DCNA

Each year, hawksbill and green turtles, and sometimes even leatherback turtles, come to the beaches of Statia to lay their eggs. New protocols, developed by two research students from Van Hall Larenstein University, will aid in STENAPA’s ability to accurately and safely track sea turtle beach activity and hatchling success in the future.

Three different types of turtles can be found on the beaches and in the surrounding waters of St. Eustatius: the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). The hawksbill and green turtle are frequent visitors of the waters of Statia and can be encountered during snorkeling or diving. Every year, nesting hawksbill and green turtles can be found on the beaches. A less frequent visitor is the leatherback turtle. They can only be spotted while nesting since the leatherback is a deep-sea species. Occasionally, a nest of a Leatherback turtle can be found on St. Eustatius.

 

Hawksbill sea turtle. Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

Monitoring

STENAPA monitors the beaches, both morning and night, to identify new nests and track hatching success. The details and information from these beach patrols are collected by filling in data sheets. Those data sheets can be used internationally for the purpose of having comparable data.  Annemieke Borsch and Louise Kramár, two students from Van Hall Larenstein University, recently produced protocols as part of an explanatory report in cooperation and guidance from STENAPA. These protocols cover morning patrol, night patrol and next excavation while the whole report can be used as a guide for how to perform certain tasks in a correct, safe and careful way during patrols.

Importance of data collection

Data collection on turtles is important because it gives information on the status of the species. Baseline information can become important when a new factor comes into play, to see what the effect of the factor is. Besides this, the data collection gives insight in the population trends, if it is declining or growing. It also makes it possible to detect diseases or parasites in a population in an early state. The data collection is also important to get to know the species better, for example habitat, food source and breeding grounds, to protect these necessary factors for the turtles.

Green sea turtle. Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

Why turtles need protection

The green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles are on the IUCN red list of endangered species. The green turtle is listed as ‘’endangered’’ and the hawksbill and leatherback turtles are listed as ‘’critically endangered’’. Sea turtles need protection because they are keystone species. This means, that they are an important part of the marine environment and have an influence on the species living among them. Hawksbill turtles live close to the coral reefs, where they feed on sponges which compete with corals for space. Green turtles are important because they feed on seagrass, which keeps the seagrass ecosystem healthy meaning it can take up more carbon and sustain more species this way. Leatherback turtles are known to control the number of jellyfish in the oceans. Besides the ecological benefits, the turtles are also important for coastal communities, since many people rely on the incomes that are being provided by turtle watching and diving. Some indigenous communities see turtles as a part of their culture and there is said that seeing a turtle in the wild has psychological and emotional benefits.

How to support

There are several ways to contribute to the conservation of sea turtles on Statia. If you are interested in helping, STENAPA offers both part- and full-time volunteering programs (for more information contact volunteer@statiapark.org and/or check out https://www.statiapark.org/vacancies-turtle-program/). Together with the National Parks Staff you can take part in the in-water surveys conducted throughout the Marine Park. If scuba diving is not possible, staff are happy to provide training for beach patrols so that you would be able to assist in the monitoring of nesting turtles on the beaches. Since the turtles are protected, people are not allowed to disturb them. This is the reason why you should contact STENAPA if you want to be involved and not go looking for turtles by yourself.

STENAPA needs volunteers especially for the patrols since it is necessary to be done a few times a week during nesting season. Their wish is for the (local) volunteers to be able to patrol as independently as possible with the help from instructions and the protocols guiding them.

 

More information

To learn more about STENAPA and the turtle species on St. Eustatius you can go to the website: www.statiapark.org. If you are interested in protocols about morning and night patrols and the nest-excavations, send your request to STENAPA.

 

Published in BioNews 54

Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below

 

Ocean charity makes initial grant of $90,000 to marine parks on six Dutch Caribbean islands. Award will fund projects including coral protection, and training youth marine rangers. 

Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

Ocean conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation has announced it is awarding $90,000 in funding to support marine conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. A range of projects run by protected area management organisations on six islands will each receive a grant of $15,000. The funding is the first step in a longer-term partnership to support the islands and help secure sustainable financing through the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Trust fund. 

To improve ocean governance, Blue Marine uses a combination of top-down intervention and bottom-up project delivery to help local communities at the front line of conservation. It will work together with the DCNA to help marine-park organisations protect the unique and threatened biodiversity of the Dutch Caribbean. 

The new partnership is an important development in the successful management of marine conservation parks in the Dutch Caribbean. The UK-based charity has established a small-grants fund to provide rapid access to support for critical conservation projects run by marine parks. 

The individual projects and their local partners are:  

• Aruba: monitoring water quality in its Marine Protected Area (MPA) and wetlands, in conjunction with Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) 

• Bonaire: assessing losses of stony corals (Acroporids e.g. staghorn and elkhorn coral), and their potential future recovery, in conjunction with Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA Bonaire) 

• Curaçao: establishing a bus transport marine education program and youth marine ranger program, in conjunction with Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI)  

• Saba: provision of a climate control room for the new marine field station, in conjunction with the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF). 

• Sint Eustatius: assessing the health of coral, the abundance of fish life and the diversity of reefs, in conjunction with St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) 

• St Maarten: monitoring marine habitats, in conjunction with Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM)
   

Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

 

Unique ecosystems on the islands are vulnerable to threats such as feral livestock causing sedimentation on reefs, and invasive species, including lionfish and coral diseases. They are also at risk from overfishing, climate change, coastal development, erosion and the build-up of harmful algae caused by waste water. 

The islands of the Dutch Caribbean are also home to important “blue carbon” habitats – ocean ecosystems such as seagrasses, mangroves and other marine plants that suck up and lock away carbon from the earth’s atmosphere. Seagrass is so efficient at this it can capture and store carbon dioxide up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. The management and protection of these blue carbon habitats is vital in the fight against climate change.  

Current marine conservation measures in the islands include a 25,390 square km mammal and shark sanctuary- Yarari sanctuary- across the Exclusive Economic Zone of Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius. All six islands have inshore Marine Protected Areas ranging in size from 10 to 60 sq km.  

Blue Marine’s Senior Project Manager Jude Brown commented: 

Having recently visited two of the islands, I witnessed first-hand how special this region is. Diving the waters off Saba I saw huge Tarpon swimming amongst shoals of blue tang, and hawksbill turtles feeding on the seagrass beds. I also witnessed the challenges these islands are facing from coral disease to issues with coastal development. It is an exciting opportunity to work in the Dutch Caribbean, bringing expertise and funding from Blue Marine to join with the wealth of knowledge already on the islands, to work together to protect the important marine life arounds these islands.

Tadzio Bervoets, Director of the DNCA commented: “The Dutch Caribbean consists of the Windward Islands of St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius and the Leeward Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. The nature of the Dutch Caribbean contains the richest biodiversity in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The diverse ecosystems are a magnet for tourism and at the same time the most important source of income for residents of the Dutch Caribbean. Nature on the islands is unique and important but it is also fragile. The coming week we will be in The Netherlands to present a Climate Action Plan for the Dutch Caribbean to emphasize the urgent need for a climate smart future for our islands.”  

 

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Nederlands

Blue Marine Foundation lanceert nieuwe samenwerking met Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance

“Goed doel voor oceanen schenkt aanvankelijk $90.000 aan mariene parken op zes Nederlands-Caribische eilanden. Deze donatie zal verschillende projecten financieren, waaronder bescherming van koralen en het opleiden van jonge mariene park rangers.

Foto: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

De Blue Marine Foundation, een liefdadigheidsorganisatie voor het behoud van oceanen, heeft aangekondigd dat het $ 90.000 aan financiering toekent ter ondersteuning van het behoud van de zee in het Nederlands Caribisch gebied. Verschillende projecten die worden uitgevoerd door de organisaties voor het beheer van beschermde gebieden op de zes eilanden, ontvangen elk een subsidie ​​van $15.000. De financiering is de eerste stap in een langetermijnpartnerschap om de eilanden te ondersteunen en duurzame financiering te helpen verzekeren via het  Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Trust fund.

Om het oceaanbeheer te verbeteren, gebruikt Blue Marine een combinatie van top-down interventies en bottom-up projecten om lokale gemeenschappen in de frontlinie van natuurbehoud te helpen. Blue Marine zal samenwerken met het DCNA om de organisaties die de mariene parken beheren te helpen de unieke en bedreigde biodiversiteit in het Caribisch Nederlands gebied te beschermen.

De nieuwe samenwerking is een belangrijke ontwikkeling in het succesvolle beheer van mariene natuurparken in het Nedrelands Caribisch gebied. De in het Verenigd Koninkrijk gevestigde liefdadigheidsinstelling heeft een fonds voor kleine subsidies opgericht om snelle toegang te bieden tot ondersteuning voor kritieke natuurbehoudsprojecten van mariene parken.

De individuele projecten en hun lokale partners zijn:

 

• Aruba: monitoring van de waterkwaliteit in de Mariene beschermde gebieden (MPA) en wetlands, in samenwerking met Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)

 

• Bonaire: onderzoek naar het verliezen van steenkoralen (Acroporiden, bijv. hertshoorn- en elandhoornkoraal), en hun potentieel toekomstig herstel, in combinatie met Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA Bonaire)

 

• Curaçao: het opzetten van een maritiem educatieprogramma met busvervoer en een maritiem ranger programma voor jongeren, in samenwerking met Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI)

 

 

• Saba: het realiseren van een klimaatbeheersingsruimte voor het nieuwe marine field station, in samenwerking met de Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF).

 

• Sint Eustatius: het beoordelen van de gezondheid van koraal, de vissen en de diversiteit van riffen, in samenwerking met Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA)

 

• St Maarten: monitoring van mariene habitats, in samenwerking met Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM)

Foto: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

Unieke ecosystemen op de eilanden zijn kwetsbaar voor bedreigingen zoals lopslopend vee dat sedimentatie op riffen veroorzaakt, en invasieve soorten, waaronder koraalduivels en koraalziekten. Ze lopen ook risico door overbevissing, klimaatverandering, kustontwikkeling, erosie en de toename van schadelijke algen veroorzaakt door afvalwater.

De eilanden in het Nederlands Caribisch gebied zijn ook de thuisbasis van belangrijke “blauwe koolstof”-habitats – oceaanecosystemen zoals zeegrassen, mangroven en andere zeeplanten die koolstof opnemen en vasthouden van de atmosfeer van de aarde. Zeegras is hier zo efficiënt in dat het tot 35 keer sneller koolstofdioxide kan opvangen en opslaan dan tropische regenwouden. Het beheer en de bescherming van deze blauwe koolstofhabitats is van vitaal belang in de strijd tegen klimaatverandering.

De huidige maatregelen voor het behoud van de zee rondom de eilanden is onder andere een 25.390 vierkante kilometer groot reservaat voor zoogdieren en haaien – Yarari-reservaat – in de exclusieve economische zone van Bonaire, Saba en Sint Eustatius. Daarnaast hebben alle zes de eilanden langs de kust beschermde mariene gebieden, variërend in grootte van 10 tot 60 vierkante kilometer.

