Volunteer Research Trips

Saving the Reefs of the Caribbean may be simpler than we thought!

     Recent discoveries made by scientists reveal that the Diadema antillarum is essential to the comeback of coral reefs! Better known as long-spined sea urchins, these prickly critters are the primary consumers of algae that has overgrown the coral reefs. El Nino wiped out most of what was left of the urchin population after a vicious and unidentified disease nearly obliterated them in the 80’s. Their comeback has been hindered and needs our help.

     Aqua Cat, Blackbeard’s and Cat Ppalu Cruises have launched a Diadema Relocation Project that is taking off swiftly! Under the guidance of Bruce Purdy, President of Blackbeard’s Cruises, divers are relocating sea urchins from rubble sites (broken down coral in shallows) to reefs. The sea urchins are voracious consumers of algae. These are the same algae that have robbed the coral of much needed sunlight and nutrients. Coral and Diadema polyps both need to adhere to algae-free surfaces to grow. Test sites have experienced significant reduction in algae. Pillar Wall in the Exumas now has bare areas that were covered with algae just a few months ago. We expect to see more bare areas on other sites in the upcoming year! These bare areas are vital for the coral and urchin polyps to settle.

     Blackbeard’s Cruises and Cat Ppalu Cruises are sponsoring Relocation Events in the upcoming months. Collection is done on snorkel and on Scuba. Plan a trip that gives you pleasure with a purpose. Relocation takes place either that evening or the next morning on scuba. Divers take urchins down to deeper reefs that lack populations of Diadema and strategically place them on the coral heads.

Scheduled Trips on the Cat Ppalu.

     Cat Ppalu departs Nassau and will head to the Exumas for a few weeks of relocation and diving. These relocation trips are specially priced at $1195 per person for single bed occupancy and $995 per person for double bed occupancy. (Normally $1,450 per person, but since you have to work a little, you get a break on the price ;-) She sleeps up to 12 passengers in 6 private cabins. This is an all inclusive price with meals, beverages/bar, diving and lodging covered!

We will be scheduling a Fall, 2009 trip soon.

Scheduled Trips on Blackbeard’s:

     Blackbeard’s’s Cruises departs Freeport, Grand Bahama on Saturday and heads to the Bimini area. We will concentrate our efforts in the Bimini area on this trip. Blackbeard’s sleeps up to 22 passengers in dormitory style cabins. The regular rate is 899.00 per person, but since it is a working cruise, the rate is just 799.00! The all inclusive format applies here too. In addition to Diadema re-location we will also be installing several moorings to protect the reef.

     If any of these dates don't work for you, join our VIP mailing list and get first dibs on future specialty trips! Enjoy the company of other like minded divers on this weeklong trip to the Exumas....an area of the Bahamas worth working for!