w w w.caribbeanreefmag.com
Dive Fest
Tobago’s 1st Underwater Carnival
Turtle Conservation in GUATEMALA
Issue # 2 July - Sept 2010
Discover Moray Eels
THE VILLAS AT S T O N E H AV E N “If you are looking for comfort, leisure and serenity, be sure to stay at the Villas at Stonehaven, Tobago. As a ‘Small Luxury Hotel of the WorldTM’, the Villas at Stonehaven are by no means petite in their service to anyone who loves to experience such pleasures. Ideal for group stays, each villa is equipped with a cheerful resident housekeeper, allowing a very relaxed atmosphere. Each spacious villa has its own infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and you can even expect to awaken each morning to the delightful sounds of singing birds and humming birds hovering amongst the trees. Caribbean REEF Magazine’s editorial team can surely attest to the luxury of the Villas at Stonehaven while on assignment for Tobago’s Underwater Carnival.” ~Ife Smenkh-Ka-Ra, Managing Editor Caribbean REEF Magazine
P.O. Box 1079, Bon Accord, Black Rock, Tobago, West Indies. Tel.: +1 (868)-639-0361 Fax: +1 (868)-639-0102 Email : stonehav@tstt.net.tt
w w w. s t o n e h a v e n v i l l a s . c o m
F e at u r e s
4
w w w. c a r i b b e a n re e f m a g. co m
Sections Publisher
Caribbean Footprints Publishing Co. Ltd.
Dive Hot Spot
Marine Life Publication Design & Layout Explored Copy Editor Ife Smenkh-Ka-Ra
Cheryl Ng Foon
Contributing Writers
Wreck Dives
Raynard Burnside Arielle Aberdeen Laura-Marie Hands Alana Babb
Phone
1 (868) 732.5615
Skype caribbean.reef.magazine
Sales info@caribbeanREefmag.com
Reef Conservation Corner Awareness
Submitting article ideas, reviews, event postings and other comments , write to: info@caribbeanreefmag.com. Publisher > Entire contents Š2010 Caribbean Footprints Publishing Co. Ltd. ISSN 2079-6935. Published by Caribbean Footprints Publishing Co. Ltd. P.O Box 3393, Maraval, Trinidad, W.I. Phone : 1-868-732-5615. Reproduction in whole or in part without CFPCL permission is prohibited. CFPCL neither endorses nor assumes responsibility of trademark or any content published.
w w w. c a r i b b e a n re e f m a g. co m
5
CONTRI B UTORS Raynard Burnside is a free-diver from Rum Cay, Bahamas, which has a population of 57. As a young boy growing up, he explored the underwater sea world through many recreational sports and aquatic activities, such as non-competitive free-diving, water polo, free-diving photography, water volleyball, non-competitive spear fishing, underwater hunting other than spearfishing and snorkeling. He studied agribusiness management in his undergraduate work at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. He holds an advance Masters degree in Tropical Animal Science and Production. After completing his studies, he took up temporary residence in Trinidad and Tobago where he continues to be involved in his underwater adventures and is now a freelance writer for Caribbean REEF magazine. Arielle Aberdeen is a 20 year old Advanced Open Water diver and Trinbagonian resident, fairly new to the world of diving. She is currently stuck on land as she completes her law degree. She is in a love affair with diving, the ocean and yoga while dreaming about combining all three. She is eagerly awaiting semester break when she can get her fins back into the water. Laura Hands is a 24-year old Marine Biologist from Liverpool, UK. She began diving in 2006 and has dived across the world from Indonesia to Madagascar to Tobago in the Caribbean, where she has worked with different conservation groups. She has also been involved with many Sea Turtle conservation groups both in the Caribbean and Latin America. She is currently employed at an aquatics centre in the UK but regularly returns to the Caribbean to visit friends and catch up on some diving. 6
w w w. c a r i b b e a n re e f m a g. co m
FULL PAGE ADVERT
Message from the Editor Ife Smenkh-ka-Ra
We’re into our 2nd issue already! Here’s what we have in store for you. Our dive adventures took us into the first ever Tobago Underwater Carnival where we metmany dive and reef lovers from around the Caribbean, US and UK. Caribbean REEF Mag’s team undertook some wonderful dives which extended from Arnos Vale around Buccoo Reef to Stingray Alley on the south side of Tobago. The oil spill hasn’t left our region unscathed, so we share with you a poem by Alana Babb which highlights the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We’re in a moray eel mood for our marine life pages. So enjoy this sea creature from the comfort of your iPad screen maybe? Our conservation corner allows us to travel to Guatemala to experience turtle conservation efforts by volunteers of ARCAS. Amazing conservation efforts are being made throughout the region and we’re excited to bring them to you. Happy Diving :^)
Ife Smenkh-Ka-Ra
Publisher and Managing Editor
8
w w w. c a r i b b e a n re e f m a g. co m
Follow us
Tobago
When it comes to dive this issue, our correspo Dive Fest.