Blue Marine’s Senior Project Manager Jude Brown:

“Na onlangs twee van de eilanden te hebben bezocht, heb ik met eigen ogen gezien hoe bijzonder deze regio is. Toen ik in de wateren van Saba aan het duiken was, zag ik een enorme Tarpon zwemmen tussen een school Blue Tang vissen, en karetschildpadden die zich voedden van de zeegrasvelden. Ik was ook getuige van de uitdagingen waarmee deze eilanden worden geconfronteerd, van koraalziektes tot problemen met kustontwikkeling. Het is een geweldige kans om in de het Nederlands Caribisch gebied te werken, met expertise en financiering van Blue Marine om samen te werken met de schat aan kennis die al op de eilanden is, om zo samen het belangrijke zeeleven rond deze eilanden te beschermen.”

Tadzio Bervoets, directeur van de DNCA: “Het Nederlands Caribisch gebied bestaat uit de Bovenwindse eilanden St. Maarten, Saba en St. Eustatius en de Benedenwindse eilanden Aruba, Bonaire en Curaçao. De natuur van het Nedrelands Caribisch gebied bevat de rijkste biodiversiteit van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden. De diverse ecosystemen zijn een magneet voor het toerisme en tegelijkertijd de belangrijkste bron van inkomsten voor inwoners van het Nederlands Caribisch gebied. De natuur op de eilanden is uniek en belangrijk, maar ook kwetsbaar. De komende week zijn we in Nederland om een ​​Klimaatactieplan voor de Nederlandse Caraïben te presenteren om de dringende noodzaak van een klimaatslimme toekomst voor onze eilanden te benadrukken. ”

 

 

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Papiamento 

Blue Marine Foundation ta lansa un colaboracion nobo cu Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance

Ocean Charity ta haci un donacion inicial di $90,000 na e parkenan marino riba e seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes. E donacion lo financia proyecto, entre otro proteccion di coral y capacitacion di marine ranger hoben.

Rif di coral den Caribe Hulandes (credito di potret: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast – tur derecho reserva)

E organisacion di caridad pa conservacion di ocean Blue Marine Foundation a anuncia cu e ta otorga $90,000 den fondo pa apoya conservacion di lama den Caribe Hulandes. Un cantidad di proyecto cu ta wordo ehecuta door di organisacionnan di maneho di area proteha na e seis islanan lo ricibi cada un un donacion di $15,000. E financiamento ta e prome paso den un asociacion a largo plazo pa sostene e islanan y yuda sigura financiamento sostenibel via Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Trustfonds.

Pa mehora maneho di ocean, Blue Marine ta haci uzo di un combinacion di intervencion top-down y entrega di proyecto bottom-up pa yuda e comunidadnan local den frontline di conservacion di naturalesa. Lo traha hunto cu DCNA pa yuda e organisacionnan di parke marino proteha e biodiversidad unico y menasa di Caribe Hulandes.

E asociacion nobo ta un desaroyo importante den maneho exitoso di e parkenan di conservacion marino den Caribe Hulandes. E organisacion di caridad situa den Reino Unido a establece un fondo di subsidio chikito pa brinda acceso rapido pa sosten pa proyecto di conservacion di naturalesa den situacion critico di parkenan marino.

E proyectonan individual y nan socionan local ta:

 

• Aruba: monitoreo di e calidad di awa den Area Marina Proteha (AMP) y moerasnan, conhuntamente cu Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)

 

• Boneiro: evaluacion di e perdida di coral di piedra (Acroporido, por ehempel, coral cacho di bina y coral cacho di elk) y su posibel recuperacion den futuro, hunto cu Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA Bonaire)

 

• Corsou: a establece un programa di educacion marino di transporte den autobus y un programa di marine ranger hoben, conhuntamente cu Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI)

 

• Saba: donacion di un sala di control di clima pa e stacion nobo di campo marina, den colaboracion cu Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF).

 

• Sint Eustatius: evaluacion di salud di e coralnan, abundancia di pisca y diversidad di e rifnan, conhuntamente cu Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA)

 

• St Maarten: monitoreo di habitat marino, conhuntamente cu Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM)

Rif di coral den Caribe Hulandes (credito di potret: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast – tur derecho reserva)

Ecosistemanan unico na e islanan ta vulnerabel pa menasa manera bestia di cria salvahe cu ta causa sedimentacion na e rifnan y e especienan invasor, incluyendo lionfish y enfermedadnan di coral. Tambe nan ta core riesgo di sobrepesca, cambio di clima, desaroyo di costa, erosion y acumulacion di alga dañino causa pa awa residual.

E islanan di Caribe Hulandes tambe ta habitat importante di “carbon blauw”: ecosistema di ocean manera yerba di lama, mangel y otro mata di lama cu ta absorba y mantene carbon di e atmosfera di tera. E yerbanan di lama ta asina eficiente den esaki cu nan por captura y warda dioxido di carbon hasta 35 biaha mas rapido cu selvanan tropical. E maneho y proteccion di e habitatnan di carbon blauw ta vital den e lucha contra cambio di clima.

E medidanan actual pa conservacion di lama na e islanan ta inclui un santuario di mamifero y tribon di 25.390 km cuadra, santuario di Yarari, den e Zona Economico Exclusivo di Boneiro, Saba y Sint Eustatius. E seis islanan tin Area di lama Proteha di costa cu ta varia den tamaño di 10 pa 60 kilometer cuadra.

 

Jude Brown, Gerente Senior di Proyecto di Blue Marine, a comenta:

Despues di a bishita dos di e islanan recientemente, mi tabata testigo di con special e region aki ta. Buceando den e awanan di Saba, mi a mira Tarpon enorme ta landa entre scol di blue tang y tortuga caret alimentando nan mes cu yerba di lama. Tambe mi a mira e desafionan cu e islanan aki ta enfrenta, desde malesa di coral te problema cu desaroyo di costa. Ta un oportunidad emocionante traha den Caribe Hulandes, aportando experiencia y fondo di Blue Marine pa uni cu e rikesa di conocemento cu ya tin na e islanan aki, pa traha hunto pa proteha e bida marino importante rond di e islanan aki.

Tadzio Bervoets, Director di e DNCA a comenta: “Caribe Hulandes ta consisti di e Islanan bou di biento di St. Maarten, Saba y St. Eustatius y e Islanan riba biento Aruba, Boneiro y Corsou. E naturalesa di Caribe Hulandes ta contene e biodiversidad mas rico di Reino di Hulanda. E diverso ecosistemanan ta un magnet pa turismo y, na mes momento, e fuente di ingreso mas importante pa e residentenan di Caribe Hulandes. E naturalesa di e islanan ta unico y importante, pero tambe fragil. Otro siman nos lo ta na Hulanda pa presenta un Plan di Accion di Clima pa Caribe Hulandes pa enfatisa e necesidad urgente pa un futuro di clima inteligente pa nos islanan.”

 

 

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Papiamentu

Blue Marine Foundation ta lansa koperashon di partner nobo ku Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance

Blue Marine Foundation, un fundashon pa fondo destiná pa bienestar di Oséano, ta pone fondo di supsidio inisial di $90.000 pa parke marinonan riba e seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes. E supsidio lo ta pa proyektonan inkluso protekshon di koral i entrenamentu di ranger marino hóben.

Ref di koral na Karibe Hulandes (fuente di foto: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast – tur derecho reservá)

Blue Marine Foundation a anunsiá su desishon pa otorgá $90.000,00 na fondo di supsidio pa sostené konservashon marino na Karibe Hulandes. Un grupo di proyekto bou di supervishon di organisashonnan di maneho di áreanan protehá riba e seis islanan lo risibí kada unu un supsidio di $15.000,00. E fondo ta e promé paso den un koperashon di partner riba término largu pa sostené e islanan i yuda sigurá finansiamentu duradero via e Trust fund di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA)

Pa drecha maneho di oséano, Blue Marine ta hasi uso di un kombinashon di práktika pa yuda komunidatnan na frente di konservashon ku ta: di intervenshon di ariba bai abou i di proyektonan den ehekushon. E lo traha huntu ku  DCNA pa yuda e organisashonnan di parke marino protehá e biodiversidat úniko di Karibe Hulandes ku ta bou di menasa.

E kolaborashon di sosio nobo ta un desaroyo importante den e maneho eksitoso di e parke marinonan na Karibe Hulandes. E fundashon ku base na Reino Uní a krea un fondo pa supsidio chikitu pa suministrá akseso rápido pa sosten di proyektonan importante ku parke marinonan ta manehá.

 

E proyektonan individual i nan partnernan lokal ta:

 

• Aruba: monitoreo di kalidat di awa den su Área Marino Protehá (MPA) i áreanan akuátiko, huntu ku Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA).

 

• Boneiru: evaluashon di pèrdida di koral di piedra (‘Acroporid’ ku ta p. e. ‘staghorn coral’ (koral kachu grandi) i ‘elkhorn coral’ (koral kachu di biná), i nan potensial di futuro rekuperashon, huntu ku Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA Bonaire)

 

• Kòrsou: realisá un programa di edukashon ku transporte via bùs i un programa di ranger marino hubenil, huntu ku Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI)

 

• Saba: kreashon di un kamber ku kontrol di klima pa e stashon marino nobo riba tereno, huntu ku .

 

• Statia: evaluashon di e salubridat di koral, e abundansia di bida di piská i e diversidat di ref, huntu ku Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA)

 

• St Maarten: monitoreo di habitatnan marino, huntu ku Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM)

Ref di koral na Karibe Hulandes (fuente di foto: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast – tur derecho reservá)

Ekosistemanan úniko na e islanan ta vulnerabel pa e animalnan di krio ku ta kana liber rònt i ta kousa sedimentashon riba refnan, i espesienan invasivo, inkluso ‘lionfish’ i malesa di koral. Tambe nan ta kore peliger kousá pa ekseso di piskamentu, kambio di klima, desaroyo di tereno na kosta, eroshon i oumentu di alga dañino ku awa shushi ta krea.

E islanan di Karibe Hulandes ta kas tambe pa e habitatnan importante di “karbon blou” – ekosistemanan di oséano manera yerba di laman, palu di mangel i otro matanan marino ku ta almasená i tene karbon ku tin den e atmósfera di mundu. Yerba di laman ta asina efisiente den e proseso akí ku e por kapta i almasená karbon dióksido na velosidat te ku 35 biaha mas lihé ku e selvanan tropikal.  Maneho i protekshon di e habitatnan akí di karbon blou akí ta vital den e kombate kontra kambio di klima.

Konservashon marino aktual na e islanan ta inkluí un superfisie di 25.390 km2 di santuario pa mamífero marino i tribon – Yarari santuario na otro banda di e Zona Ekonómiko Eksklusivo di di Boneiru, Saba i Statia. Tur seis isla tin Áreanan Marino Protehá pegá na kosta ku ta varia di superfisie entre 10 pa 60 km2.

