We have come to the end of another month here at Reef Doctor and, as such, the end of another bout of reef surveys. These surveys consist of two batches. The first being indicator surveys. The indicator surveys include an assessment of a list of 20 fish species, 12 invertebrates and an analysis of the benthos of the sites (this being the substrate that makes up the reef system, whether that be coral, algae, rock or anything on the sea bed). These indicator species can give us a good idea of the health of the sites, one of which is a marine protected area (Rose Garden). An abundance of calcareous algae eating fish, for example, can show us that their food stuff is in abundance in that area, or a lack of them would mean the opposite. We are also able to use this data to compare how a marine protected area fares relative to an site that is not protected.
The second batch are known as expert surveys which consist of a longer list of fish, invertebrates and a more detailed assessment of the benthos. We survey six sites with this method compared with the two for indicator surveys. At each site we do six surveys allowing us to gain high quality data that can be compared in both space (the area of the site) and time (how it has changed and been impacted over the time that surveys have been taken).
The surveys were successfully completed though not without the odd complication here and there to ensure things stayed exciting... These consisted of currents nearly impossible to swim against let alone complete six transects, and one of the divers coming down with a rather nasty fever toward the end of the month. Just in time for the new volunteers to arrive and begin to be tutored in how to partake in the following months batch. We welcome two new volunteers in November. Simone, from Austria, and Laura, from Germany, fresh off of a Biology degree. We also welcome two new dive officers, Dom and Torsten, as well as a new science officer in the form of Marina.
This influx of staff cannot come soon enough as we reach a very busy month for the people here at Reef Doctor as not only do we begin doing the November's reef surveys but we also have other projects in the works. Christina, the education officer, is soon to be beginning a survey of the surrounding village with regard to contraception use. The increasing populations in this region is one of the leading factors that is causing a decline the reef ecosystem as the supplies of fish there can no longer meet the demand. It is not uncommon for families here to have a large amount of children. I have met people from Ifaty who are the proud parents of anywhere up to 14 children all of whom possess very odd names such as Camera or Medal... These surveys can show us how regular the use of contraception is and can thus enable us to educate those most in need of it about its use as well as suggesting that maybe two children is enough...
Meanwhile, Emma, the science officer, is about to begin data collection for her project on the fishing of sea turtles in this area and we have a student from America arriving to begin a research project here which will last for the next three weeks. It will certainly be a busy time for Reef Doctor and myself, and as I change from a volunteer to intern, I am sure there will be times over the coming month, when it feels a bit like a trail by fire, but I am raring and eager to go and looking forward to the challenges what ever they may be!
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