GREEN REEF Coral Reef Research Expedition
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE GREEN REEF RESEARCH TEAM CONTENTS Introduction... What will you be doing... A Typical Day... Extra Activities... Cost... Contact us... BACALAR CHICO NATIONAL PARK AND MARINE RESERVE
CORAL REEF RESEARCH ON BELIZE S GREAT BARRIER REEF THE SECOND LARGEST REEF IN THE WORLD AND WORLD HERITAGE SITE DIVE INTO CORAL REEF RESEARCH The Belize Barrier Reef consists of approximately 370 Miles of reef. This world heritage site includes beautiful palm fringed coastlines, white-sand beaches, pristine coral gardens, hundreds of untouched cayes and luring lagoons. Thousands of plants and animals call the reefs of Belize home including, numerous species of sharks and rays, Antillean manatees, whale sharks, groupers, hard and soft coral species, Morelet s crocodiles, and hundreds of other invertebrate, reptile and amphibian species. The Belize Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which continues from northern Mexico to Guatemala, making it the second largest barrier reef in the world! With 90% of the reef still needing to be researched, you could help discover more about the miles of reef and thousands of species yet to be discovered and studied. As a member of the Green Reef research team you will be trained in all the necessary research techniques both above and below the water. The data that you www.greenreefbelize.org jrobinson@bacalarchico.org collect will be vital in the further work of Green Reef to protect the natural resources of these untouched areas. Whilst on the coral reef research expedition you will be involved in a variety of projects from recording manatee sightings, monitoring coral reef disease, identifying and carrying out surveys of reef and commercial fish species as well as many other important research projects. These could be projects on whale sharks, crocodiles, lobsters, conch, and many more dependent upon the season and availability.
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING? What Research Projects Do We Currently Focus On Working as a member of the research team for Green Reef you will find yourself involved in research projects in some of the most beautiful areas of the world both above and below the water. Not only will you be waking up to the sounds of the remote jungle and the lapping of waves upon an isolated beach, but you will be spending everyday carrying out work to help ensure that this pristine environment stays as it is. In our coral reef research expeditions we encourage the members of the research team to become involved in a variety of different projects. By doing this we feel that each individual will take home with them knowledge, skills and experience in an array of different techniques, methods, and protocols used in the marine biological and conservational field. As a member of the Green Reef research team you will be involved in a vast array of research initiatives, making it easy for you to learn new skills and enhance those that you already have. If you are looking to carry out your own research for your studies talk to us and we also may able to accommodate. Our research projects vary upon the season. A small example of these research projects are listed below Coral Disease Monitoring and Research Coral Restoration Studies and Research Fish Abundance and Population Estimations Shark Research and Behavior Studies Lobster Research and Population Estimations Conch Research and Reproduction Studies Reef Mapping and Identification Turtle Monitoring and Nesting Studies Coral Bleaching and recovery studies And this is only a few...
A TYPICAL DAY AS A MEMBER OF THE GREEN REEF RESEARCH TEAM We are pleased to say that whilst on a Green Reef expedition there is not really such a thing as a typical day. Everyday holds with it new experiences and opportunities of a lifetime. We run very relaxed expeditions here trying to keep in sync with the Belizian lifestyle. Our days tend to run between 9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday giving the weekends off for spare time, or extra activities (there are enough of them!) As always this may alter depending upon what research you are involved in at the time. Accommodation is provided in dormitory style lodging adjacent to the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. The lodging has around the clock running water, electricity and other modern amenities. It is only a short boat ride away from the town of San Pedro. You will be provided with 3 meals per day consisting of typical Caribbean food, rice, fish, meat etc and vegetarians can be catered for. Firstly upon arriving on an expedition you will spend time in small lectures, presentations and field demonstrations to grasp a greater understanding of what is involved in the research and learn more about the methods and techniques used to collect data. Once you have a firm understanding of what is involved in the specific project you are working on you will be diving carrying out research, collecting and logging data, and writing brief reports between your group of your findings. In the evenings time is spent relaxing around the fire, playing games, or for those with the energy the occasional night dive, beach walk or jungle walk.
BELIZE AN ADVENTURE TRAVELERS PLAYGROUND WHAT TO DO FIRST IS THE ONLY PROBLEM YOU LL HAVE WHEN EXPLORING BELIZE! If you like adventure and activities that will give you an adrenaline rush like never before then choosing Belize is the right choice for you. With thousands of acres of untamed rainforest, miles of rivers renowned for white water rafting, hundreds of centoes and underwater caves waiting to be explored, mysterious mountains climbing into the clouds, diving the one and only blue whole, or snorkeling face to face with the biggest fish in the ocean. you ll be sure to find what your looking for. If your looking for a more relaxed way to spend you time, try visiting the numerous mayan ruins some yet to excavated, make your way to many of the isolated waterfalls, and lagoons, take a horseback ride up into the mountains, or simple sit on the beach and bake in the sun. Whilst on an expedition with Green Reef you will definitely find the time to see all of what Belize has to offer. We can even arrange trips for you either once you arrive or before you even get here. Just contact us with what kind of activities interest you and we can send you further details of what is available
COSTS The basic cost of a 1 month expedition is an approximate $1200 this will vary depending on whether or not the individual needs to become PADI dive certified, or wishes to pursue there diving courses to PADI advanced diver or PADI rescue diver. The cost of an approximate $1200 a month includes 3 meals a day and lodging, all research materials and training, (the price of scuba rental is yet to be established), transport to and from work sites, and the expertise of some of the regions leading researchers. Price does not include international flights to Belize, or local flights or boat connections to San Pedro, extra activities outside of the research work. For an up to date price estimate please contact us via email jrobinson@bacalarchico.org with what you wish to include, for example dive certification up to PADI advanced Diver and any activities that you wish to book. Page 7