Blue Marine su Séniòr Manager di Proyekto Jude Brown ta komentá:

“Despues di un bishita resien na dos di e islanan, mi a eksperensiá di propio fuente kon spesial e region akí ta. Sambuyando na Saba mi a mira sábalo enorme landa meimei di mancha di kleinfeshi blou i turtuga kawama komiendo di kama di yerba di laman. Tambe mi a mira e retonan ku e islanan akí ta enfrentando di malesa di koral te ku problemanan ku desaroyo di tereno na kosta. Ta un oportunidat eksitante pa traha den Karibe Hulandes, kontribuyendo ku ekspertisio i fondo di Blue Marine pa djòin e rikesa di konosementu ku ta eksistí kaba riba e islanan, pa kolaborá den protekshon di e bida marino importante rònt di e islanan akí.”

Tadzio Bervoets, Direktor di DNCA a reakshoná: “Karibe Hulandes ta konsistí di e islanan di Islariba; St. Maarten, Saba, i Statia huntu ku e islanan di Islanan Abou; Aruba, Boneiru i Kòrsou. E naturalesa di Karibe Hulandes ta kontené e biodiversidat di mas riku den Reino Hulandes. E ekosistemanan diverso ta un magnet pa turismo i na e mes momentu e fuente di entrada mas importante pa e habitantenan di Karibe Hulandes. Naturalesa na e islanan ta úniko i importante pero tambe e ta frágil. Den siman binidero nos lo ta na Hulanda pa presentá un Plan di Akshon di Klima pa Karibe Hulandes pa enfatisá e nesesidat urgente di un futuro ‘smart’ pa nos islanan.”

 

 

Published in BioNews 53

A new study by researchers from the University of Texas and California Polytechnic State University documented herbivorous fishes feeding on fish fecal pellets off the coast of Bonaire.  This has never been recorded in the Caribbean before and provides a deeper understanding of nutrient recycling and insight into the diverse diets of fishes who work to keep the local coral reefs healthy.

Blue parrotfish (Scarus coeruleus). Photo credit: Marion Haarsma

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, but they are also limited in nutrients. So, nutrient recycling is a vital part of supporting such reef organisms and their biodiversity. Organisms can’t process all the nutrients from the food they eat, so some of these nutrients come out in their poop. A new study documented a unique upcycling technique, previously unknown within the Caribbean, herbivorous fish feeding on fish feces.

Parrotfishes and surgeonfishes are often praised as the great caretakers of coral reefs, feeding on reef algae and keeping overgrowth in check, which indirectly promotes healthy coral recruitment and growth.  Although it was previously known that Caribbean parrotfishes and surgeonfishes also fed off other food sources, such as cyanobacteria, sponges, and even corals themselves, a recent study added fish feces to this list.

The Study

This collaborative effort was co-led by Hannah Rempel, a Ph.D. student from University of Texas Marine Science Institute and Abigail Siebert, a former undergraduate student from California Polytechnic State University. They studied the foraging rates of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes on fish fecal matter. Because they found that over 99% of feces they consumed were from the Brown Chromis (Chromis multilineata), a plankton eating fish, they also observed Brown Chromis feces to see what other reef fish ate them and studied the nutritional value of these feces. The study was conducted in 2019 between June and September, across six dive sites along the western shores of Bonaire.  This research is the first of its kind within the Caribbean and paves the way for continued exploration into the topic.

Fecal pellet. Photo credit: Hannah Rempel

The Results

Throughout this study, researchers documented that almost 85% of the observed fecal pellets were ingested by fish with over 90% consumed by parrotfish and surgeonfishes alone. “Compared to algae, these fecal pellets are rich in a number of important micronutrients. Our findings suggest they may be an important nutritional supplement in the diets of these fishes” stated Rempel. Taking a closer look at the fecal matter itself, researchers found that these pellets had higher values of proteins, carbohydrates, total calories, and important micronutrients when compared to most algae.  Therefore, consuming fecal matter may play an important role in nutrient transfer within the marine environment.

Future Research

Understanding the intricate dynamics within coral reefs provides information management authorities need to safeguard these environments more effectively. These results highlight the importance of the consumption of fecal matter in upcycling micronutrients, although there is still much to be learned about the nutritional content of other food sources, such as algae mats, cyanobacteria, sponges and corals.  Fish feces may play a vital role in nutrient supply within the reef environment, emphasizing the need for further insight into this topic moving forward.

For more information you can find the full report on the DCBD by using the link below.

More info in the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database

 

 

Published in BioNews 53

Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below

 

Fun Online Nature Game for the Dutch Caribbean 

DCNA’s Big Live Nature Quiz local Host Edrieënna Brandao

On April 22nd, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) hosted its Big Live Nature Quiz for adults on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten. A total of 150+ individuals participated in the online, live and interactive quiz. After many exciting and thrilling nature question rounds, a team on Curaçao won. Second place went to a team on Aruba and third place to a team on Saba. 

The online Big Live Nature Quiz is created to educate citizens about nature in a fun interactive way, to instill pride about the islands’ nature, encourage eco-friendly practices, support the parks conservation projects, and to connect people throughout the Dutch Caribbean. 

Big Live Nature Quiz participants at Hillside Bonaire

Yearly Free Quiz for Adults and Kids 

This a yearly event for both adults and kids since 2020. For 2022, the kids’ edition is currently planned for the beginning of November. Stay tuned for your next chance to learn more about the nature of the Dutch Caribbean. 

Live and Interactive Quiz 

Teams could participate in two ways. Teams were invited to play from home/online with friends and family or join at one of the broadcast locations (bars). 

Big Live Nature Quiz participants at Chaos Café Aruba

The Quiz was online and live. Therefore, all teams from the Dutch Caribbean islands could participate at the same time as well as interact with each other and the host of the program. 

Broadcast locations included Aruba: Chaos Café, Bonaire: Hillside, Saba: Long Haul, St. Eustatius: Ocean View Terrace, St. Maarten: Dinghy Dock Sailors Bar. A big thank you to STINAPA Bonaire, CARMABI on Curaçao, Aruba National Park Foundation, Saba Conservation Foundation, STENAPA on St Eustatius, Nature Foundation Sint Maarten and WeConnect for their support and creating this event. 

 

Theme: Endangered animals and plants 

The quiz had a total of 20 multiple choice trivia questions. The quiz was in English but questions also had Dutch, Papiamentu and Papiamento subtitles. Questions included species such as sea turtles, sharks and iguanas. 

Big Live Nature Quiz Winners (Team Barracuda’s) van Bonaire at Hillside

Winners 

First place went to “Vreemde Vogels” on Curaçao. They will receive a sailing trip around their beautiful island. Second place went to “Lucky’s Group Therapy” on Aruba and third place to “What a Team” on Saba. Island winners of Bonaire are the Barracudas. For St Maarten: Chicken Dinner (Emily Koch) and St. Eustatius: The Shallows 

They received smaller prizes. Congratulations to all! 

“It was a lot of fun and I learned much about nature. So nice that all Dutch Caribbean islands could participate live. I am looking forward to next year!”. BLNQ Participant from Hillside Bonaire 

Big Live Nature Quiz participants at Long Haul op Saba

Don’t Miss the next Big Live Nature Quiz 

Check out DCNA’s Facebook (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance), Instagram (DCNAnature) or BigLiveNatureQuiz.org for more information and photos of the events. If you have any questions, send an email to info@DCNAnature.org or call +599-717-5010. 

The Big Live Nature Quiz is generously funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and DCNA’s activities are supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery. 

 

Big Live Nature Quiz participants at Dinghy Dock Sailors Bar St Maarten

      

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Nederlands

Big Live Nature Quiz- Winnaars op Curaçao, Aruba and Saba

Leuke Online Natuur Game voor het Nederlands Caribisch gebied 

Op 22 april heeft de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) de Big Live Nature Quiz voor volwassenen op Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, en St. Maarten georganiseerd. Meer dan 150 mensen hebben deelgenomen aan de online, live en interactieve quiz. Na veel interessante en spannende rondes van vragen over de natuur, heeft een team op Curaçao gewonnen. De tweede plaats ging naar een team op Aruba en de derde plaats naar een ander team op Saba. 

De online Big Live Nature Quiz is opgezet om burgers op een leuke, interactieve manier voor te lichten over natuurbehoud, om een gevoel van trots zijn op de natuur van de eilanden te scheppen, om natuurvriendelijke praktijken aan te moedigen, om de projecten van de natuur beheer parken te ondersteunen en om mensen binnen op de Nederlands Caribische eilanden met elkaar in contact te brengen. 

Big Live Nature Quiz deelnemers bij Hillside Bonaire

Jaarlijks Gratis Quiz voor Volwassenen en Kinderen 

Dit is een jaarlijks evenement voor zowel volwassenen als voor kinderen sinds 2020. Voor 2022, is de kindereditie momenteel gepland begin November. Volg de DCNA (www.BigLiveNatureQuiz.org) om de volgende quiz niet te missen en om op een leuke manier te leren over de natuur van het Nederlands Caribisch gebied. 

Live en Interactieve Quiz 

De teams (bestaande uit 1-4 deelnemers) konden op twee manieren deelnemen. De deelnemers konden online vanuit huis meedoen of bij een van de uitzendlocaties (bars). 

Big Live Nature Quiz deelnemers bij Chaos Café Aruba

De Quiz was online en live. Hierdoor konden alle teams van de Nederlands Caribische eilanden op dezelfde tijd deelnemen en ook op hetzelfde moment met elkaar en met de presentator van het programma interactie hebben. 

Deelnemende uitzendlocaties (bars) waren: Aruba: Chaos Café, Bonaire: Hillside, Saba: Long Haul, St. Eustatius: Ocean View Terrace, St. Maarten: Dinghy Dock Sailors Bar. Hartelijk dank aan STINAPA Bonaire, CARMABI on Curaçao, Aruba National Park Foundation, Saba Conservation Foundation, STENAPA on St Eustatius, Nature Foundation Sint Maarten en WeConnect voor hun support en het creeën van de quiz. 

 

Thema: Bedreigde dieren en planten 

De quiz had in totaal 20 meerkeuzevragen. De quiz was in het Engels, maar de vragen waren ook Nederlands, Papiamentu en Papiamento ondertiteld. Vragen gingen over soorten zoals zeeschildpadden, haaien en leguanen. 

Big Live Nature Quiz Winners (Team Barracuda’s) van Bonaire bij Hillside

Winnaars 

De eerste plaats ging naar “Vreemde Vogels” op Curaçao. Zij krijgen een zeiltocht rond hun prachtige eiland. De tweede plaats ging naar “Lucky’s Group Therapy” op Aruba en de derde plaats naar “What a Team” op Saba. Eilandwinnaars van Bonaire zijn de Barracuda’s. Voor St. Maarten: Chicken Dinner (Emily Koch) en St. Eustatius: The Shallows. 

