SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Issue 20, January 2017 | Page 41

conservation workshops and experience with Coral Reef CPR scientists that supports the ongoing research program in the Maldives.

2. An alternate live-aboard experience- protect the reefs!

From May 13-21 2017, divers can also join a special 7 day live-aboard dive excursion that will focus solely on the removal of crown of thorns starfish (COTS). Two boats from the Carpe Diem Fleet (Carpe Diem and Carpe Vita) will be deployed to atolls where there are ongoing population explosions of the voracious coral-eating starfish (Acanthaster plancii). Divers will be trained in low-tech methods to collect the starfish. Each buddy team will receive large mesh goody bags, gloves, and PVC pipes for the collection of the starfish. Each time they fill up a bag, they will send it to the surface using a safety sausage, and bags will be collected by the boat crew for disposal. Concurrently, they will aid the scientists in the collection of valuable data and samples of the starfish tube feet, so we can better understand their origin and work towards devising a strategy to prevent future outbreaks. The cost for this opportunity is 750 USD pp (supplement 100 USD for upper deck cabin) and includes food, government taxes, ensuite cabin and a contribution to coral reef conservation.

Coral gardening research missions – a very hands-on conservation opportunity

In response to a devastating El Niño event that peaked in April/May 2016, Coral Reef CPR has begun implementing approaches to rejuvenate badly damaged coral reefs. Throughout the country branching, staghorn and table corals (mostly Acropora spp.) were killed as the water temperatures heated above 31-32˚ C. We have identified some survivors of the bleaching event, what we call ‘super corals’ because they are resilient and did not bleach this year. These identified corals include broken branches and fragments that have accumulated on the reef slope and bases of the reef, as well as certain reefs that resisted bleaching. We are using small branches from these corals in our coral nurseries, producing new colonies that we will eventually transplant back onto damaged reefs.

A small team, including two volunteer divers, will work directly with our highly experienced scientists to establish and expand coral nurseries, help maintain the nurseries and monitor the survival and growth of the corals. The divers will learn how to fragment corals, attach them to the nursery materials, and measure and photograph them. This will include additional opportunities to participate in low-tech efforts to eliminate coral predators, and exploratory dives to identify and characterize surrounding reefs. Trips would be from 2 to 3 weeks. Divers would be based for half the time on South Malé Atoll and the second half on Baa Atoll. Divers are provided with lodging, meals, dive equipment rental and all transfers from the airport, including a sea plane ride. The divers are responsible for their airfare to the Maldives and a portion of the research costs provided to Coral Reef CPR (approximately 2000 USD per person for three weeks). This is ideal if you want to gain hands-on conservation experience, and really contribute to saving Maldivian coral reefs while working at these beautiful resorts.

For more information please visit www.coralreefcpr.org or contact us directly at [email protected] to express interest.

January 2017 - Sustainable Tourism

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