We arrived in La Cieba over a week a go and met the other volunteers and staff. since then we have been in training for the Reef Check program. We are staying on the island of Cayos Cochinos Pequeno, Honduras. It is a research island. We are staying in cabins that are rustic but do have running water, potable, toilets, showers, etc. we are diving most days but the weather hasnt been cooperating most days so we arent diving as much as we need to be to complete the project. we now have three days and nine dives to complete. it will be a tall order but we should be able to accomplish it. we are all dedicated.
the work we are doing is part of a worldwide network of research that determines the health of the reef systems by checking on populations of key indicator species as well as the overall health of coral (soft and hard).
Forrest and I were assigned fish identification, which isnt easy, but we managed to do very well. we scored pretty high on the id test. it involved us carrying two and half meter poles while following a set transectline over 100 meters long. then we count the fish in that trasect who fall in those indicator fish species. we did quite well. even with us being the least experienced divers. in the short time i have been here i have almost tripled my dive experience. my buoucy control is so much better.
Our jobs were changed yesterday and now we are identifying recent damage which includes disease, damage and predation. not as fun as the fish survey but still useful.
yesterday we got a fun dive in and went to a site where there was a down plane. it was interesting to see how the reef had claimed it and already there is significant growth after ten plus years. its habitat for several species of fish, invertabrates and coral (soft and hard).
We only wish the weather would cooperate more so we can finish the work we came here for. we leave this friday.
the island itself is quite tropical and pretty. it is home to endemic species of iguana, hermit crabs, snakes (no venomous), geckos, land crabs, and plenty of mosquitos.
the food situation has been interesting. we have worked it out but honduran food has not been very compatible with our strict diets. we are coping and they have been more than gracious in trying to accomodate.
as for the team the staff are made up of two english, one german and a honduran scientist. the volunteers are five americans, two germans, an englishman and forrest and i.
its been great experience for sure.
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