“Het was erg leuk en ik heb veel geleerd over de natuur. Zo leuk dat alle Nederlands Caribische eilanden live konden mee doen. Ik kijk uit naar de volgende quiz!”. BLNQ Deelnemer van Hillside Bonaire 

Big Live Nature Quiz deelnemers bij Long Haul op Saba

Doe mee aan de Big Live Nature Quiz  

Volg de DCNA Facebook (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance), Instagram (DCNAnature) of BigLiveNatureQuiz.org voor meer informatie en foto’s van het evenement. Als u wat voor vragen mocht hebben, stuur dan een email naar research@DCNAnature.org of bel naar +599-717-5010. 

De Big Live Nature Quiz wordt gesponsord door het Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedsel Kwaliteit (LNV) en de activiteiten van DCNA worden ondersteund door de Nederlandse Postcode Loterij. 

 

Big Live Nature Quiz deelnemers bij Dinghy Dock Sailors Bar St Maarten

 

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Papiamentu

Ganadónan di Big Live Nature Quiz na Kòrsou, Aruba i Saba

Wega Prèt online tokante Naturalesa pa Karibe Hulandes 

Riba 22 di aprel, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) a tene su promé Big Live Nature Quiz pa adulto na Aruba, Boneiru, Kòrsou, Saba, Statia, i St. Maarten. Na total 150+ persona formando tim di 1-4 hungadó a partisipá na e kues ku a bai online i live. Despues di hopi tanda ku preguntanan interesante i inspirante tokante naturalesa, un tim na Kòrsou a gana. Di dos lugá a bai pa un tim na Aruba i e di tres lugá a bai pa un otro tim na Saba. 

A krea e Big Live Nature Quiz ku ta online pa eduká siudadanonan tokante naturalesa riba un manera prèt i interaktivo, pa lanta orguyo pa naturalesa di e isla, enkurashá práktikanan ku ta bon pa naturalesa, sostené e proyektonan di konservashon di e parkenan, i pa trese personanan rònt Hulanda Karibense den kontakto ku otro.  

Kues grátis kada aña pa Adulto i Mucha  

E meta ta pa hasi e kuesnan un evento anual pa tantu adulto komo mucha. Na 2020, a lansa e promé edishon pa mucha. Pa 2022, e edishon pa mucha aktualmente ta planeá pa kuminsamentu di òktober. Keda pendiente pa bo siguiente oportunidat pa bo siña mas tokante naturalesa di Hulanda Karibense. 

Kues Live i Interaktivo 

Timnan por a partisipá na dos forma. Sea ku timnan a haña invitashon pa hunga for di e base na kas/online huntu amigu i famia òf djòin e kues na un di e sitionan di transmishon na un bar .  

E ‘Quiz’ tabata online i bibu. Di e forma akí, tur e timnan di e islanan di Karibe Hulandes por a partisipá na mes momentu i tambe por komuniká ku otro i ku e anfitrion di e programa. 

Sitionan di transmishon tabata na Aruba: “Chaos Café”, “Hillside” na Boneiru, “Long Haul ” na Saba, ” Ocean View Terrace“ na St. Eustatius i “Dinghy Dock Sailors Bar” na St. Maarten. Un danki di kurason ta bai na STINAPA Bonaire, CARMABI na Kòrsou, Aruba National Park Foundation, Saba Conservation Foundation, STENAPA na St Eustatius, Nature Foundation Sint Maarten  i WeConnect pa nan sosten na e evento akí. 

Tema: Animal i mata ku ta kore peliger di ekstinshon  

E kues tabata konsistí di un total di 20 pregunta komun. E tabata presentá na ingles pero e preguntanan tabatin suptítulo na hulandes, papiamentu i papiamento. E preguntanan tabata tokante espesienan manera turtuga di laman, tribon i yuana.  

Ganadónan 

E promé lugá a bai pa “Vreemde Vogels” na Kòrsou. Nan lo risibí un paseo ku boto di bela ku posibilidat di snòrkel rondó di nan isla bunita. Di dos lugá a bai pa “Lucky’s Group Therapy” na Aruba i di tres lugá pa “What a Team” na Saba. Ganadónan di Boneiru a bira The Barracudas, di St. Maarten: Chicken Dinner (Emily Koch) i Statia: The Shallows. Nan a risibí premionan mas chikitu. Pabien na nan tur! 

Reakshon di un partisipante di BLNQ na Hillside Boneiru: “Tabata algu hopi prèt i mi a siña hopi tokante naturalesa. Asina bon ku tur e islanan di Hulanda Karibense por a partisipá en bibu. Mi tin hopi gana kaba den e kues di otro aña.” 

No pèrdè e siguiente Big Live Nature Quiz 

Kontrolá DCNA su Facebook (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance), Instagram (DCNAnature) òf BigLiveNatureQuiz.org pa mas informashon i pòrtrèt di e eventonan. Si tin kualke pregunta, manda un mensahe di meil pa info@DCNAnature.org òf yama na +599-717-5010. 

Big Live Nature Quiz ta haña fondo generoso di Ministerio di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kalidat di Kuminda (LNV) i e aktividatnan di DCNA ta haña sosten di Postcode Loterij di Hulanda.  

 

 

 

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Papiamento

Big Live Nature Quiz – Ganadonan na Corsou, Aruba y Saba

Wega di Naturalesa Dibertido Online pa Caribe Hulandes 

Dia 22 di april, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) a tene e Big Live Nature Quiz pa adulto na Aruba, Boneiro, Corsou, Saba, St. Eustatius y St. Maarten. Un total di  150 + persona a participa na e quiz online, bibo y interactivo. Despues di hopi ronda di pregunta excitante y emocionante tocante naturalesa, un ekipo di Corsou a sali ganado. E di dos luga a bay pa un ekipo di  Aruba y e di tres luga a bay pa un  ekipo di Saba. 

E Big Live Nature Quiz online a wordo crea pa educa e ciudadanonan tocante naturalesa na un manera interactivo y divertido, pa inspira orguyo pa naturalesa di e islanan, fomenta practica ecologico, sostene e proyecto di conservacion di parke y conecta e personanan den henter Caribe Hulandes. 

Quiz Anualmente Gratis pa Adulto y Mucha 

Meta ta pa haci esaki un evento anual tanto pa adulto como pa mucha. Na aña 2020 a lansa e  prome edicion pa mucha. Pa aña 2022, e edicion infantil ta planea pa mita di october. Keda pendiente pa bo proximo oportunidad pa siña mas tocante naturalesa di Caribe Hulandes. 

Quiz Bibo y Interactivo 

E ekiponan por a participa na dos manera. A invita e ekiponan pa hunga for di nan cas /online cu amigo y famia of pa join na un di e luganan di transmision. (bar) 

E Quiz tabata online y bibo. Pa e motibo ey, tur e ekiponan di e islanan di Caribe Hulandes por a participa na mes momento y por a interactua cu otro y cu e anfitrion di e programa. 

E luganan di transmision tabata inclui Aruba: Chaos Café, Bonaire: Hillside, Saba: Long Haul, St. Eustatius: Ocean View Terrace, St. Maarten: Dinghy Dock Sailors Bar. Un danki di curason pa tur e  establecimentonan y tambe pa  STINAPA Boneiro, CARMABI – Corsou, Aruba National Park Foundation, Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), STENAPA na St Eustatius, Nature Foundation Sint Maarten y WeConnect pa nan apoyo y pa crea e evento aki. 

Tema: Bestia y mata den peliger  

E quiz tabatin un total di 20 escogencia multiple trivia. E quiz tabata na Ingles, pero e preguntanan tambe tabatin subtitulo ,na Hulandes, Papiamentu y Papiamento. E preguntanan tabata inclui especie manera turtuga di lama, tribon y yuwana.  

E ganadonan 

E prome luga a bay pa “Vreede Vogels” na Corsou. Nan lo ricibi un trip riba barco di bela/ snorkel rond di nan bunita isla. E di dos luga a bay pa “Lucky’s Group Therapy” na Aruba  y e di tres luga a bay pa “What a team” na Saba. E ganadonan di isla di Boneiro tabata “The Barracudas”  Pa St Maarten: Chicken Dinner (Emily Koch) y pa St. Eustatius: The Shallows 

Nan a ricibi premio mas chikito. Pabien na tur e ganadonan! 

“Tabata hopi pret y mi a siña hopi tocante naturalesa. Hopi bon cu tur e islanan di Caribe Hulandes por a participa den bibo. Mi ta ansioso pa otro aña!”. BLNQ Participante di Hillside Boneiro 

No perde e proximo Gran Quiz Bibo di Naturalesa 

Check Facebook di DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance), Instagram (DCNAnature) of BigLiveNatureQuiz.org pa obtene mas informacion y potret di e evento. Si bo tin cualke pregunta, bo por manda un e-mail na info@DCNAnature.org of bo por yama na + 599-717-5010. 

Big Live Nature Quiz ta financia generosamente pa Ministerio di Agricultura, Naturalesa y Calidad di Alimento (LNV) y e actividadnan di DCNA ta conta cu apoyo di Loteria di codigo postal Hulandes. 

 

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 53

 

Nederlands and Papiamentu below

 

The whale and dolphin research program  Ti Whale An Nou started March 25, 2022 and the objective is to study the diversity, distribution and quantity of whales and dolphins in the Caribbean. Six scientific expeditions of 15 days will take place between March and September 2022. The results will be used to determine what is needed to protect these large mammals. This expedition is coordinated by the Caribbean Cetacean Society (CCS) and is made possible thanks to several partners. 

Fraser’s dolphin. Photo source: Caribbean Cetacean Society

First sightings

The name of the research project Ti Whale An Nou is a mixture of French and English Creole and it means ‘our little whales’. The first expedition of this year was recently finalized. In 12 days CCS encountered 9 species from Martinique to Grenada. The research team followed a group of orcas in St. Vincent and they could also study Fraser’s dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, dwarf sperm whales, pygmy killer whales, beaked whales.

Unfortunately CCS also took notice that 18 pilot whales were killed in St. Vincent on the last day of the expedition. This horrifying news affirms the importance of protecting marine mammals. The next expedition will take place from the 15th until 27th of April and will focus on the islands from Martinique to Montserrat.

Orca. Photo source: Caribbean Cetacean Society

Capacity building

The third expedition will be from May 17 to June 1 and it is open for candidates from the Dutch Caribbean to participate. Inhabitants from the Caribbean are invited to make use of the unique opportunity to join the research team of Ti Whale An Nou onboard for the expedition to learn more about their work and to contribute to this important research project. The team will study the zone from Montserrat to Anguilla, covering Sint Maarten, Statia, Saba and the Saba Bank. The goal of the expedition is also to do capacity building to improve the skills of local people to study whales and dolphins.