By Raynard Burns
Raynard, relaxing getting wet
Our editor, Ife about for a dive at Stingray Tobago!
w w w.caribbeanreefmag.com
o Underwater Carnival
festivals, few have tempted the Caribbean dive lovers. For ondent, Raynard Burnside takes us into Tobago’s very first
g before
to roll y Alley,
F
took many photos, capturing Tobago’s diverse fauna, flora and spectacular bays along
or me, Tobago Under- the way. water Carnival was fun, sea When I arrived, I felt the exand adventure! As a non-diver citement in the air. I was curi-
and snorkeller, the experience ous as to what to expect from was definitely thrilling. I arrived my first Dive Festival. Local, in Tobago on Friday evening, regional and international div-
and checked in at the elegant ers and non-divers were in atand exotic Villas at Stone- tendance. There were opening
Haven; from there, I went up remarks from the Association of to Extra Divers Tobago where I Tobago Dive Operators (ATDO) registered for the dive festival and Tobago Department of with Master Scuba Diver Markus Tourism representativ es. SCUBaumgartner who operates in BAPRO®, one of the sponsors, Crown Point. I had the option gave a presentation on their of taking the shuttle or driving latest dive gear, and showmy rental car to the eastern cased their latest camera, the
DIVE HOT SPOT
side
side of the island to attend the SeaLife® DC 1200 Underwater opening party. Our destination- camera which I got the oppor-
Speyside, was a beautiful and tunity to test underwater. I was scenic view, a hour and half given a one-on-one demonstradrive to the opening party that tion of SeaLife® DC 1200 underwas held at Blue Waters Inn. I water camera by Fraser Purdon
w w w. c a r i b b e a n re e f m a g. co m
11
DIVE HOT SPOT // Tobago Underwater Carnival
into the warm
tered various
er aquatic li graphed lots life forms; so
able to iden Coral, Brain
Sea Fan, Fea
French Grun
rotfish, Trump
of the marine
(Caribbean Territory Respre- served; I was then presented sentative),
which
proved with a gift bag, filled with an
to be very easy and enjoy- array of resourceful and useable to use. My network skills ful materials and gadgets. with other attendees were On
Saturday
and
Sunday
effective, as I was able to mornings the weather was meet various individuals who clear, the sea was calm and shared breath-taking under- I eagerly awaited some unwater world stories that cap- derwater
adventure.
Our
tured my interest more and boat captain, George of Exmore. The opening night was tra Divers Tobago, was very not quite over, with expres- friendly and had lots of sea sion of the islands’ Trinbago- stories, filled with adventure, nian steel pan sounds being mystery and suspense. Our
played in the background, first dive and snorkel site was drinks and finger foods being Arnos Vale Bay. As I plunged 12 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 12
Dive Hot Spot // Tobago Underwater Carnival
m water, I immediately encoun- was able to chat with some of the locals who
s corals, schools of fish and oth- were also on the snorkelling expedition, as
ife forms. I photoof underwater sea me of which I was
ntify were Lettuce Coral, Fire Coral,
ather Duster Worm,
“I learnt a lot about sea turtles, especially how to identify them”
nt, Yellowtail Par-
they gave me a brief history of the Bay. On Saturday evening, Linda and Lynn Laymon of Dive Training Magazine gave informative and practical demonstrations
on
underwater
petfish and Squirrelfish, because photography. Some key areas covered were
e sea life chart in my gift bag. I teamwork between the model and photograDiscover diving for kids at Rex Turtle Beach Hotel, Tobago
Kids in their ScubaDoRags by CoCo Cheznaynay
Kids even got to test out SCUBAPRO® gear!
