News
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming: baby clownfish travel hundreds of miles to find the ideal home
Although they will spend almost their entire lives living with their host, new research has found that baby clownfish, before settling down, will travel for hundreds of miles across open ocean in search of the ideal home.
Soon after hatching from their eggs, the tiny fish will leave in search of an anemone they will call their own, gradually becoming immune to the anemone’s toxic sting that can kill other kinds of fish as they take up residence.
An international team of researchers reports they found some tiny baby clownfish travelling as far as 250 miles from one reef population to another.
“This is an epic journey for these tiny week-old fish,” says marine biologist Steve Simpson from the University of Exeter in England. “When they arrive at the reef, they are less than a centimetre long, and only a few days old, so to travel hundreds of kilometers they must be riding ocean currents to assist their migration.”
The researchers tracked baby clownfish moving across the Gulf of Oman, a branch of the Persian Gulf off the Arabian Peninsula.
“There are only two coral reef systems along this coast, and they are separated by 400 km (248 miles) of surf beaches,” Simpson says. “In order to persist as a single species, we know Omani clownfish fish must occasionally migrate between these two populations.”
Marine conservationists are concerned about the future of the clownfish, as the coral reefs that are home to both the fish and their anemone hosts become increasingly fragile as a result of the warming and acidification of the World’s oceans.
There is also concern that that the number of orange clownfish taken for the aquarium trade – a number that rose dramatically following the success of the ‘Finding Nemo’ movie – is putting pressure on populations of the colourful fish.
Source: www.techtimes.com
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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