Importance for other Caribbean islands

This research program will provide an understanding of the migration routes of marine mammals and therefore an opportunity to improve the protection of these animals. A stable population of whales and dolphins is an indication of healthy oceans. In healthy oceans, fish stocks are stable which is important for the fisheries and the economy on the islands. Furthermore, whales play a significant role in capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Each great whale isolates an estimated 33 tons of CO2 on average, thus playing their part in the fight against climate change.

This research mission receives great support by the World Wide Fund for Nature – The Netherlands, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Corail Caraibes, Orange, the EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, and Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique, Région Guadeloupe and Collectivité Territoriale de la Martinique

Sperm whale. Photo source: Caribbean Cetacean Society

Results 2021

Last year this research project was conducted for the first time. 17 species were identified, 191 visual detections recorded, more than 10. 000 individuals studied and 29 families of sperm whales were encountered in 2021. Furthermore, there were acoustic recordings of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the West Indies and first photo identification of this species in Martinique. CCS also observed the rare species pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) in the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, around Saba, Saba Bank, St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. This study was a first step to shed light on cetaceans in the Caribbean.

All results can be found at https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou.

 

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Nederlands

Tweede Walvis en dolfijn onderzoeksprogramma in het Caribisch gebied

 

De walvis en dolfijn onderzoeksprogramma Ti Whale An Nou is op 25 maart 2022 van start gegaan. De expeditie staat in het teken van het in kaart brengen van de diversiteit, de migratie en het aantal walvissen en dolfijnen in het Caribisch gebied. Tussen maart en september 2022 vinden zes wetenschappelijke expedities van 15 dagen plaats. Op basis van de resultaten kan worden vastgesteld wat er nodig is voor een betere bescherming van deze grote zeezoogdieren. De expeditie wordt gecoördineerd door Caribbean Cetacean Society en wordt mogelijk gemaakt door verschillende partners.

Fraser’s dolphin. Foto van Caribbean Cetacean Society

Eerste waarnemingen

De naam van het onderzoeksproject Ti Whale An Nou is een combinatie van Frans en Engels Creools en het betekent onze kleine walvissen. Onlangs is de eerste expeditie van dit jaar afgerond. In 12 dagen registreerde CCS 9 soorten van Martinique tot Grenada. Het onderzoeksteam volgde een groep orka’s in St. Vincent en ze konden ook Fraser-dolfijnen, pantropische gevlekte dolfijnen, grienden, bultruggen, potvissen, dwerg potvissen, dwerg orka’s en spitssnuitdolfijnen bestuderen.

Op de laatste dag van de expeditie merkte CCS helaas ook op dat 18 grienden werden gedood in St. Vincent. Dit gruwelijke nieuws bevestigt het belang van de bescherming van zeezoogdieren. De volgende expeditie vindt plaats van 15 tot 27 april en zal zich concentreren op de eilanden van Martinique tot Montserrat.

Orca. Foto van Caribbean Cetacean Society

Capaciteitsopbouw 

De derde expeditie vindt plaats van 17 mei tot 1 juni en staat open voor kandidaten uit Caribisch Nederland. Bewoners in het Caribisch gebied kunnen gebruik maken van de unieke kans om zich bij het onderzoeksteam van Ti Whale An Nou aan boord van de expeditie toe te voegen om te leren over hun werk en om bij te dragen aan dit belangrijke onderzoeksproject. Het team gaat de zone van Montserrat tot Anguilla bestuderen, die Sint Maarten, Statia, Saba en de Saba Bank omvat. Het doel van de expeditie is ook om capaciteitsopbouw te doen om de vaardigheden van lokale mensen om walvissen en dolfijnen te bestuderen te verbeteren.

Belang voor andere Caribische eilanden

Door dit onderzoek komt er inzicht in de migratieroutes van de zeezoogdieren en daarmee biedt het een kans om deze dieren beter te beschermen. Een stabiele populatie walvissen en dolfijnen is in een indicatie van gezonde oceanen. In gezonde oceanen is de visstand ook op peil en dat is van belang voor de visserij alsmede de economie op de eilanden. Bovendien spelen walvissen een belangrijke rol bij het vastleggen van koolstofdioxide (CO2) uit de atmosfeer. Elke grote walvis isoleert naar schatting gemiddeld 33 ton CO2 en speelt zo een rol in de strijd tegen klimaatverandering.

Deze onderzoeksmissie ontvangt enorme steun van het Wereld Natuur Fonds, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Corail Caraibes, Orange, EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, en Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique.

Sperm whale. Foto van Caribbean Cetacean Society

Resultaten 2021

Vorig jaar is dit onderzoeksproject voor het eerst uitgevoerd. In 2021 werden 17 soorten geïdentificeerd, 191 visuele waarnemingen geregistreerd en 29 families potvissen geobserveerd. Verder waren er akoestische opnamen van orka’s (Orcinus orka) in West-Indië en de eerste foto-identificatie van deze soort in Martinique. CCS heeft ook de zeldzame soort pygmee-orka (Feresa attenuata) waargenomen in het Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, rond Saba, Saba Bank, St. Maarten en St. Eustatius. Deze studie was een eerste stap om een situatie te schetsen over walvisachtigen in het Caribisch gebied. Alle resultaten zijn te vinden op https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou.

 

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Papiamentu

Di dos programa di investigashon di bayena i dòlfein den Karibe

E programa di investigashon di bayena i dòlfein Ti Whale An Nou a kuminsá riba 25 di mart 2022. E ekspedishon ta trese dilanti e diversidat, migrashon i kantidat di bayena i dòlfein den Karibe. Entre mart i sèptèmber 2022 tin 6 ekspedishon sientífiko di 15 dia lo tuma lugá. A base di e resultadonan por ser konstatá kiko ta nesesario pa brinda un mihó protekshon na e mamíferonan marítimo grandi aki. E ekspedishon ta ser kordiná dor di Caribbean Cetacean Society i hasí posibel dor di diferente partner.

Fraser’s dolphin. Foto di Caribbean Cetacean Society

Promé observashonnan

E nòmber di e proyekto di investigashon ta un kombinashon di kreol franses i ingles i ta nifiká nos bayenanan chikí. Resientemente e promé ekspedishon a finalisá. Den 12 dia CCS a registrá 9 sorto entre Martinique ku Grenada. E tim di investigashon a sigui un grupo di Orka na St. Vincent i nan por a observá tambe diferente otro tipo di bayena i dòlfein manera ‘Fraser-dolfijnen, pantropische gevlekte dolfijnen, grienden, bultruggen, potvissen, dwerg potvissen, dwerg orka’s’.

Riba e último dia por a nota tambe ku 18 bayena a ser matá na St.Vincent. E notisia kruel aki ta konfirmá e importansia di protehá mamalnan marítimo. E siguiente ekspedishon lo tuma lugá di 15 pa 27 di aprel i lo ta konsentrá riba e islanan entre Martinique ku Montserrat.

Orka. Foto di Caribbean Cetacean Society

Desaroyo di kapasidat

E di tres ekspedishon lo tuma lugá di 17 di mei pa promé di yüni i ta habrí pa kantidatonan di Karibe Hulandes. Habitantenan di Karibe Hulandes por hasi uso di e oportunidat úniko pa forma parti di e tim di ekspedishon di Ti Whale An Noun a bordo pa asina siña di e trabou ku nan ta hasi i tambe pa kontribuí na e proyekto di investigashon importante aki. E tim ta bai studia e zona entre Montserrat ku Anguilla, ku ta enserá e islanan Sint Maarten, Statia, Saba i e Saba Bank. E meta di e ekspedishon ta tambe pa desaroyá kapasidat pa mehorá e abilidatnan di personanan lokal pa por studia bayena i dòlfèin.

Importansha pa islanan di karibe

Dor di e investigashon aki ta bin bista riba e rutanan di migrashon di e mamíferonan marítimo i e ta brinda di e forma aki e posibilidat pa por protehá e animalnan mihó. Un populashon stabil di bayena i dòlfein ta un indikashon di e un oséano saludabel. Den oséanonan saludabel tin tambe un bon kantidat di piská den e awanan kual ta di importansia pa peska. I esaki ta importante pa ekonomia di e islanan. Ademas bayenanan ta hunga un ròl grandi den saka karbodióksido (CO2) for di atmósfera. Kada bayena grandi ta isolá un promedio di 33 tonelada di karbodióksido i ta hunga un ròl den e lucha kontra kambio di klima. E mishon di investigashon ta risibí sosten grandi di Wereld Natuur Fonds, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Corail Caraibes, Orange, EDF Group Foundation, Animal Wellfare Institute, en Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique.

Sperm whale. Foto di Caribbean Cetacean Society

Resultadonan 2021

Aña pasá a hasi e proyekto di investigashon aki pa promé bia. Den 2021 a identifiká 17 sorto, a registrá 191 observashon visual i 29 famia di ‘potvis’. Banda di esaki tabata tin grabashon akústiko di orka (Orcinus orka) na India oeste i e promé identifikashon di e sorto aki na Martinique. CCS a mira tambe un sorto skars di orka (Feresa attenuate) den e Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary rondo di Saba, St. Maarten i Statia. E estudio aki tabata un promé paso pa skèts situashon di tiponan di bayena den Karibe. Por haña tur resultado riba  https://www.ccs-ngo.com/ti-whale-an-nou.

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 53

 

A new survey technique provides insight into Queen Conch populations off the islands of Anguilla, St. Eustatius and within the Saba Bank. This research offers new information concerning Queen conch population distribution, useful for management authorities. Queen conch population in the Caribbean in general  have been decimated by intense fishing pressure so improving surveying techniques will aid in their overall management in the region. 

Queen conch. Photo source: Mark Vermeij

Queen conchs (Aliger gigas) are an iconic species of the Caribbean, representing both economic and cultural importance. Unfortunately, these species are heavily exploited, as their meat is popular in local cuisine and their shells are popular decorative pieces. Historically population data for Queen conch were gathered using dive surveys, however, these can be logistically demanding and expensive and limited to depths accessible to divers. Luckily, a new collaborative study by Wageningen University and Research, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research worked to improve these population estimates by implementing a novel towed video system.   

New Techniques 

Through combining traditional dive surveys with the towed video system, researchers can now explore species abundance to a depth of 60 m. In addition, this method allows new relationships between environmental variables and conch abundance through this range which had previously been poorly studied. It is understood that Queen conch move to deeper waters as they mature, so being able to document these deeper depths will give researchers and managers a more complete view of conch populations.   

The Results 

Surveys were conducted throughout three different locations: Anguilla, St. Eustatius and within the Saba Bank. Saba Bank was found to have the highest overall mean conch density, with an average of 126 conch per hectare, and ranged from depths of 16 m to 50 m. St. Eustatius was found to have a mean density of 62 conch per hectare, ranging from depths of 11 m to 45 m. For all three locations the highest densities of conch were found in water deeper than 25 m, with densities of 393 conch/ha at depths greater than 40 m on Saba Bank and 285 conch/ha at depths greater than 30 m on St. Eustatius. 

