Nature

News about Bonaire Nature

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

CIEE’s Spring Semester Students Present Results of Their Reseach

The CIEE Research Station Bonaire would like to invite anyone with an interest to attend the culmination and presentation of research projects of the station’s spring semester’s students.  These presentations will take place over two evenings, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18th, as well as Thursday, April 19th, 2012.

Wednesday’s presentations will include the following:

--“Size, distribution, and behavioral differences between the color morphologies of Trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus” by Devon Chalfant (University of Colorado at Boulder)
--"Diver impact on coral communities: A comparison of sites with varying intensities of diving” by Clare Chisholm (University of Oregon)
--“The effects of damselfish on coral reef benthic composition” by Abbey Elmer (Drake University)
--“Habitat preference of coral dwelling gobies, and the effect of coral disease” by Crystal Wilson (University of New Hampshire)
--“Threespot damselfish gardening and yellow band disease in the Montastrea annularis species complex” by Juli Schroeger (University of North Carolina Wilminton)
--“Incidence of disease in ocean surgeonfish Acanthurus bahianus” by Shelby Penn (Allegheny College)
--“Mating location preference by sergeant majors” by Max Mossler (Arizona State University)

Thursday’s presentations will cover these subjects:

--“Sand Dwelling Organisms in a Coral Reef Environment” by Johnny Appleby (Stockton College)
--“Temporal use of two artificial reef morphologies by coral reef fishes” by Amelie Jensen (Saint Michael’s College)
--"Examining the impact of different grazers on algal biomass” by Catie Alves (Connecticut College)
--“Diel vertical migration and luminescent activity of bioluminescent dinoflagellates” by Juli Pilla (Ursinus College)
--"Comparing fish assemblages of branching artificial reef habitat to adjacent habitats” by Wiley Sinkus (Wofford College)
--"Herbivory and Predation Pressure on Artificial Reefs” by Ashley Marranzino (Regis University)
--"Lionfish Chronobiology” by Hilary Scherer (Occidental College)

Each evening’s presentations will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the CIEE Research Station headquarters at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  All are invited and entrance is free.  (Source:  CIEE)

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

LaTina Divers Offers Week-Long Lionfish Culling and Cooking Event, May 19 through 26, 2012

The invasive Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans), native to the Indo-Pacific Region, were first confirmed in Bonaire on October 26th, 2009. Since then, they have continued to increase in size and abundance occupying a wide range of habitats and depths. Since 2009, the Bonaire National Marine Park has trained numerous volunteers to safely remove lionfish and Bonaire continues to be at the forefront of efforts in the Caribbean region to control these fish.  LaTina Divers is taking this one step further by organizing a week-long lionfish culling and cooking event from May 19 through 26, 2012. 

The six-day dive package includes:

•Six days unlimited air-fills including the use of weights.
•Daily delivery of full tanks to your rental home.
•Full Marine Park orientation and nature fee.
•One 2-tank afternoon lionfish culling boat dive to the sites in Washington Slagbaai National Park.
•One guided east-coast culling dive with THE Bas.
•One guided culling shore night dive.
•Friday afternoon Belgium Beer Happy Hour with lionfish snacks at Bistro de Paris.

Package price is only $395.00 per person with a minimum of two divers and can be booked by those staying at a private rental vacation home or villa.  Those who have booked or will book their accommodations through RE/MAX/Paradise Rentals, will receive a $45.00 discount on the diving package.  Nitrox upgrade is $40.00 per person, but will be provided free of charge for all reservations confirmed and deposited by May 1st, 2012.

Participants who book the package do need to be aware that only registered lionfish hunters will be allowed culling privileges. However, the week’s events will be educational, providing in-depth information on how to remove lionfish properly and humanely, how to clean them and prepare them for cooking, and then of course, there’s the fun of actually eating fresh lionfish at the week’s ending Happy Hour.

For additional information or to book the dive package, visit their web site by clicking here or email info@latinadivers.com.  (Source:  LaTina Divers and CIEE Newsletter)

Monday, April 02, 2012

Coral Spawning Predictions for 2012 Now Available

Many visitors in the months of August, September or October are pleased and surprised to find they are on Bonaire during spawning activities of corals and other invertebrates.  Other visitors plan their trips to Bonaire specifically for the chance to glimpse this unique event. 

Although certainly not an exact science, it is well documented that various species of coral and other marine invertebrates spawn in cycles that are closely tied to the full moons in the months of August, September, and October each year.  After years of studies, we have predictions which are the best guesses as to which species will spawn when.  The best way to enjoy this unusual phenomenon is to plan to spend lots of time making night dives when here during the spawning season.

STINAPA has just added their 2012 spawning predictions to their web site, so if you have a visit planned for the months of August though October this year, do check out the schedule to see if you will be on Bonaire during forecasted spawning times.  Click here (available in PDF format) to view the 2012 predictions schedule.  (Source:  STINAPA web site)

Monday, March 19, 2012

CIEE Bonaire Announces New Lecture Series

Bonaire’s CIEE Research Station has just announced the next three public lectures in its educational series.  All lectures continue to be free and open to all those interested in attending.

