The Placencia Breeze
Page 12
November 2018
Fragments of Hope Initiates Exchange with Mexico's Reef Experts versity, USA and Ken Nedimyer, founder "You’ve raised the of Coral Restoraton fohoutreach@gmail.com Foundation and Reef bar on what we are hoping to achieve, Renewal headquarFragments of Hope (FoH) along with tered in Key Largo, but you’ve also over 20 Mexican reef practitioners Florida, USA. given all of us hope and experts visited several of the by now knowing it natural and restored acroporid stands T h e s u c c e s s f u l exchange titled, can be done and across Belize from Sept. 12-17. “Strengthening sciseeing it with our Under the awarded MAR FUND, ence-based reef resown eyes.” visiting experts included Dr. Iliana toration efforts in BeBaums from Pennsylvania State Uni- lize and Mexico with - Ken Nedimyer, founder of Coral versity in the United States of Amer- exchange site visits Foundation and Reef Renewal, on seeica (USA), Dr. Arthur Gleason from including experts,” ing FoH's coral outplanting success at the University of Miami, USA, Dr. brought light to the Laughingbird Caye National Park. Janie Wulff from Florida State Uni- r e s t o r a t i o n w o r k By MONIQUE VERNON Outreach Officer Fragments of Hope (FoH)
FoH has been doing in Belize since 2006 revealing our mapping techniques, growth methodologies, natural and anthropogenic threats. Visitors also engaged in up-close views and in-water discussions of the amazing high densities of natural staghorn and elk-
horn stands, their genetics, as well as the unfortunate dredging activities just offshore of Placencia Point. Dr. J. Wulff, associate professor of biology at Florida State University, sponge expert and active researcher at Carrie Bow Caye Field Station, not to mention the many other sites of sponge biodiversity assessment such as Laughing Bird Caye National Park as impressed with the sightings. "The combination of what we saw underwater and the conversations See REEF RESTORATION EXCHANGE on page 20
Over 300 Lionfish Speared in Second FoH Roundup
With a catch of 136 lionfish, team "Good Vibes" captained by Sean Young placed first.
Team "Relentless" captained by Garrett Longsworth placed second with 161 lionfish.
initiated a second round up that was held on Sept. 7. With a total of three boats and 15 enthusiastic divers, a fohoutreach@gmail.com whopping 343 lionfish eradicated from our waters. (Editor's Note: Just three months after the first News on the third roundup coming lionfish roundup in Placencia, Frag- in our December issue.) ments of Hope again funded and Boat/Teams and lionfish count: Good Vibes/Captain Shaun Young: 136 Relentless/Captain Garrett Longsworth:161 Be Nice Too/Captain Louis Godfrey: 46 By MONIQUE VERNON Outreach Officer Fragments of Hope (FoH)
All filleted lionfish were donated to the primary schools on the Peninsula, and Team "Be Nice Too" captained by Louis Godfrey placed third with a catch of 46.
LIQUOR LICENSE PUBLIC AD NOTICE: Notice is hereby given that Wendy Lemus is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License for the year 2019 to be operated at Wendy’s Creole Restaurant in Placencia Village, Stann Creek District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Act Revised 2000.
clipped fins were sold to Belizean jewelry designer and owner of Treasure Box, Khadija Assales. A big thank you goes out to all participants, especially Harry Neal for organizing and to Hatchet Caye/Wild Orchid for sponsorship of the event. Check out the link to a blog post on this event: epicoceanadventure.
com/blog/2018/9/11/placencia-lionfish-hunt-a-success. Fragments of Hope is happy to facilitate such initiatives and is working towards conservation of marine ecosystems at all angles. Please contact us if you can help towards more positive community activities. ▪