In general, this study found patchy distribution patterns of adult conch, likely due to aggregating behavior during spawning events. Other environmental factors, such as algal cover, distance to the open ocean and depth were also shown to impact conch abundance. Depths between 17 and 45 m were shown to have the greatest number of reproductive conch, highlighting the importance of safeguarding these areas to protect the reproductive capacity for these populations in the future. 

Source: Marion Haarsma

Recommendations 

With this new information, management authorities can now focus their attention to areas likely to host Queen conch populations. Researchers from this project recommend that future Queen conch surveys operate over a range of depths while sampling a variety of bottom conditions. These results can then be analyzed to better understand the connection between the conch distribution and local or regional factors. Although each island may require their own approach, this study highlights that many of these factors may be universal and should be considered when designing future campaigns. 

There is still much to be learned about Queen conch, such as the impact of algal cover or shifts in seagrass densities and species on their foraging behaviors. Gaining a holistic understanding of local conch populations will aid in the design and implementation of effective conservation projects moving forward. To learn more about this project, you can find the published article on the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database by using the link below. 

Report your sightings  

Have you observed an Queen conchs? Report your nature sightings and photos on the website DutchCaribbean.Observation.org or download the free apps (iPhone (iObs) & Android (ObsMapp)). Species reports by local communities and tourists are invaluable for nature conservation efforts to help increase public awareness and overall species protection. Besides, DCNA, Observation International and Naturalis Biodiversity Center are working together to develop on automated species identification app for your phone. Your uploaded photos are of great value to make this possible. For questions, please contact research@DCNAnature.org  

 

Read more  

You can learn more about this research by reading the published article on the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database using the button below. 

 

More info in the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database

 

 

Published in BioNews 52

Nederlands Below

 

Land and freshwater mollusks were surveyed over the course of three visits in 2015, 2020 and 2021 on the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten. Snails are important for a healthy soil and are an important food source for many species. Alarmingly, it has become clear that a number of land snail species are declining. In fact, it is suspected that a number of species will disappear completely if no action is taken soon.

Rare and/or endangered snails

Striped Helicinid (Helicina fasciata)- Photo credit: Tello Neckheim

About 49 species of mollusks (namely clams and snails) have been documented on St. Maarten. Depending on which list you use, between 15 and 16 of which are endangered, representing about a third of the island’s mollusk populations. Unfortunately, too little research has been done on these mollusks to make definitive conclusions, but it appears that four species may have already been lost, including the Apple Snail (Pomacea glauca), Marbled Physa (Aplexa marmorata), Glabrous Ramshorn (Biomphalaria glabatra) and Mottled Fingernail Clam (Eupera viridans).  And the terrestrial snails Pupiform Mountain Snail (Chondropoma pupiforme), Striped Helicinid (Helicina fasciata), Transparant Bulimulus (Bulimulus diaphanous fraterculus) and some more species are endangered on St. Maarten.

Critical Habitats

Pleurodonte guadeloupensis martinensis- Photo credit: Tello Neckheim

The main causes of the decline in populations include habitat loss due to hurricanes, pollution and construction. In fact, the island has almost no primary (or original) forest left. Secondary forest is restored forest where, in addition to indigenous species of plants and animals, there are often many introduced exotic species which can bring about a number of other issues for the island.

One particularly vulnerable habitat is forest with calcareous moist soil. On the Dutch side of the island, this habitat is mainly found at Billy Folly, where only a limited piece of original habitat is still present. Nearly the entire “mountain” has now been built up with houses. During the 2021 visit, a road was built right through the primary forest. This road will likely lead to new construction projects, which could result in the disappearance of the last remnant of forest causing the loss of any snail species bound to this area.

Another disappearing habitat is moist secondary forest on neutral soil. This habitat is mainly found on the French part around Mont Paradis. This habitat is scarce but not threatened because there are no building plans on and around Mont Paradis. On the Dutch side it is found on Sentry hill and Sint Peter hill.

Importance of snails

These snails represent an important part of the natural balance for the island.  They consume rotting leaf litter and fungi and can help recycle nutrients in the soil.  In addition, they provide food source to a number of mammals, birds, reptiles and even insects, helping convert nutrients found in the soil to a digestible food source for larger predators.  A healthy environment for St. Martin starts in the soil, so understanding and preserving these tiny island inhabitants will be critical in protecting the island’s delicate ecological balance.

Report your sightings

Have you observed snails? Report your nature sightings and photos on the website www.Observation.org or download the free apps (iPhone (iObs) & Android (ObsMapp)).

Species reports by local communities and tourists are invaluable for nature conservation efforts to help increase public awareness and overall species protection. Besides, DCNA, Observation International and Naturalis Biodiversity Center are working together to develop on automated species identification app for your phone. Your uploaded photos are of great value to make this possible. For questions, please contact research@DCNAnature.org

Read more

You can find the completed list of land and freshwater mollusks documented during this study on the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database.

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Verdwijnen van slakken op Sint Maarten

Land- en zoetwaterweekdieren zijn onderzocht tijdens drie bezoeken in 2015, 2020 en 2021 op de Nederlandse en Franse kant van St. Maarten. Slakken zijn belangrijk voor een gezonde bodem en zijn een belangrijke voedselbron voor veel soorten. Verontrustend is de bevinding dat een aantal soorten landslakken achteruitgaat. Sterker nog, het vermoeden bestaat dat een aantal soorten volledig zal verdwijnen als er niet snel actie wordt ondernomen.

Zeldzame en/of bedreigde slakken

Striped Helicinid (Helicina fasciata)- Photo credit: Tello Neckheim

Ongeveer 49 soorten weekdieren (kokkels en slakken) zijn gedocumenteerd op St. Maarten. Afhankelijk van de lijst die gebruikt wordt, zijn er tussen de 15 en 16 bedreigd, die ongeveer een derde van de weekdierpopulaties van het eiland vertegenwoordigen. Helaas is er te weinig onderzoek gedaan naar deze weekdieren om definitieve conclusies te trekken, maar het lijkt erop dat er al vier soorten verloren zijn gegaan, waaronder de Appelslak (Pomacea glauca), Gemarmerde Physa (Aplexa marmorata), Glabrous Ramshorn (Biomfalaria glabatra) en Mottled Fingernail Clam (Eupera viridans). En de landslakken Pupiform Mountain Snail (Chondropoma pupiforme), Striped Helicinid (Helicina fasciata), Transparante Bulimulus (Bulimulus diaphanous fraterculus) en nog enkele andere soorten worden bedreigd op St. Maarten.

Kritieke Habitats

Pleurodonte guadeloupensis martinensis- Photo credit: Tello Neckheim

De belangrijkste oorzaken van de achteruitgang van de populaties zijn het verlies van leefgebieden als gevolg van orkanen, vervuiling en constructie. In feite heeft het Franse deel van het eiland bijna geen primair (of origineel) bos meer. Secundair bos is hersteld bos waar, naast inheemse soorten planten en dieren, vaak veel geïntroduceerde exotische soorten zijn die een aantal andere problemen voor het eiland veroorzaken.

Een bijzonder kwetsbare habitat is bos met kalkrijke vochtige grond. Aan de Nederlandse kant van het eiland is dit leefgebied vooral te vinden bij Billy Folly, waar nog maar een beperkt stukje oorspronkelijk leefgebied aanwezig is. Bijna de hele “berg” is nu bebouwd met huizen. Tijdens het bezoek van 2021 is er een weg aangelegd dwars door het oerbos. Deze weg zal waarschijnlijk leiden tot nieuwbouwprojecten, wat kan leiden tot het verdwijnen van het laatste restant van het bos, waardoor alle aan dit gebied gebonden slakkensoorten verloren gaan.

Een ander verdwijnend leefgebied is vochtig secundair bos op neutrale grond. Dit leefgebied komt vooral voor op het Franse deel rond Mont Paradis. Dit leefgebied is schaars maar niet bedreigd omdat er geen bouwplannen zijn op en rond Mont Paradis. Aan de Nederlandse kant is het te vinden op Sentry hill en Sint Peter hill.

Belang van slakken

De slakken vormen een belangrijk onderdeel van het natuurlijke evenwicht van het eiland. Ze consumeren rottend bladafval en schimmels en kunnen helpen voedingsstoffen in de bodem te recyclen. Bovendien vormen ze een voedselbron voor een aantal zoogdieren, vogels, reptielen en zelfs insecten, en helpen ze voedingsstoffen in de bodem om te zetten in een verteerbare voedselbron voor grotere roofdieren. Een gezonde omgeving voor St. Maarten begint in de bodem, dus het begrijpen en behouden van deze kleine eilandbewoners zal van cruciaal belang zijn bij het beschermen van het delicate ecologische evenwicht van het eiland.

Meld je natuur waarnemingen

Heb je slakken gezien? Meld dan je natuurwaarnemingen en foto’s op de website www.Observation.org of download de gratis apps (iPhone (iObs) & Android (ObsMapp)).

Soortenrapporten door lokale gemeenschappen en toeristen zijn van onschatbare waarde voor inspanningen op het gebied van natuurbehoud om het publieke bewustzijn en de algemene bescherming van soorten te vergroten. Daarnaast werken de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), Observation International en Naturalis Biodiversity Center samen aan de ontwikkeling van een app voor je telefoon voor het geautomatiseerd identificeren van soorten. Uw geüploade foto’s zijn van grote waarde om dit mogelijk te maken. Neem voor vragen contact op met research@DCNAnature.org

Meer informatie

De volledige lijst van land- en zoetwaterweekdieren die tijdens dit onderzoek zijn gedocumenteerd, vindt u in de Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database.

 

 

 

Published in BioNews 52

 

The unique natural world of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom plays the leading role in a special cinema film entitled WOW!. This was announced during the SMILE event at the University of Sint Maarten at a press conference by 360º of Innovation from Aruba and M&N Media Group from the Netherlands. The production of the film about Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten has begun and the film will launch in cinemas in 2025 both in the Netherlands and on the islands.

from left to right you see Wyb Meijer from SHTA, Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern from the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten, Ignas van Schaick from EMS films from the Netherlands, Bianca Peters from 360º of Innovation of Aruba, Elton Arends of 360º of Innovation of Aruba and Tadzio Bervoets of DCNA

Bianca Peters, co-founder and director of 360º of Innovation, is delighted: “For us, WOW! Is a dream come true. The film will not only portray the beauty, diversity and resilience of nature on the islands in a special way but also the vulnerability and importance of a healthy balance between people and nature. Audiences on both sides of the Atlantic are sure to be amazed and filled with pride. Viewers will not have realized before how special nature is in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.”

In close collaboration with the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), the WOW! production team has started visiting possible film locations. Discussions are also currently taking place with stakeholders to gain a good insight into all the ins and outs of the local nature and the stories and developments on the islands.