13 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 13
DIVE HOT SPOT // Tobago Underwater Carnival pher, trusting the photographer, re- sea turtles (Hawksbill and Green), specting the model and good com- I’m now able to distinguish between munication. I was enlightened and the two, all thanks to Mrs. Cazabonready to put those attributes into Mannette’s interactive turtle idenpractice.
tification
On Sunday
session.
evening,
For
Michelle
remain-
Cazabon-
ing week-
Mannette,
d a y s ,
a
Turtle
there was
Conserva-
continu-
tion
Offi-
ous scuba
cer for Tur-
diving and
tle Village
snorkelling
Trust
fea-
through-
tured
“Bi-
out
the
the
ology and
southern
Conserva-
side
tion of Tur-
Long Spined Squirrellfish, Photo By : Beverly Speed
the island, boat
tles”. Her presenta-
of
captain
tion was very interactive, allowing George of Extra Divers Tobago notus to participate in the discussion. I ed that Stingray Alley, Buccoo Chanlearnt a lot about sea turtles, espe- nel and Mount Irvine Wall are great cially how to identify them in Trinidad and Tobago; only five (5) species are found in local waters , all are endangered and there
“Everyone was fascinated by the marine life he captured”
scuba diving sites. There was the Discover diving for school kids held at the Rex Beach Hotel swimming pool; families brought along their kids
are only seven to eight species in the who also participated in the underworld! Of the two (2) most common water fashion show in the swimming 14 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
Dive Hot Spot // Tobago Underwater Carnival pool. The underwater fashion wear week; I took several shots of the kids was provided by CoCo Cheznay- displaying their underwater fashion nay® (she-nay-nay) Suuz Martines gear while other attendees joined in who added her array of watery the fun. chimera
The
of
turtle
beautiful
watching
colored Scu-
experience
baDoRag™.
took place in
The
the evening
kids
modelled
on
Grafton
their
attire
Beach;
and
they
fore
be-
watch-
too had the
ing the tur-
opportunity
tles nest, the
to test SCU-
Save Our Sea
BAPRO® kids
Turtles (SOS)
snorkelling
conservation
gear during
group in To-
the try-dive
bago
sessions.
I
member vol-
given
unteers and
oppor-
staff gave a
tunity to test
talk on the
my photog-
organiza-
raphy
tion’s mission,
was the
with
skills Seal-
ife® underwater cam-
Trumpetfish, Photo by : Michael Ludwig
scale
core
and
scope of their activities
eras and apply Lynn and Linda Lay- and on-going research projects. We mon’s practical demonstrations and were also briefed on turtle-friendly Fraser Purdon’s one-on-one use of tips and encounter guidelines. After the SeaLife® DC 1200 underwater the talk, we proceeded to the turtles’ camera that they gave earlier in the nesting area on the beach, where a
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 15
Raynard testing Scubapro ‘s equipment © Ife360
gigantic leatherback turtle was lay- Oswald Williams, highlighting the ing its eggs. At the time, it measured success of Tobago’s first-ever Dive 97 cm in carapace length. I count- Fest. President of ATDO, Alvin Douged up to 77 eggs as it continued lay- las, spoke and shared his experience ing more. It was breathtaking to see of the dive fest. Ty Sawyer showed a
such a huge sea animal on shore magnificent presentation on his unlaying several eggs. derwater photography photos. EvThe closing reception of Tobago’s eryone was fascinated by the marine Underwater Carnival was held at life he captured. The evening closed the Pigeon Point Heritage Park with off with a local steel drum pannist remarks from Tobago’s Secretary of starting the partying with a variety of Tourism and Planning, Assemblyman calypso and Caribbean music, with
Laying of eggs by Leatherback turtle © Ife360 Photography
Try dive of Scubapro © Raynard Burnside
16 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
Liz S ism, REEF © Ra
Dive Hot Spot // Tobago Underwater Carnival an all-inclusive open beach BBQ and bar drinks. As I networked, everyone shared how they all look forward to Tobago underwater dive festival 2011!!!
