2024 Roatan Diving Highlights
Once again, my brother, Larry (a.k.a. "Zeb") and I spent several weeks diving and seeing friends in Roatan, Honduras! I was a bit concerned about having enough really good video content this year for a host of reasons. We had some storms that impacted visibility ... and made some dives difficult with more surge and current. The reef took a pretty bad hit this past year with the White Coral disease (See an overview below).
But when I got back and started looking at the raw video and organizing it found there was indeed some really great stuff there to share. So below are two videos ... first up is the story of the EELS. Each year they seem to be more aggressive in terms of interacting with SCUBA divers. While this may sound (and look) like a dangerous thing it is quite contrary. First, eels are pretty much blind having very poor eyesight. Second, they have an awesome nose and use it to navigate and to hunt. As the Red Lionfish has largely taken an apex predatorily position on the reefs it has prompted a huge effort to spearfish them to remove them as a reef threat. So the eels have LEARNED that when they see SCUBA divers they want to swim out and "sniff" them over to see if they are "trailing" any speared Lionfish alongside of them. When they find Lionfish on the divers, they are VERY CLEAVER about STEALING them from the divers and ... in effect ... getting a FREE LUNCH. They will take them right off the spear or stringer.
Bottom line they are just aggressive about finding a free lunch ... and want to see if they can take it away from you. Once they know there is no free lunch they swim off to await the next unsuspecting diver! Just push them away. Watch our adventures with the eels below!!!!!!!!!
But when I got back and started looking at the raw video and organizing it found there was indeed some really great stuff there to share. So below are two videos ... first up is the story of the EELS. Each year they seem to be more aggressive in terms of interacting with SCUBA divers. While this may sound (and look) like a dangerous thing it is quite contrary. First, eels are pretty much blind having very poor eyesight. Second, they have an awesome nose and use it to navigate and to hunt. As the Red Lionfish has largely taken an apex predatorily position on the reefs it has prompted a huge effort to spearfish them to remove them as a reef threat. So the eels have LEARNED that when they see SCUBA divers they want to swim out and "sniff" them over to see if they are "trailing" any speared Lionfish alongside of them. When they find Lionfish on the divers, they are VERY CLEAVER about STEALING them from the divers and ... in effect ... getting a FREE LUNCH. They will take them right off the spear or stringer.
Bottom line they are just aggressive about finding a free lunch ... and want to see if they can take it away from you. Once they know there is no free lunch they swim off to await the next unsuspecting diver! Just push them away. Watch our adventures with the eels below!!!!!!!!!
The EEL's ...
Best of the REEF MARINE LIFE ... 2024
Check out this video to see some awesome video of the rich Roatan Marine Park marine life.
Be sure to go PAST the CREDITS to see a bonus "trailer" titled "OFF THE REEF" of the rich variety of non-diving activities.
Maybe one of my best videos so far of diving in Roatan ...
Be sure to go PAST the CREDITS to see a bonus "trailer" titled "OFF THE REEF" of the rich variety of non-diving activities.
Maybe one of my best videos so far of diving in Roatan ...
White Coral Disease - An Overview
White coral disease, also known as white plague, is a condition affecting coral reefs worldwide. Here's an overview:
The above courtesy of ChatGPT
While we were on Roatan this trip we met with several folks involved in having Coral Restoration programs. For years Larry & Mike have "volunteered" our time to help clean nursery coral and to transplant new coral on the reef. We wanted to do more. So, we are again "volunteering" our time and expertise to help those organization in their reef restoration efforts. Specifically, the DATA COLLECTION and the DATA ORGANIZATION & STORAGE. The jury is still out as of 01 May 2024 as to if and how this may come to operational. We are anxious to help and hoping for some positive replies to our proposal below. (Two tables on reef health indicators compliments of ChatGPT)
- Origin and Causes:
- The exact origin of white coral disease is not fully understood, but it's believed to be caused by a combination of factors including bacterial infections, environmental stressors, and possibly other pathogens.
