Marine Life & Conservation
Of grazers, browsers, scrapers and a miracle plant called Vetiver
Guest article by Greet Meulepas who lives in Mauritius…
About 25% of reef fishes are herbivores, grazing on algae that would otherwise smother the corals.
In ‘Reef Fish Behavior’, a wonderful book written by Ned Deloach and Paul Humann, published in1999 the writers state “If left ungrazed, the competitively superior algae would quickly smother existing corals and blanket reef rock, leaving nowhere for coral larvae to settle and establish new colonies.” They also state that due to “continued overfishing and nutrient-rich run-off from coastal development and agriculture algae continue to dominate the reefs in many areas”. These facts were known 22 years ago and still hold today. Yet these days it is easy to blame climate change as the sole culprit for the disappearance of the reefs. Truth is that reefs are even more susceptible to temperature rises because they are already stressed due to overfishing and pollution.
Reef fishes need the reefs for shelter and food, but the reef needs reef fishes in order to survive too. Without the fishes the delicate balance of the reef ecosystem is lost. Certain fish species in particular are crucial for reef survival. Parrotfishes should be “legally protected from fisheries, strictly enforcing fishing restrictions and educating the public on the ecological importance and economic benefits of wild parrotfish”, according to a 2014 IUCN report. Parrotfishes are known as scrapers. Their beaks are powerful tools to scrape fast-growing turf algae from the corals. Doing so they scrape clean and even bite off pieces of coral and in this way provide clean substrate for coral planulae to settle.
Grazers like surgeonfishes are herbivores that keep the growth of turf algae in check by grazing the reef substrate. Grazers limit the growth of macro algae, that would otherwise outcompete the corals for space and light on the reef.
Macro-algae are also known to limit the potential for coral planulae to settle on to the reef. Not only are they prevented to grow by grazers, they are also eaten by browsers should they have survived the grazers.
So without browsers, grazers and scrapers the reef would fast be overtaken by algae as we see happening in many areas surrounding Mauritius and elsewhere in the world.
Luckily, the solution is known. It is two-fold and easy enough to implement.
First of all, like the IUCN suggests, there needs to come a ban on fishing parrotfish and other crucial herbivorous reef fish species. Those who oppose this should think about the fact that without a reef there won’t be any reef fishes anyway. So either act now or pay the terrible price in the near future.
Protection of reef fishes can be done by specific bans to fish certain species or by protecting entire regions by implementing no-take zones and thus protect the entire reef ecosystem of that area.
This solution will not have the desired effect in a timely manner if we do not add to it the second part of the plan: tackle pollution caused by nutrient-rich run-off from coastal development and agriculture. Obviously the logical thing to do is to stop using these polluting chemicals. In addition, Nature offers us a beautiful extra solution, if we only dare to open our eyes to see the beauty in its simplicity: the miracle plant called Vetiver.
This plant, a grass closely related to lemongrass, is so beneficial in many ways that it has been called the miracle plant. Its uses are known for more than 4 decades yet this knowledge has never spread beyond a receptive few.
For if people knew and really saw what Vetiver could mean, all coastal areas all around the world would have surely been planted full with vetiver by now. I can only imagine that the simplicity of the plan turns people sceptic.
Here it is: Vetiver has meters long roots that purify water by trapping and absorbing toxicities, while at the same time the plant stabilises the soil and is thus an excellent weapon against erosion. On top of that Vetiver increases soil fertility and can be used in wetland restoration, agricultural improvement, erosion and sediment control, agrochemical pollution and climate change mitigation. Vetiver has been successfully used to rehabilitate coral reefs in Vanuatu, the Philippines and Guam, will be used to help save the Great Barrier Reef and I am hoping we can add Mauritius to that list in the near future.
So, dear reader, I invite you to submerge yourself in the wonderful world of Vetiver and plant this wonder in your garden, plantation, farm, hotel gardens, surrounding golf courses…. and help the beautiful coral reefs to survive!
Find out more at: www.vetiver.org
The Reef-World Foundation, DiveAssure, and ZuBlu are launching a new collaboration to champion marine conservation while promoting sustainable diving practices. The symbiotic partnerships aim to increase awareness and implementation of environmental standards in the marine tourism industry through the Green Fins initiative, spearheaded by Reef-World in partnership with the UN Environment Programme.