The first will be tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 20th, 2012, when Sharon Kegeles of Barry University will speak on “The Bonaire Tourist:  Changing Faces with Changing Needs.” This presentation will focus on increasing public awareness of how the island can help to minimize obstacles in tourism and maximize its visitors’ desires to return as repeat travelers.

Then, on Wednesday, April 4th, 2012, John Claydon, PhD and Marta Calosso, MS, of the research station, will present “Progression of Invasive Lionfish in Seagrass, Mangrove, and Reef Habitats.”

And finally, on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012, Jason Flower, MS, also of the research station, will present “The Life Cycles of Stars.” Look up into the sky on a clear night and you can see about 2000 stars if you are standing in a relatively dark place, much fewer if you are in a city.  The stars you see vary in age from relative youngsters to ancients. During their life, stars go through many changes and these changes can be dramatic and spectacular.  Some of the images of these processes are available on the Internet and TV, such as those taken by the Hubble space telescope.  This lecture will examine the life of stars: their birth, life and the spectacular ways they die.

All lectures begin promptly at 7:00 PM and will last one hour.  They will take place at the CIEE Research Station on Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot.  Seating is limited, so it’s best to get there a bit early.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Marine Park Sanctions Studies Now through June on Herbivore Exclusion Experiments

Lobophora variegata (brown algae) is a common benthic marine macro algae that is naturally occurring on reefs around Bonaire. It possesses the ability to rapidly spread and overgrow live corals. This process is increasingly observed on Caribbean coral reefs, including Bonaire’s reefs. The mechanisms that control the spreading of Lobophora are still poorly understood, which makes it difficult to implement management strategies, and so the Marine Park has sanctioned some research into this matter.

In order to obtain better insight into the mechanisms controlling the dynamics of Lobophora on Bonairean reefs, a series of experiments will be done at two dive sites on Bonaire. One theory is that parrotfish play an important role in regulating Lobophora densities because they graze on the algae. To test this hypothesis, Parrotfish Exclusion Devices (PEDs) will be installed at the dive sites Ol’ Blue and Wayaka II at different depths. There are open and closed cage treatments. The experiments will run until the end of June and the cages will remain on the reef until that time. Divers are kindly requested not to remove/relocate the cages. (Source:  Bonaire National Marine Park)

Saturday, March 03, 2012

CIEE’s Next Free Lecture is Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

In CIEE’s (Council on International Educational Exchange) continuing public lecture series, all are invited to attend a presentation on Tuesday evening, March 6th, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

At this time, Lisa Young, from the Florida Institute of Technology, will present her discussion topic:  Jellyfish:  On the Path to Ocean Domination?

The lecture will be held at CIEE Bonaire Research Station at Kaya Gobernador Debrot 26.  Entrance is free, and everyone is invited to attend.  (Source: CIEE)

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Bonaire’s Donkey Sanctuary Offers Great Photo Opportunities

As digital photography has progressed over the years, it has become very easy for even those who are not trained in photography to get great images from their vacation.  Many visitors to Bonaire now include photography of the island’s flora and fauna as an integral activity on their trips to the island, and a visit to Bonaire’s Donkey Sanctuary provides excellent opportunities to capture the perfect image of these gentle creatures.

The Sanctuary now houses over 400 donkeys, keeping them well fed, watered, and with medical care when needed.  Their new location with the entrance just east of Belnem, on Kaminda Sorobon, offers a gift shop and a “watering hole” for humans, to sit, have a cold drink, and watch the nearby flamingos in the adjoining salina.  But the best part is to take the safari ride through the sanctuary, and if possible, time the visit to follow the feeding truck as it brings food to the donkeys once in the morning and once in the later afternoon.  This reporter was lucky enough to time it perfectly, following in the tracks of the feeding truck, with hundreds of donkeys coming into the area to feed.

There animals are gentle, but curious with humans, and many times they will stick their noses through a car window to see if there are any special treats brought just for them.  It’s certainly fine to stop the car, get out, and walk among the donkeys as they feed, as they will pretty much ignore you when food is prevalent.  This is the best time to get closeups or group shots, as you might have twenty donkeys in the immediate area of your vehicle.

When possible, try to shoot with a slightly upward angle, getting in Bonaire’s famous blue sky as a backdrop.  Take your time, act quietly around the animals, and you will be rewarded with winning images! 

The Donkey Sanctuary is open for visitors daily from 10.00 AM until 5:00 PM.  Visitors must enter no later than 4:00 PM. The safari tour can be done by car, scooter, or bike, or it may be walked. Quads are not allowed.  The entrance fee is $7.00 for adults, children up to 12 pay $3.50.  For additional information on the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Launches New Project to Remove Fishing Line from Bonaire’s Reefs

Fishing line and other fishing tackle can easily end up in the sea when lines become entangled and are cut, and these items can cause serious problems for Bonaire’s resident and visiting sea turtles.  Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) along with the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) has just launched a new project to help in removing these dangerous items from Bonaire’s reefs.

