE Research Station will be conducted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009.

Bonaire’s own Bruce Brabec will present this lecture, focusing upon information about Bonaire’s sea turtle population.  Bruce is the current president of STCB (Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire), and so he is well versed in all aspects of the island’s turtles.

The lecture will be given at the CIEE headquarters at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  All are welcome, and, as usual, admission is free.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Note update Friday, October 30th, 2009: Our apologies for not including important information!  This lecture will begin at 7:00 PM.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

It’s Official--The Lionfish Has Arrived in Bonaire’s Waters

Yesterday, two recreational divers found a juvenile lionfish at the northern dive site, Nukove.  As requested by STINAPA, they mapped the location and shot confirming video, and then reported the sighting to the Bonaire National Marine Park.

The rangers moved into action and immediately went to the site to remove the fish.  The divers’ map was excellent, and rangers were able to immediately locate the fish for capture.

The spread of the lionfish through the Caribbean has been viewed as a scourge, but there is hope for Bonaire, as the average Bonaire diving visitor is better informed than in nearly any other dive destination in the Caribbean or Atlantic.  This has been proved by REEF statistics which state that Bonaire supplies over 16,000 of the 100,000+ dive surveys in this region, which includes the Atlantic, and which is just over 16% of the total.  This statistic is remarkable and may prove to be to Bonaire’s benefit if the island’s visiting divers can keep sighting lionfish so that Marine Park rangers may capture them and remove them from the local habitat. (Source:  Bonaire Talk, Jerry Ligon)

Note Update October 28, 2009: The Bonaire National Marine Park received a second call with a lionfish sighting on Tuesday, October 27th.  This one was a larger individual and was located just south of the dive site, Something Special.  By 3:00 PM the same day, Din and Joi of the marine park rangers were able to locate and capture this second individual.  All divers are asked to keep their eyes open and immediately alert STINAPA/Bonaire National Marine Park if they see any lionfish.  Divers should do their best to map the site and note the depth, and images and/or video are also helpful.  (Source:  Bonaire National Marine Park)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Clear Skies Over Bonaire Are Perfect for Viewing Meteor Showers

The Orionid meteor shower is the second of two showers that occur each year as a result of Earth passing through dust released by Halley’s Comet, with the first being the Eta Aquarids. The point from where the Orionid meteors appear to radiate is located within the constellation Orion.

The Orionid generally begin on October 15 and end on October 29, with maximum generally occurring during the morning hours of October 20-22. The Orionid are barely detectable on the beginning and ending dates, but observers in the Northern Hemisphere will see around 20 meteors per hour at maximum, while observers in the Southern Hemisphere will see around 40 meteors per hour. The maximum can last two or three nights, although there is evidence of some fluctuation from year to year.

There are other, weaker meteor showers going on around the same time as the Orionid. The Orionid generally appear to move fast. When you see a meteor, mentally trace it backward. If you end up at Orion then you have probably seen an Orionid meteor!

Best viewing on Bonaire will be away from Kralendijk, or other residential areas, in locations which do not have any light pollution.  For additional information, click here.  (Source:  Meteor Showers Online)