Businesses have a unique opportunity to create a long-lasting impact through partnerships with conservation organisations. These partnerships show how tourism can go hand in hand with sustainability when businesses join forces with conservation organisations. By working together, these organisations and companies demonstrate their dedication towards sustainability and open doors to endless opportunities for growth and success in the tourism industry that benefit the people and the planet.
As the number of divers continues to grow and make a comeback post-pandemic, studies have shown that there’s a strong demand for sustainability education from dive tourists. This resulted in the partnership between Reef-World, DiveAssure and ZuBlu to promote sustainable diving practices through one of Green Fins tools, the Green Fins Diver e-Course. The course is designed for recreational divers to build on their existing scuba diving knowledge and provide them with the skills and confidence to conduct environmentally friendly diving trips. This, in return, empowers them to use their consumer power to demand more sustainable practices.
Chloe Harvey, Executive Director at The Reef-World Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to be taking this step with these two wonderful companies. This is a truly symbiotic partnership, one that furthers the business priorities of DiveAssure and ZuBlu, as well as delivering on our conservation objectives. Reef-World has a long history of working with sustainability leaders in the diving industry, and with their support, we look forward to diving into a future where sustainability is at the heart of every dive adventure.”
What the partnerships entail for divers who have completed the Green Fins Diver e-Course:
- Get 20% off worldwide diving accident and dive-travel insurance from DiveAssure.
- Get 5% off scuba diving holidays booked with ZuBlu, a dive travel agency which has over 800 carefully chosen resort and liveaboard partners across 100 dive destinations worldwide.
- Reef-World to provide 10% off on Green Fins Diver e-Course for all DiveAssure and ZuBlu customers and members.
Besides offering a discount on their diving accident and travel plans, DiveAssure proudly supports top Green Fins Members across the globe with grants to fulfil their sustainability and conservation goals. Founded in 1999, DiveAssure has a goal of not only providing scuba divers with everything they might need in terms of safety and medical assistance, they are also committed to sustainability and the protection of our ocean. They champion responsible diving, endorse marine conservation, and continuously strive to minimise environmental footprints. Every quarter, DiveAssure evaluates initiatives proposed by Green Fins members — be it beach or reef cleanups, coral propagation, or setting up marine life nurseries. Dive centres keen to collaborate on such impactful endeavours are encouraged to reach out to info@greenfins.net for further details.
Tal Tamir, Business Development & Community Chief at DiveAssure, said: “We are thrilled about our new partnership with The Reef-World Foundation. We believe that sustainable diving is a key factor in preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our ocean. And that through education, we can raise awareness and drive positive change. The Green Fins courses empower divers and operators with knowledge about marine conservation, sustainable diving practices and the importance of protecting the ocean and its ecosystems — knowledge we encourage all our members to have. Green Fins Members are welcome to apply for funding for their blue-green initiatives, which are considered quarterly. Let’s do good together!”
With the “Explore the blue. Dive green.” tagline, ZuBlu celebrates sustainable businesses and encourages divers to be more environmentally conscious while on their adventures to contribute to a healthier ocean. Reef-World has proudly collaborated with ZuBlu since 2018, and this new partnership model represents a transformation in the impact they can have together. Their mission centres around improving the way travellers engage with the ocean. They believe every dive starts at home, and every decision made in planning a holiday can make a difference to the marine environment. With access to information on the sustainable practices implemented by their featured resort and liveaboard partners, they can ensure their customers find sustainable operators to book their ocean adventures with.
Adam Broadbent, co-founder and CEO at ZuBlu, said: “We are delighted to be deepening our collaboration with The Reef-World Foundation to further encourage more conscious divers. At ZuBlu, we want to empower our guests to be a force for good on their scuba diving adventures. And we are delighted to be rewarding Green Fins Divers with a 5% discount to acknowledge their commitment to the ocean.”
Join the movement to protect our ocean by taking the Green Fins Diver e-Course and receiving all the rewards that come from the partnerships.
About Reef-World
The Reef-World Foundation is a registered UK charity which delivers practical solutions for marine conservation around the world. The charity promotes the wise use of natural resources – particularly coral reefs and related ecosystems – for the benefit of local communities, visitors and future generations. It is dedicated to supporting, inspiring and empowering governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world to act in conserving and sustainably developing coastal resources.