Fraser Purdon of Scubapro Š Raynard Burnside
Sloper, Avion Hercules of Tobago Board of TourIfe Smenkh-ka-Ra, Managing Editor of Caribbean F Mag, Ray Sloper of Seltab Executive Tours aynard Burnside
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 17
C O N S E R VAT I O N C O R N E R
Turtle
w w w. c a r i b b e a n re e f m a g. co m
By LAURA HANDS
Conservation in Guatemala 19 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 19
Conservation Corner // Turtle Conservation in Guatemala
has b of con marin The tu waii o ed are of Mo Hawa
Green sea turtle with sunburst, By Idreamphotos
F
or this issue I would like to discuss the work being done by ARCAS-ASOCIACIĂ“N DE RESCATE Y CONSERVACIĂ“N DE VIDA SILVESTRE (translated Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association) in Guatemala. ARCAS is a non-profit Guatemalan (Non-Governmental Organisation) NGO that was formed in 1989 by a group of concerned locals wanting to do something to protect their environment and conserve their ever declining wildlife populations. It was originally set up to build a rescue centre to care for and rehabilitate wild animals that were being confiscated on the black market by the Guatemalan government. Since its establishment, ARCAS has grown and 20 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 20
Conservation Corner // Turtle Conservation in Guatemala
ranched out into many different aspects nservation including education and the ne turtle conservation site. urtle hatchery is situated in Parque Haon the Pacific coast, a 3-hectare protectea on the beach 7km east from the town nterrico and 2km west from the village of aii. The park consists of a large comfort-
able rancho with volunteer quarters, a separate volunteer house, kitchen, bathrooms and a library/office. There are plenty of exhibits inside the rancho to educate both the tourists and local people about the threats to the local environment. There is also crocodile and iguana captive breeding on-site behind the main rancho building. A mere one hundred
Hawksbill turtle, By Greg Amptman
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 21
A li Lau inG vol wi New Olive Ridley hatchling ready for release
A hatchling heading out to sea
22 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
little bit of ura’s stay Guatemala lunteering ith ARCAS Hawaii beach where collection happens Bag of turtle eggs ready for their new nest
Laura digging a new nest site
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 23
Conservation Corner // Turtle Conservation in Guatemala metres away on the beach is the turtle hatchery, turtle hospital and educational tanks containing baby turtles. The Parque Hawaii site was established in 1993 to help improve turtle population numbers after a swift decline. Despite their endangered status, virtually all turtle nests in Guatemala are raided of their eggs. The local people believe that turtle eggs have aphrodisiac qualities so consider them a delic a c y. ARCAS runs the m o s t productive of the 21 hatcheries in G u a temala with an average of 40,000 Olive Ridley and Leatherback sea turtle eggs rescued every year. This accounts for about 50% of all turtle eggs collected in Guatemala. Turtle eggs are collected by volunteers walking in small teams along the beach for anything up to 16km every night (personal choice dependent upon fit-
ness) during nesting season. The best situation occurs when the turtle is observed nesting and eggs can be collected easily without causing stress to the animal and with minimum damage to the eggs. It can be quite exhilarating racing poachers to the turtle and claiming it as your own. The sight of a female turtle laying its eggs is one of the most memorable moments of my life, especially on the occasions where I was able to place my hand undern e a t h her to c a t c h the eggs ( a n d w a r m mucus) as she laid. Incredible! When local egg collectors/ poachers get to the turtle first, they are expected to give a 10% donation of all collected eggs to ensure the continuation of the population. All eggs are then reburied in the secure hatchery and around 50 days later the hatchlings reappear and are released into the sea
24 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
Conservation Corner // Turtle Conservation in Guatemala with the help of the volunteers. Community education is a major part of the work at Parque HawaiI. ARCAS ensures that economic, social and educational needs of the community are also met. They realise that for some people the collection and sale of these eggs is a major part of their income so without it they would suffer to survive.
I would highly recommend this conservation trip as it was so rewarding. To feel like you have saved hundreds of baby turtles gives you an incredible sense of achievement and a feeling that you are truly helping to save the environment. The staff and locals are extremely friendly and it is an extremely beautiful place to stay in.
Hawksbill turtle cruising above coral reef Š Mark Doherty
Therefore as part of the programme, they offer egg collectors the chance to sell their eggs to the hatchery therefore enabling the survival of the turtle eggs along with providing the local community with a source of income.
Although ARCAS is a conservation group it is indirectly associated with diving and reefs, I feel it is important to include sea turtles in this magazine as they are an extremely important aspect of life on the coral reef and spend the
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 25
Conservation Corner // Turtle Conservation in Guatemala majority of their lives there. So whether you are a diver or not you can still fully enjoy the good work of helping out a marine animal. If you would like to become involved in this programme please visit www.arcasguatemala.com for more information.
