Our recent trip to the aquarium, our GIN team not only bonded and shared laughs,
but we learned many things about the different marine ecosystems on our island.
Although the aquarium is relatively small, it is beautiful, located in a building
overlooking the ocean, and full of different types of fish and tons of information,
such as:
Specific habitats are required for fish to transition between periods of their life.
Mangroves are extremely important as they help filter water and need to be saved
before irreversible damage is done. 40% of the coast of the D.R. is cliffs that are
becoming damaged from pollution and contamination from the cities. Grass on the
bottom of the ocean is very important as is protects fish from big waves and fishing
in the grass and using it as a waste deposit is causing lots of damage. The Dominican
Republic also has parts of it where salt and fresh water meet, providing lots of
healthy minerals.
Although the information about the ecosystems was very detailed, some of the
information about the fish posed some questions. There was a very detailed
paragraph about eels and how they are safe for humans, but didn’t talk about the
dangers they pose to fish, or if they do. They mention that there are 15 species
of scorpions in the Caribbean, but did not talk about if they are plentiful or
endangered.
Altogether, our trip was wonderful, and we even learned more about the efforts
around the island to eat the parrotfish. They are giving posters and stickers to
fisherman around the island and are even working with UNESCO. We talked about
raising money to help the aquarium and even the possibility of having a lionfish to
display at our school.
Article By: Maggie Baird
To spread awareness about our cause, last Friday two of our Sea Savers, María Jose Fernandez and María Laura Leon, stole fifteen minutes from the monthly Executive Staff meeting at Banco León. They were gratefully asked to put forward a presentation at their lunch meeting, which served our infamous lionfish, in order to inform the busy execs about the exotic predatory species. In their presentation, besides updating the group about the origin of the fish and the uprising market being created for them in the Dominican Republic, the girls enlightened them as to where they could purchase or consume the fish.
Sharkie and Spike have been living in their tank by themselves for a while now, but not anymore! Ruben Torres contacted Maria Jose and donated two new lionfish to our school. One of the lionfish has transfered to Sharkie and Spike's tank in the high school guidance office, and another has found its new home in Mrs. Gamache's 5th grade classroom. Their names have no yet been decided, but hopefully they will continue to educate the people of CMS about our cause in helping to eradicate their growing populations. Would this be considered ironic because they seem to be invading our school as well? Maybe! But in the end, these measures have been taken in order to spread the knowledge further and more thoroughly.
If you are searching to experience an amazing journey while
snorkeling, the beaches of the Dominican Republic are definitely the place to
be. Our coastline is filled with coral reefs, the home of some of the most beautiful
and exotic creatures. There are many locations where snorkeling is a
possibility, however the beaches of Punta Cana might not be as fulfilling as
those of Sosua town beach which facilitates the experience and contains the
better segment of the coral reefs. Many tours are available at these locations.
These coral reefs contain many species of fish such as the blue tang, observed
in 82.8% of the reefs, the four-eye butterfly fish observed in 74.9%, and the
ocean surgeonfish seen in 76.2%. Different species of corals, sea anemone, and
marine life can also be at sight. However old you are, snorkeling in the
Dominican Republic is very rewarding, this is why we must try and protect this
tropical location that contains so much value.