Reef-World leads the global implementation of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative, which focuses on driving environmentally friendly scuba diving and snorkelling practices across the industry globally. As such, the charity provides low-cost and practical solutions to local and industry-wide environmental challenges associated with the marine tourism industry. It provides education and capacity-building assistance to empower environmental champions (within the diving industry, local communities, authorities and governments) to implement proven coastal resource management approaches.
Visit www.reef-world.org to learn more, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Green Fins
Green Fins is a proven conservation management approach – spearheaded by The Reef-World Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme – which leads to a measurable reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with the marine tourism industry. The initiative aims to protect and conserve coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines that promote a sustainable diving and snorkelling tourism industry. It provides the only internationally recognised environmental standards for the diving and snorkelling industry and has a robust assessment system to measure compliance.
Green Fins encourages and empowers members of the diving industry to act to reduce the pressures on coral reefs by offering dive and snorkel companies practical, low-cost alternatives to harmful practices – such as anchoring, fish feeding and chemical pollution – as well as providing strategic training, support and resources. By reducing the local direct and indirect pressures tourism puts on coral reefs, it helps make corals healthier and more resilient to other stresses such as the effects of climate change. Look for the Green Fins logo when booking your next dive trip.
Visit www.greenfins.net to learn more or follow the initiative on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About DiveAssure
DiveAssure goes beyond being just another member association. DiveAssure is your steadfast companion and passport to extraordinary underwater adventures. Their membership provides medical, rescue and evacuation services in case divers and travellers have an accident, become injured, sick or if their safety is threatened.
Whatever the emergency, wherever you are, DiveAssure has your back. So you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the deep, knowing their comprehensive benefits, global network, and unwavering commitment to your safety will ensure that every dive is an unforgettable and secure experience. Learn more at www.diveassure.com.
About ZuBlu
ZuBlu is the world’s leading dive travel agency for scuba diving and ocean experiences, with more than 800 partners in over 100 dive destinations around the world. Secure online booking, expert travel advisors and flexible booking terms mean you can discover, compare and book scuba diving holidays with ease. Discover and book your next diving adventure at www.zubludiving.com now.
This week has seen the announcement of the designation of Seahorse National Park at Hatchet Bay Cave and Sweetings Pond on Eleuthera. This monumental announcement comes after years of efforts from the BNT and its partners in advocating for the protection of Sweetings Pond and its surrounding areas as an official national park under the BNT’s management.
Sweetings Pond is a large, land-locked saltwater pond in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. It has many unique natural features, but the most notable of them all is its incredible seahorse population, which is believed to be the densest population of seahorses in the world. The new 548-acre national park protects the entire one-mile-long pond and the surrounding terrestrial area. The land surrounding Sweetings Pond is a blend of intact coppice, mangroves, and farmlands. In addition, the new national park includes the extensive Hatchet Bay Caves system. This historic cave system is a popular attraction and contains a number of impressive geological features. It is one of the longest dry cave systems in The Bahamas.
Since 2014, the BNT has been leading efforts to have the area declared as a national park. This included years of public outreach and stakeholder consultations in communities across Eleuthera; education presentations in local schools; science and research efforts; and engaging consecutive government administrations. In 2018, the BNT submitted the “20 by 20 Marine Protection Plan” to the government, which included the recommendation to declare Sweetings Pond and other areas in The Bahamas as protected areas.
During the lease signing ceremony for Seahorse National Park, Minister Clay Sweeting, said, “This lease agreement for Sweetings Pond has been a long time coming. It represents a milestone in our journey towards sustainable development. It symbolises our collective responsibility to safeguard our natural heritage and create a harmonious relationship between economic progress and environmental preservation.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all stakeholders in this process of drafting and finalising this lease agreement. Their dedication, expertise, and commitment has been crucial in ensuring that this agreement falls in line with our vision of creating a thriving ecosystem while promoting responsible usage. Let us continue to preserve the jewel that is Sweetings Pond for many generations to come.”
The BNT invites the public to stay tuned for more news about its plan for the country’s newest national park: Seahorse National Park at Hatchet Bay Cave and Sweetings Pond!
To learn more about the role the BNT plays in managing terrestrial and marine national parks, conserving wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs
Follow/subscribe to its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Banner Image: A lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus), female, clining to algae in an alkaline pond in The Bahamas by Shane Gross
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