CEI Researchers attend the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Conference

CEI’s Dr Jocelyn Curtis-Quick and Skylar Millar attended the 66th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute conference in Corpus Christi Texas last week.

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Jocelyn presenting her research.
Jocelyn presenting her research.

Jocelyn presented the research that her team and Island School class have been working on over the last two semesters – investigating the interactions between the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus, and the invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans.  This work is of great importance as the potential displacement of lobster in condos could have large negative socioeconomic and ecological consequences for The Bahamas, and the greater Caribbean.  Jocelyn also attended a special workshop that brought together scientists, restaurant affiliates and members from various commercial sectors to talk about getting lionfish in the market place.  Lots of great ideas and discussion took place! Continue reading

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Intern Bio: Kylie Bloodsworth

381Kylie grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She received in a Bachelor’s of Arts in French Language Studies and a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. More recently, she earned a Master’s of Science degree in Marine Science from the University of New England in Maine. Her research examined how river plume dynamics influence larval transport and more specifically the distribution of crab and mussel larvae. Beyond educational institutions, Kylie has gained experience working for State agencies such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, interning at aquariums, and teaching science and math in K-12 public schools and college-level courses in the Caribbean.  In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in marine resource management and is particularly interested in science communication, K-12 education and outreach, and conducting applicable research. Continue reading

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Outreach at local Wemyss Bight Primary School

Sixth grade students listen to a presentation on lionfish.
Sixth grade students listen to a presentation on lionfish.

Tiffany Gray, the Lead Outdoor Educator at CEI and Franchesca Bethell, a lionfish intern at CEI and a former BESS Island School alumni, recently had the opportunity to teach the awesome sixth grade class at Wemyss Bight Primary School about lionfish awareness. The students first followed along with the lionfish presentation which gave them insight into the invasive species in the western region of the world. They listened attentively and weren’t afraid to ask LOTS of questions during the presentation! Continue reading

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Call for abstracts- Mangroves Symposium in Mexico

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Mazatlan, Mexico
April 7 – 12, 2014

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS NOW OPEN!

For online abstract submission and registration information, go to:www.wdmeeting2014.wordpress.com/abstracts/

For general information on the symposium, go to: www.fishconserve.org

For information on becoming a sponsor, e-mail Sponsorship Contact

Questions? E-mail us at info@fishconserve.org

This symposium is being held in conjunction with the
Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the
American Fisheries Society

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Bonefish Tagging in Andros South

Freshly tagged bonefish being released.
Freshly tagged bonefish being released.

Bonefish tagging has been taking place on a large scale in the south of Andros this week. Zack Jud from the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and Stacey Dorman and Carl Treyz from the Cape Eleuthera Institute with the support of Andros South aim to tag, measure and release as many bonefish as possible within a four day period. This tagging study is part of a Bahamian wide project that is investigating the movements and growth rates of bonefish.  In addition, clients and guides from Andros South (i.e., Deneki Outdoors) and fishing lodges throughout the country will contribute to this study by re-capturing tagged bonefish in the future..

Before lunch time on the first day, Stacey and Carl had helped tag over 200 bonefish, with the total reaching around 600 by the end of the second day. The largest bonefish caught to date is just over 24 inches or 610 millimeters. Between netting bonefish, dodging storms, sighting turtles and dolphins and kicking back at the fishing lodge, Stacey and Carl are having a great time exploring the ecosystems on Andros.   By the end of this research excursion we hope to tag over 1,000 bonefish, stay tuned!

Zack Jud (BTT) showing Deneki guide Sparkles how to tag a bonefish.
Zack Jud (BTT) showing Deneki guide Sparkles how to tag a bonefish.
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Update on recent visiting programs!

Fall is off to a fantastic start in Educational Programs!  CEI jumped back into the academic year with two amazing weeks of programming. Along for the ride were our students from Round Square, a collaborative group of 17 young adults from Canada and Massachusetts, followed by Palm Beach Day Academy of Florida.

The Round Square group dropping the Medusa
The Round Square group dropping the Medusa

Round Square ambassadors spent time on Eleuthera before heading to the annual Round Square conference.  Students focused on their “IDEALS of learning: Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service” while at CEI, and investigated the concept of what it means to live and travel well.  Round Square students had the once in a lifetime opportunity of launching the Medusa with the Shark Research team, along with dissecting a lionfish, conducting shuttle box experiments, and surveying the local beaches for marine debris.

Round Square group playing with kids at the resource center.
Round Square group playing with kids at the resource center.

To emphasize the international element of the program, CEI organized and launched a Round Square-DCMS Plastics Seminar! The day began by pairing each Round Square student with a DCMS student, and quickly launched into round table discussions on plastics pollution and its impact on environment and our bodies.  All DCMS and the Round Square students were insightful and reflective on plastics in daily life, and each left with recycled plastic jewelry to remind them to keep continue thinking about plastic’s role in our world. Continue reading

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