Many times the mono-filament fishing lines remain on the reef, even with hooks still attached.  Sadly, each year, STCB reports how turtles get entangled in fishing lines, which could mean certain death if they can’t free themselves quickly in order to surface to breathe.  Just in the last two months, STCB staff members released two turtles from their perilous position near Port Bonaire.  STCB is now seeking experienced volunteers to dive, snorkel and walk along the coast to remove these materials left behind at sea or along the coast. Upon registration, the volunteers will receive instructions on how to remove this fishing tackle safely. Additionally, several dives will be organized throughout the year to focus on those areas with the most fishing tackle in the water, for instance, around the piers of Kralendijk.  Ninety meters of fishing line was removed near Karel’s Beach Bar on the most recent cleanup dive organized by Dive Friends Bonaire.

Tangler bins, as shown in the image above, are being placed at favorite diving sites and allow for the easy and proper disposal of fishing line or tackle removed from the reef.  STINAPA rangers will empty these bins on a regular basis. STCB also plans to begin an information campaign to advise local fishermen about the dangers of certain fishing methods for the underwater life, as well as for humans.  The organization would like to introduce more environmentally friendly fishing methods, including providing free fish hooks that are friendlier for turtles. As fishing line as yet cannot be recycled on Bonaire, there are plans to have a local artist create a work of art from the collected materials, and which can be displayed in a prominent location.

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire is a non-governmental organization in the field of research and conservation. Since 1991, the organization focuses on protecting the turtles. As a member of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network and associate of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and STINAPA, STCB is a recognized leader in the field of protecting turtles in the waters of the Dutch Caribbean.  It is hoped that this project will serve as model for the other Dutch Caribbean islands as well. (Source:  STCB Web Site)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

CIEE Announces Next Presentation

CIEE’s public presentations provide an ongoing opportunity to learn more more about what is happening with the environment and ecology of Bonaire and its surrounding waters. Tuesday February 28, 2012 is the next presentation and will address another issue related to Caribbean reefs. 

"Algal driven bioerosion on Caribbean coral reefs: a hypothesis” is the title of the next presentation, to be presented by Benjamin Mueller, a marine biologist with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Biological Oceanography. The lecture will be held from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at CIEE, which is located at Kaya Gob. N. Debrot 26. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. (Source: CIEE Bonaire)

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Hiking in Washington Slagbaai National Park--Seeing Bonaire From A New Perspective

For all those visitors who think they have “done it all on Bonaire,” there’s always something new to explore and learn about the island.  Hiking the three trails in Washington Slagbaai National Park is probably something that can be added to the Bonaire bucket lists of the majority of the island’s visitors.

The park has three established hiking trails, with varied levels of difficulty.  Two are accessible from the Park’s entrance area, and the Lagadishi (“Lizard”) Walking Trail is the easiest of all trails. It takes hikers on about a 2-hour walk, over a limestone plateau that provides glimpses of the complete spectrum of Bonairean windward scenery: historic sites, vegetation which has adapted to a dry, salty habitat, sand dunes, mangroves, a salt pan, blow-holes, and a true oceanic beach are some of the components of this trail. Flamingos are frequently seen in the salt pan. This particular trail is easy and most visitors who are accustomed to walking will be able to complete the trail easily.

The remaining two trails are more difficult and should be considered only by those visitors who hike regularly or are in relatively good physical condition.  The Kasikunda Climbing Trail, which also begins at the park’s Visitor Center, is a challenging 45-minute climb to the top of a volcanic hill. Its level of difficulty is high because of the uneven terrain and also the steepness of the climb. However, those who meet this challenge will be rewarded with the best view of the north of Bonaire, all the way from Malmok to Spelonk.

The Subí Brandaris Trail is a 45-minute hike to the highest peak on Bonaire, 241 m (784 feet) high. This is a medium-difficulty climb, and the view from the top is a really fantastic reward for making the trip. On a clear day you can see the island of Curaçao (46 km [30 miles] away from Bonaire), and, on exceptionally clear days, the Santa Ana Hill in the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela, and the mountain range south of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela are visible, too.  Unlike the other trails, the Subí Brandaris trail does not start at the Visitor Center/entrance; hikers will need a vehicle to enter the park and take them to the base of the hill.  To climb Brandaris, hikers are required to enter the park before noon.

As with any outdoor activity in the tropics, it’s recommended to begin your hike early in the morning, when cooler temperatures prevail and the resident animals are more active and likely to be seen.  Always bring sunscreen and water, and good hiking shoes are also a necessity.  But those visitors who spend some time hiking Washington Slagbaai National Park will be rewarded with memories of vistas unlike anything else on Bonaire.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter, STINAPA Web Site, photos by Elly Albers and Susan Davis)