Marine Life & Conservation
Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao celebrates first year of operation
Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao (CRFC) celebrated their first year of operation by outplanting 360 new corals on Curaçao’s reefs between May 25thand May 27th.
The effort began in May 2015 with 400 coral fragments hanging from 10 coral “trees” located on the house reef of Ocean Encounters Diving and Lions Dive and Beach Resort. These “trees” provide a safe nurturing environment for fragments of Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis).
The first year effort saw the installation of another 10 trees, and with “fragging” activities conducted by CRFC staff, volunteers, local schools and tourists, the nursery grew to contain 1250 corals. The largest year growth for one staghorn fragment was from an initial 5cm to 263cm! With all of this spectacular growth, the corals were ready to be outplanted to restore the reefs of Curaçao.
To help celebrate their first anniversary, CRFC had Coral Restoration Foundation’s Ken Nedimyer (Founder and President) and Denise Nedimyer assisting them with the effort. In total, 360 corals have been transplanted between the Tugboat, Sweet Bottom, and the house reef’s of Lions Dive and Sunscape resorts.
”What an amazing year! It’s a great feeling to give back to our delicate marine environment, and to realize that together, we can make a difference. The health of our nurseries is extraordinary, and I sincerely believe that we will be able to outplant more than 2000 corals in our 2nd year.
“We want to acknowledge our initial sponsors, Lions Dive and Beach Resort and Curacao Airport Holding for their donations to help us through the first year. We also want to welcome Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (MCB) as new sponsor for the next 3 years.” – Pol Bosch, CRFC Project Manager
Support for this project through sponsorship is integral for success and volunteers will be needed for regular nursery maintenance and care. For donations and more information email info@coralrestorationcuracao.org.
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
-
News3 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News3 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Gear Reviews2 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoSave the Manatee Club launches brand new webcams at Silver Springs State Park, Florida
-
News3 months agoWorld’s Best Underwater Photographers Unveil Breathtaking Images at World Shootout 2023