“Unfortunately, the islands are often negatively in the news in the Netherlands. With this film, we want to build a bridge based on the connecting power of nature to help improve cooperation between the Netherlands and the islands. Diversity and inclusivity in the film and the production team is an important starting point. After all, we are one Kingdom!”, says Peters.

In addition to the film, the makers are also working on a television series that sheds light on the individual islands from the perspective of the relationship between people and nature. What challenges will there be for the inhabitants of the islands in the coming years in their route to a sustainable relationship with nature? But also which solutions have already been created. Various educational and musical programs are also being developed in which local talents are involved.

“I am extremely proud that we as a distributor are so closely involved in the realization of this special film project. It is obvious that we will use music from the islands as a soundtrack for this,” says Jeffrey de Graaff, co-owner of M&N Media Group.

“It is a great honor to be able to make this film about the six Caribbean islands of the Kingdom. We have already made many worldwide successful films about Dutch nature, such as De Nieuwe Wildernis and De Wilde Stad, but this is the first time that we will be filming on this side of the ocean. Collaboration with local parties is extremely important in this regard. We look forward to visiting all six islands in the upcoming period and exploring what we want to film together with a team of talented makers from diverse backgrounds,” said Ignas van Schaick, EMS FILMS.

The production team of WOW! consists of 360º of Innovation, EMS FILMS and associate producer AM Pictures. M&N Media Group is responsible for worldwide distribution.

The film will be shot over the next two years and is expected to be shown in cinemas in the Netherlands and on the islands in 2025. To learn more about WOW! Visit www.wowthenaturefilm.com or visit the Facebook page @wowthenaturefilm.

 

Published in BioNews 52

Nederlands, Papiamentu and Papiamento below

 

Last week, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance hosted a sea urchin (Diadema Antillarum) restoration workshop on Saba. This workshop was led by University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein (VHL). During the workshop experts and representatives from the Dutch Caribbean and Jamaica came together to join forces towards coral reef restoration. This workshop helped 21 coral experts from the Caribbean region and more than 65 online attendants, to obtain a comprehensive view of the overall situation of the Diadema sea urchin in the Caribbean, including the current die-off events and restoration techniques. Important discussions have taken place to determine the next steps needed to mitigate the loss of Diadema sea urchins on a regional scale.

Coral Reef Restoration

Coral reef restoration methods are showing promising results in supporting regional efforts for restoring degraded coral reefs in the Dutch Caribbean. Coral reef restoration in the Dutch Caribbean has focused heavily on corals. This workshop was built upon research and innovation that introduces the restoration of the important algae grazer: Long-spined Sea urchins (scientific name Diadema antillarum).

Photo credit: Stella Grau

Diadema sea urchins

Diadema sea urchins play a critical role in maintaining healthy coral reefs, which are essential for coastal protection and a crucial source of income for people in the Dutch Caribbean as they are a magnet for tourism. Diadema sea urchins help sustain the delicate balance within the reef by grazing on algae, which

are the main competitors of corals. In the mid-1980s, a disease swept through the Caribbean, wiping out nearly the entire sea urchin population. In mid-February 2022, reports started getting in about new extensive die-offs in the Caribbean region. By restoring Diadema sea urchins alongside corals and solving local threats such as wastewater issues, corals will have a higher chance to survive.

Photo credit: Stella Grau

Workshop outcomes

In the RAAK Pro Diadema project VHL works closely together with other research institutes and local partners to restore long spined sea urchin populations on the coral reefs around Saba and St. Eustatius. This project is showing promising results. The lead researchers Alwin Hylkema and Tom Wijers shared their impressive tools, techniques, and latest scientific findings to facilitate the restoration of Diadema in the Wider Caribbean region during the DCNA workshop.

Several topics were discussed, including the status of these reduced Diadema sea-urchins, recent Diadema die-off events and Diadema restoration techniques. The participants also received hands-on training sessions, to improve practical skills related to Diadema restoration. Besides the 21 participants present on Saba, over 65 people followed the open presentations online.

Multi-island project

During the workshop, there was intense dialogue between the Caribbean islands. Important partnerships have been established and knowledge and capacity gaps identified which needs to be solved to restore the Diadema sea urchins in the Dutch Caribbean. VHL, DCNA and the organizations present are now looking into the possibility to set-up a multi-island Diadema restoration project to accomplish a common goal: Restoring one of the most important and damaged marine ecosystems, the coral reefs.

This workshop was generously funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) as a support to the Nature and Environmental Policy Plan for the BES-islands, the Dutch Postcode Lottery and SIA, part of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

 

Stay up to date

If you would like to learn more about the Diadema workshop and DCNA’s activities, follow DCNA through their free digital newsletter BioNews (https://dcnanature.org/news/), Facebook (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) or Instagram (DCNAnature). For more information about the RAAK PRO Diadema project follow https://www.facebook.com/reefrestorationVHL/ or contact project leader alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl.

 

For more information on the Diadema workshop, please contact:

Tineke van Bussel, Research Communications Liason at research@dcnanature.org and

Dahlia Hassell – Knijff, Projects Officer at projects@dcnanature.org

Downloads & links >

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Nederlands

 

Vorige week organiseerde de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance een workshop voor het herstel van de zee-egels (Diadema Antillarum) op Saba. Deze workshop was onder leiding van de Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein (VHL). Tijdens de workshop kwamen de deskundigen en vertegenwoordigers uit het Nederland Caribisch gebied en Jamaica samen om de krachten te bundelen voor het herstel van koraalriffen. Deze workshop hielp 21 koraalexperts uit het Caribisch gebied en meer dan 65 online aanwezigen om een uitgebreid beeld te krijgen van de algehele situatie van de Diadema-zee-egel in het Caribisch gebied, inclusief de huidige voorvallen van afsterving en restauratietechnieken. Er hebben belangrijke besprekingen plaatsgevonden om te bepalen welke volgende stappen nodig zijn om het verlies van de Diadema-zee-egels op regionale schaal te beperken.

Herstel van koraalriffen

 Herstelmethoden voor koraalriffen laten veelbelovende resultaten zien bij het ondersteunen van regionale inspanningen voor het herstel van aangetaste koraalriffen in de Nederlandse Cariben. Het herstel van koraalriffen in de Nederlandse Cariben is sterk gericht op koralen. Deze workshop was gebaseerd op onderzoek en innovatie die het herstel van de belangrijke algengrazer introduceert: de zee-egel Diadema antillarum.

Photo credit: Stella Grau

Diadema zee-egels

De Diadema-zee-egels spelen een cruciale rol bij het in standhouden van gezonde koraalriffen, die essentieel zijn voor kustbescherming en een cruciale bron van inkomsten zijn voor de mensen in de Nederlandse Cariben omdat ze een magneet zijn voor het toerisme. Diadema-zee-egels helpen het delicate evenwicht in het rif te behouden door te grazen op algen, de belangrijkste concurrenten van koralen. Halverwege de jaren tachtig raasde een ziekte door het Caribisch gebied en vernietigde bijna de hele zee-egelpopulatie. Medio februari 2022 kwamen er berichten binnen over nieuwe grootschalige gevallen van afstervingen in het Caribisch gebied. Door de Diadema-zee-egels naast koralen te herstellen en de lokale bedreigingen zoals afvalwaterproblemen op te lossen, hebben koralen een grotere kans om te overleven.

Photo credit: Stella Grau

Resultaten van de Workshop

In het RAAK Pro Diadema-project werkt VHL nauw samen met andere onderzoeksinstituten en lokale partners om de populaties van langdoornige zee-egels op de koraalriffen rond Saba en St. Eustatius te herstellen. Dit project laat veelbelovende resultaten zien. De hoofdonderzoekers Alwin Hylkema en Tom Wijers deelden tijdens de DCNA-workshop hun indrukwekkende tools, technieken en nieuwste wetenschappelijke bevindingen om het herstel van de Diadema in het bredere Caribische gebied te vergemakkelijken.

Verschillende onderwerpen werden besproken, waaronder de status van deze gereduceerde Diadema-zee-egels, recente Diadema-afstervingsgebeurtenissen en Diadema-restauratietechnieken. De deelnemers kregen ook hands-on trainingen om praktische vaardigheden met betrekking tot Diadema-restauratie te verbeteren. Naast de 21 aanwezigen op Saba volgden ruim 65 mensen de open presentaties online.

Multi-eilandenproject

Tijdens de workshop was er een intense dialoog tussen de Caribische eilanden. Er zijn belangrijke samenwerkingsverbanden tot stand gebracht en kennis- en capaciteitslacunes geïdentificeerd die moeten worden opgelost om de Diadema-zee-egels in het Nederlands Caribisch gebied te herstellen. VHL, DCNA en de aanwezige organisaties onderzoeken nu de mogelijkheid om een multi-eiland Diadema restauratieproject op te zetten om een gemeenschappelijk doel te bereiken: het herstel van een van de belangrijkste en meest beschadigde mariene ecosystemen, de koraalriffen.

Deze workshop werd gefinancierd door het Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit (LNV) ter ondersteuning van het Natuur- en Milieubeleidsplan voor de BES-eilanden, de Nationale Postcode Loterij en SIA, dat een onderdeel is van de Nederlandse Onderzoeksraad (NWO).

 

Stay up to date

Blijf op de hoogte

Als je meer wilt weten over de Diadema-workshop en de activiteiten van DCNA, volg de DCNA dan via haar gratis digitale nieuwsbrief BioNews (https://dcnanature.org/news/), Facebook (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) of Instagram (DCNAnature). Voor meer informatie over het RAAK PRO Diadema project volg dan https://www.facebook.com/reefrestorationVHL/ of neem contact op met projectleider alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl.

 

Voor meer informatie over de Diadema workshop, neem a.u.b. contact op:

Tineke van Bussel, Research Communications Liason op research@dcnanature.org en

Dahlia Hassell – Knijff, Projects Officer op projects@dcnanature.org

Downloads & links >

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Papiamentu

Siman pasá, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance a organisá un tayer di restorashon di seapel (Diadema Antillarum) na Saba. E tayer akí tabata bou di guia di Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein (VHL). Durante e tayer ekspertonan i representantenan di e área di Karibe Hulandes i Jamaica a bini huntu pa uni forsa pa restorashon di ref di koral. E tayer akí a yuda 21 eksperto di koral di e region di Karibe i mas ku 65 partisipante ‘online’, pa haña bista amplio di e situashon general di e seapel Diadema den Karibe, inkluso e kasonan aktual di murimentu i di téknikanan di restorashon. Diskushonnan importante a tuma lugá pa determiná e siguiente pasonan nesesario pa moderá e pèrdida di seapel Diadema na nivel regional.

Restorashon di Ref di Koral

Métodonan di restorashon di ref di koral ta dunando resultadonan prometedor pa sosten di esfuersonan regional pa restorá refnan di koral na Karibe Hulandes. Restorashon di ref di koral na Karibe Hulandes a enfoká grandemente riba koralnan. E tayer akí tabata basá riba investigashon i inovashon ku ta introdusí restorashon di e komedó importante di alga: Seapel ku spiña largu (nòmber sientífiko Diadema antillarum).

