All posts by ceiblogger

Flats, Outreach, Research Programs, Visiting Scientists

Wrapping up a successful bonefish tagging trip in Andros South

Flats intern Stacey Dorman fishes from the bow of the boat.
Flats intern Stacey Dorman fishes from the bow of the boat.

Interns from the Flats Ecology and Conservation Program and Shark Research and Education Program at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (Stacey Dorman and Carl Treyz) and Zack Jud from the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust finished their four day bonefish tagging trip in South Andros, which was very successful! A total of 654 fish were tagged around South Andros, including the west side and the cays on the southernmost tip of the island. The overall goal was to tag bonefish in areas that are heavily fished by recreational anglers, so that they can be later recaptured, and information about bonefish population movement and growth can be collected.   Continue reading →

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Research Programs, Sharks, Student Research

Update on RA semester project: Ian Bouyoucos

Preliminary data collection and preparation are underway for the yellow stingray immunology study. Following experimental wounding to illicit an immune response, stingrays will be subjected to low-pH conditions, acidified with CO2. However, prior to conducting these trials, it is imperative to understand how yellow stingrays react to low-pH conditions. To do so, 10 stingrays (six males and four females) were observed under increasingly acidic conditions to determine their tolerance for low pH. Water pH was lowered by approximately 0.1 units every minute until stingrays ceased spiracle contraction (i.e., stingrays became too stressed to ventilate). Under our experimental conditions cessation of spiracle contractions occurred at a mean pH of 5.35.

This methodology was adapted from Aaron Shultz’s doctoral research, which is observing how extreme environmental conditions in mangrove creeks affect several fishes. In preparation for the immunological study, however, researchers are learning more about the seasonal (lack of) abundance of yellow stingrays. A first replicate of 20 stingrays should be completed by December.

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Flats, Research Programs, Visiting Scientists

New acoustic tracking study on bonefish in Grand Bahama

bonefishThroughout the islands of The Bahamas, bonefishing is not only popular sport, but also an important component of the tourism industry that contributes greatly to the economic health of many communities. For such a valuable fishery, surprisingly little is known about bonefish movements, particularly when it comes to migrations associated with their reproduction.  A recently implemented joint study in Grand Bahama is designed to help provide that information. Continue reading →

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Aquaponics, Research Programs, Sustainable Systems

Tilapia harvest at CEI

Kitchen ladies filleting tilapia.
Kitchen ladies filleting tilapia.

Last month, CEI conducted its first tilapia harvest since March 2013.  This exciting process began on Sunday morning when 160 tilapia were selected for harvest for an Island School parent’s weekend meal and a fundraising event in Nassau. All of the fish were within the ideal harvest size range and were selected from our current stock of over 3000 fish. They were then placed in a holding tank and were not fed over the next 48 hours to clear their digestive tracts of food and waste, thus lending to a more sterile process.  On Tuesday morning, the process began when the fish were removed from their tank and humanely euthanized by being netted into an ice water slurry.  These fish were then transported to the kitchen and were filleted by a team of researchers and kitchen staff.   Continue reading →

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Outreach, Plastics

Beach Plastic Christmas Ornament Workshop in Tarpum Bay

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ornament 1ballTwo weeks ago, several CEI team members went up to the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center in Tarpum Bay to participate in a beach plastic Christmas ornament workshop, hosted by artist Barbra Devries. The event was a success and inspired everyone to think creatively and view beac hplastic in a different light.

The goal of the workshop was to empower locals to utilize discarded resources found on a beach and use it to develop artwork for a profit. CEI team members were able to participate and create their own plastic Christmas ornaments, and everyone had a great time!

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Lionfish

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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Flats, Outreach, Research Programs, Student Research

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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