26
“I would highly recommend this conservation trip as it was so rewarding�
Hatchling heading out to sea Š Ife360 Photography
Leatherback turtle at dawn covering nest Š Ife360 Photography
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 27
Conservation Corner // Turtle Conservation in Guatemala
A hatchling heading out to sea. Š Ife360 Photography
28 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 29
REEF AWARENESS // Lion of the Sea
Oil...Spilled It started as a leak and turned into a spill From the Gulf of Mexico it flowed until It gushed into parts of America As well as Panama City in Florida Resulting in a lack of warm tropical breeze For life on earth, save our Caribbean seas This greasy substance is adversely affecting the rich biodiversity Of our Caribbean countries Pelicans and birds are under threat Sea turtles are quite upset The contaminated water will spread disease For life on earth, save our Caribbean seas
Oil bein in an att ‘kill’ the © Kris K
The fishes can’t survive in this polluted water Soon their marine life will be over The chocolate-brown blanket of oil Has caused much pain and toil This flow of oil must cease For life on earth, save our Caribbean seas
By ALANA BABB
30 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
Oil covered pelicans found off the Louisiana coast and affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill © heeavenmelee
Mark Dodd, wildlife biologist from Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, surveying oiled sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico. © Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
ng burned tempt to e oil spill Krug
One of 10 heavily oiled Kemp’s Ridley turtles recovered © NOAA, National 31 Service w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m aOcean g.com
MORAY EELS By ARIELLE ABERDEEN
A brightly coloured and spotted Golden Tail Moray Eel eyes us from the coral reef. By Debrorah Coles 32 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
A
tures averaging around 3 m in length, with individuals growing up to be larger.
MARINE LIFE EXPLORED
s you swim near a Their dorsal fins extend from rock crevice, you suddenly the back of their heads and notice this snake-like head, are joined with their caudal with small beady eyes and and anal fins, with no pec-
a mouth which opens and toral and pelvic fins. They closes menacingly, peeping have a narrow head, small through a rock crevice, eyes beady eyes, a strong jaw, glued to you.
Congratula- and a full set of sharp teeth. tions! You have just seen our These physical characterismarine creature of this issue, tics give them their anacon-
the Moray Eel, which be- da-like appearance. They longs to the are nocturnal, family of Mu- “Despite their men- consume fishraenidae. These
mys-
terious creatures are the snakes the
of
ocean.
There
are
acing and intimidating appearance, these are relatively shy and harmless creatures”
es and crustaceans and like warm
waters;
they are found mainly tropics,
in
the
near
reefs and make
over 200 species, with the rock crevices and small Green Moray Eels (Gym- caves their homes. nothorax funebris) and the Despite their menacing and Spotted Moray Eels (Gym- intimidating appearance nothorax moringa) being and aura, these are rela-
the most visible in the Carib- tively shy and harmless creabean, especially while div- tures. By that I mean they ing in Tobago. thick,
Moray
eels
elongated
won’t attack divers, unless
are provoked or we invade their crea- habitats. So proceed with
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 33
MARINE LIFE EXPLORED // Moray Eels
caution when swimming near any open- up to 30 m in depth, have a gree
ings. If bitten, seek medical attention im- ish appearance. I have encount
mediately since their bites can become of these magnificent creatures, w infected.
They can usually be observed ing in Tobago: in Man-Of –War B
safely from a distance, usually peeking lotteville and the other, a loca
through the opening of their dwellings, and called Tyson, in Pirate’s Bay. Tyson
rarely come out fully. But have no fear as sake is fitting - he is huge! My div threateningly opening and closing of their and I were pleasantly surprised
mouths, revealing their sharp teeth, is a stumbled across his path, for hi harmless movement to aid in respiration.
tion made us curious to see him
The Green Moray Eel which averages This 8-foot giant is known to be
around 2.5 m in length and can be found harmless towards divers. Howeve
Single spotted mo with open mouth e ing from coral caribbean island naire, Dutch A By Debra
34 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
MARINE LIFE EXPLORED // Moray Eels
en-yellow-
tered two
while divay, Char-
al legend
n’s name-
ve buddy when we
is reputaup close. generally
er, on that
oray eel emergreef of d of BoAntilles James
A pair of moray eels search for food among a pile of clay pots in the cargo hold of a sunken ship By Centrill w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 35
MARINE LIFE EXPLORED // Moray Eels dive, when we accidently encoun- in me but it was a good reminder tered him, a staring match erupt- that while moray eels don’t attack ed between us for a full minute, as divers unless provoked, caution is he kept charging towards us, be- needed whenever you encounter fore finally making a threatening them and they are best observed circle around us and disappearing at a comfortable distance between back into his home. Needless to both parties. say, some fear was instilled with-
Spotted moray eel By John Anderson 36 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
MARINE LIFE EXPLORED // Moray Eels
Advertise with us For our Media Kit, email :info@caribbeanreefmag.com
w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 37
www.swayo.com
38 w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m
Follow us
To advertise with us, email :info@caribbeanreefmag.com
CARIBBEAN FOOTPRINTS PUBLISHING CO. LTD. P.O. Box 3393, Maraval Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. 1-868-732-5615 info@caribbeanreefmag.com ht t p: / / www. c a rib b e a n ree fma g . co m