Page 8 - SeatrekBVI Brochure
P. 8
Choose How You Want to Explore the Sea
Marine Ecology – study the delicate ecosystems that SEA TURTLE TAGGING & MONITORING
abound under water, and how these worlds within worlds Prior to the voyage, students will research the common sea
are being threatened everyday… and what you can do to turtle species of the Caribbean—mainly Green, Hawksbill
help protect and preserve the balance. and Leatherback—and the natural and human-related
threats to their survival.
Sea-creature Behavior – the many creatures that make
the reefs their home have fascinating behaviors and strange During the voyage, they will participate in the sea turtle
and wonderful rituals that helps keep them healthy and ecology and identification presentation, students will have
happy in their environment… discover how each unique the opportunity to:
species interacts within their own ‘communities’, and with
other species through precise observations. • Work with the staff biologists
• Train in turtle tagging and monitoring
Reef Systems – more biologically-diverse than even a • Assist in all aspects of the turtle tagging and
rainforest, coral reefs are home to a fascinating system monitoring project being conducted by the
of diverse organisms, all living and interacting together BVI’s Conservation and Fisheries Department.
in these one-of-a-kind environments. You get the chance
to explore and learn all about these vibrant but fragile Students will be taught how to catch, tag and examine turtles
systems – by focusing on specific to make important measurements and observations that
life forms of the reefs, or take will be used in the CFD’s long-term turtle monitoring and
the big-picture approach conservation programs, along with training in identification
and study the overview of and data entry.
the coral reef’s life cycles. The CFD project is interested in determining the size and
health of various turtle species, as well as turtle population
dynamics, nesting locations, migration patterns, and natural
and human-related events that threaten their survival.