- Environmental stressors such as pollution, increased water temperatures due to climate change, overfishing, and habitat destruction can weaken coral, making them more susceptible to disease.
- Symptoms:
- White coral disease manifests as white patches or bands on the coral's surface.
- The affected areas typically lose their coloration, appearing bleached or dead.
- The disease can spread rapidly, leading to extensive coral mortality if not addressed.
- Function:
- The disease disrupts the symbiotic relationship between corals and the algae living within their tissues, which provide them with essential nutrients through photosynthesis.
- As a result, corals become stressed and are more vulnerable to additional infections and environmental pressures.
- Treatment:
- Unfortunately, there's currently no widely accepted treatment for white coral disease.
- Efforts to mitigate the impacts of the disease typically focus on addressing underlying stressors such as reducing pollution, regulating fishing practices, and implementing measures to combat climate change.
- Some research is being conducted into potential probiotic treatments, where beneficial bacteria are introduced to the coral to help combat the pathogens responsible for the disease. However, these approaches are still experimental and require further study.
- Prevention:
- Protecting coral reefs from stressors such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction is crucial for preventing the onset and spread of white coral disease.
- Implementing measures to combat climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting reef resilience through marine protected areas and restoration efforts, is essential for the long-term health of coral ecosystems.
- Research and Conservation Efforts:
- Scientists continue to study white coral disease to better understand its causes, transmission pathways, and potential treatments.
- Conservation organizations and governments are working to implement strategies to protect and restore coral reefs, including monitoring and surveillance programs to detect disease outbreaks early and implementing management measures to reduce stressors on coral ecosystems.
The above courtesy of ChatGPT
While we were on Roatan this trip we met with several folks involved in having Coral Restoration programs. For years Larry & Mike have "volunteered" our time to help clean nursery coral and to transplant new coral on the reef. We wanted to do more. So, we are again "volunteering" our time and expertise to help those organization in their reef restoration efforts. Specifically, the DATA COLLECTION and the DATA ORGANIZATION & STORAGE. The jury is still out as of 01 May 2024 as to if and how this may come to operational. We are anxious to help and hoping for some positive replies to our proposal below. (Two tables on reef health indicators compliments of ChatGPT)
Reef Health Indicators
Developing a database to monitor the health of coral nurseries and transplant sites is crucial for successful coral restoration efforts. When selecting health indicators, it's important to consider parameters that reflect both the chemical and physical conditions necessary for coral growth and survival. Here are some suggestions for health indicators along with explanations of their importance:
- Coral Cover: This is the percentage of the seabed covered by live coral. It's a direct measure of the abundance and health of coral populations in the nurseries and transplant sites.
- Coral Growth Rate: Annual growth rate can be calculated by measuring changes in the size of coral colonies over time. It indicates the productivity and vitality of the corals.
- Calcification Rate: Coral calcification is a key process for building their skeletons. Monitoring calcification rate provides insights into the ability of corals to build and maintain their skeletal structure under current environmental conditions.
- Bleaching Events: Monitoring the occurrence and severity of coral bleaching events can indicate stress on coral populations due to factors such as temperature, light, or pollution.
- Algal Cover: The percentage cover of algae on coral surfaces can indicate competition for space and resources. Excessive algal growth can smother corals and hinder their growth.
- Water Quality Parameters: Monitoring parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels can provide insights into the suitability of the environment for coral growth and survival.
- Sedimentation Rate: Excessive sedimentation can smother coral polyps and interfere with their feeding and respiration processes. Monitoring sedimentation rate helps assess the impact of nearby land-use activities.
- Disease Incidence: Monitoring the prevalence and severity of coral diseases can indicate the overall health status of coral populations and potential stressors in the environment.
- Reproductive Success: Monitoring the reproductive output of corals, such as the number of spawning events or recruitment of new coral recruits, can indicate the potential for population recovery and resilience.
- Bioerosion Rate: Bioerosion by organisms such as parrotfish and sea urchins can damage coral skeletons. Monitoring bioerosion rate helps assess the balance between coral growth and erosion processes.