Foto: Stella Grau

Seapel Diadema

Sea Diadema tin un papel importante den mantenshon di ref di koral saludabel, ku ta esensial pa protekshon di kosta i ta un fuente di entrada krusial pa hende na Karibe Hulandes komo ku ta forma un magnet pa turismo. Seapel Diadema ta yuda mantené e balansa delikado denter di e ref dor di kome alga, ku ta un kompetidor importante di koral. Medio di añanan 1980 un malesa a skeiru rònt di region di Karibe, kabando ku kasi hinter e populashon di seapel. Medio febrüari 2022, tin reportahenan a kuminsá drenta tokante kasonan ekstensivo di murimentu di seapel den region di Karibe. Dor di restorashon di Diadema den área di koral i solushonando menasanan lokal manera kasonan di awa di kloaka, koralnan lo tin mas chèns di sobrebibí.

Foto: Stella Grau

Resultadonan di e Tayer

Den e proyekto di RAAK Pro Diadema project, VHL ta traha estrechamente ku otro institutonan di investigashon i partnernan lokal pa restorá e populashonnan di seapel spiña largu riba e refnan di koral rònt di Saba i Statia. E proyekto akí ta dunando resultadonan prometedor. E lidernan di investigashon Alwin Hylkema i Tom Wijers a kompartí nan hèrmèntnan i téknikonan impreshonante i e e deskubrimentunan mas resien pa fasilitá restorashon di Diadema den e region di Karibe Amplio durante e tayer di DCNA.

A diskutí diferente tópiko, inkluso e status redusí di seapel Diadema, kasonan di murimentu resien di Diadema i téknikanan di restorashon di Diadema. E partisipantenan a risibí tambe seshonnan di training den práktika relashoná ku restorashon di Diadema. Ademas di e 21 partisipantenan presente na Saba, mas ku 65 persona a sigui e presentashonnan habrí ‘online’.

Proyekto di Múltiple Isla

Durante e tayer, tabatin diálogo intenso entre e islanan Karibense. A establesé lasonan di koperashon importante i a identifiká burakunan di kapasidat pa kua mester buska solushon pa restorá e seapel Diadema den Karibe Hulandes. VHL, DCNA i e organisashonnan presente ta investigando e posibilidat pa krea un proyekto di múltiple isla di restorashon di seapel Diadema pa realisá un meta komun: Restorashon di un di e ekosistemanan marino mas importante i deteriorá, e refnan di koral.

E tayer akí a haña sosten generoso di parti di Ministerio di Agrikultura, Naturalesa i Kalidat di Kuminda (LNV) di Hulanda komo un sosten di e Plan di Maneho pa Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente pa e islanan BES, Postcode Loterij Nederland i SIA, un parti di Nederlands Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO).

 

Keda bon na altura

Si bo ke haña sa mas tokante e tayer di Diadema i di DCNA su aktividatnan, sigui informashon di DCNA pa medio di nan boletin di notisia digital grátis BioNews (https://dcnanature.org/news/), Facebook (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) òf Instagram (DCNAnature). Pa mas informashon tokante e proyekto RAAK PRO Diadema bishitá https://www.facebook.com/reefrestorationVHL/ òf tuma kontakto ku lider di proyekto alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl.

 

Pa mas informashon tokante e tayer di Diadema, por fabor tuma kontakto ku:

Tineke van Bussel, Research Communications Liason na research@dcnanature.org i

Dahlia Hassell – Knijff, Projects Officer na projects@dcnanature.org

Downloads & links >

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Papiamento

Siman pasa Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (Aliansa pa Naturalesa di Caribe Hulandes a organisa un tayer di restauracion di bushi di lama (Diadema antillarum) na Saba. E tayer aki a wordo dirigi pa University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein (VHL).  Durante e tayer experto y representante di Caribe Hulandes y Jamaica a bini hunto pa uni forsa pa restauracion di e rifnan di coral. E tayer aki a yuda 21 experto den coral di e region di Caribe y mas di 65 siguidonan online a haya un bista amplio di e situacion di bushi di lama Diadema den Caribe, incluyendo evento actual di murimento di e bushinan y e tecnicanan di restauracion. Discusionnan importante a tuma luga pa determina e proximo pasonan necesario pa mengua perdida di bushi di lama Diadema riba escala regional.

Restauracion di e rifnan di coral

E metodonan di restauracion di e rifnan di coral ta mustrando resultado prometedo den apoyo na e esfuersonan regional pa restaura e rifnan di coral afecta den Caribe Hulandes. Restauracion di e rifnan di coral den Caribe Hulandes a concentra su mes den gran medida riba e coralnan. E tayer aki a basa su mes riba investigacion y innovacion cu ta introduci restauracion di e herbivoro di alga importante: e bushi di lama di spina largo (nomber cientifico Diadema antillarum).

Foto: Stella Grau

Bushi di lama Diadema

Bushi di lama Diadema ta hunga un papel crucial den mantene e rifnan di coral saludabel, cualnan ta esencial pa proteccion di costa y un fuente di ingreso crucial pa e personanan den Caribe Hulandes, ya cu nan ta un magnet pa turismo. Bushi di lama Diadema ta yuda mantene e delicado ekilibrio dentro di rif door di alimenta su mes cu alga, cu ta e principal competido di e coralnan. Memey di e decada di 1980, un enfermedad a pasa den Caribe y a caba cu casi henter e poblacion di bushi di lama. Memey di februari di 2022, a cuminsa yega informe tocante caso di morto masivo nobo den region Caribe. Restaurando bushi di lama Diadema hunto cu e coralnan y resolviendo e menasanan local, manera e problema di awa residual, e coralnan lo tin mas posibilidad di sobrevivi.

Foto: Stella Grau

Resultado di e tayer

Den proyecto RAAK Pro Diadema, VHL ta traha den estrecho colaboracion cu otro instituto di investigacion y socio local pa restaura poblacion di bushi di lama di spina largo den e rifnan di coral alrededor di Saba y Sint Eustatius. E proyecto aki ta mustrando resultado prometedo. E investigadonan principal Alwin Hylkema y Tom Wijers a comparti nan hermentnan impresionante, tecnica y e ultimo hallazgonan cientifico pa facilita restauracion di Diadema den region di Gran Caribe durante e tayer di DCNA.

A discuti varios tema, incluyendo e estado reduci di e bushinan di lama Diadema, e eventonan reciente di die-off di Diadema y e tecnicanan di restauracion di Diadema. E participantenan tambe a ricibi sesion di capacitacion practico pa mehora e habilidadnan practico relaciona cu restauracion di Diadema. Ademas di e 21 participantenan presente na Saba, mas di 65 persona a sigui e presentacionnan habri online.

Proyecto multiisla

Durante e tayer tabatin un dialogo intenso entre e islanan di Caribe. A establece asociacion importante y a identificado gap di conocemento y capacidad cu mester wordo resolvi pa restauracion di bushi di lama Diadema den Caribe Hulandes. VHL, DCNA y e organisacionnan presente ta analisando e posibilidad di establece un proyecto di restauracion di Diadema na varios isla pa logra un obhetivo comun: restaura un di e ecosistemanan marino mas importante y afecta, e rifnan di coral.

E tayer aki tabata generosamente financia pa Ministerio di Agricultura, Naturalesa y Calidad Alimentaria (LNV) como apoyo na  Plan di Maneho Ambiental y di Naturalesa pa e islanan BES, Loteria di Codigo Postal Hulandes y SIA, parte di Conseho di Investigacion Hulandes (NWO) .

 

Keda al tanto

Si ta desea di ricibi mas informacion tocante e tayer di Diadema y e actividades di DCNA, sigui DCNA via su boletin digital gratuito BioNews (https://dcnanature.org/news/), Facebook (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) of Instagram (DCNAnature). Pa mas informacion tocante e proyecto RAAK PRO Diadema, sigui https://www.facebook.com/reefrestorationVHL/ of comunica cu e lider di proyecto alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl.

 

Pa haya mas informacion tocante e tayer Diadema, por comunica cu:

Tineke van Bussel, Liason di Comunicacion di Investigacion den research@dcnanature.org y

Dahlia Hassell – Knijff, Oficial di Proyecto den projects@dcnanature.org

Downloads & links >

 

 

Published in BioNews 52

On January 17th, 2022, Mark Zagers, Managing Director of the Saba Electric Company (SEC), officially handed over the keys to Peter Johnson, President of the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), the new tenant of the old power plant at the Fort Bay harbor. Also present were commissioner, Bruce Zagers, other SCF board members, resident researchers, and staff. After the handover, the group toured and inspected the newly renovated facility.

Due to climate change, overfishing, coastal development and other stresses, coral reefs worldwide are drastically in decline and scientists are racing to save the “rainforest of the sea” from extinction. The facility will provide novel opportunities to conduct coral reef research at an ideal location, adjacent to the Saba Marine Park and near the Saba Bank. The project was initiated in collaboration and with support of the island government.

Kai Wulf, managing director of the SCF, explained: “Our plans are to enhance the building to provide a controlled environment, so called mesocosms, to grow and study reef organisms, to better understand and control factors that impact and promote their wellbeing, with the aim to develop practical solutions to restore marine ecosystems.”

Official key handover; from left to right: Ayumi Kuramae Izioka, Saba Bank Science Coordinator, Lynn Costenaro, Board Member, Saba Conservation Foundation Mark Zagers, Managing Director, Saba Electric Company Peter Johnson, President, Saba Conservation Foundation Alwin Hylkema, Resident Researcher, Van Hall Larenstein University, Bruce Zagers, Commissioner, Saba Island Government. Credit: Kai Wulf

Services provided by Saba’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems are vitally important to the island’s fisheries and tourism industries, with an estimated total economic value of US $29 million per year (TEEB Study, Wolf’s Company 2014).

For example, by cultivating and restocking Diadema sea urchins, important herbivores decimated in the Caribbean by a viral disease during the early 1980s, algae growth that is now smothering and choking corals, could be vastly reduced. Scientists may also be able to develop new techniques to propagate stony coral that is more resilient to rising ocean temperatures and C02 induced acidification.

Successful research and coral restoration practices could bring much publicity and elevate Saba’s visibility internationally. Additionally, the research facility will create a new form of sustainable tourism for Saba, attracting scientists, students and coral reef restoration practitioners to the island. These visitors usually stay for longer periods and often bring family and friends, contributing substantially to the economy to the island. Further benefits will not just include guided tours, but could also provide career options for local students interested in marine biology and engage interested residents in meaningful citizen science.

The finalization of the building modifications approved by SEC and full operational capacity depend on the ability of the SCF and its partners to raise the necessary funding.

Concept drawing of future research station. Credit: Kai Wulf

 

 

Published in BioNews 51