Recently in Daily Dilemma Category

Here at Shedd Aquarium, we have created a new family together. We are a very unique group that has been able to unite our ideas and form similar beliefs. Our basic question is, when HSMB 2008 has ended, will we be able to stay strong with our beliefs, opinions, and actions as individuals?

In a large group, it seems easy to simply be a follower, but as HSMB comes to a close, we must realize that we need to become our own leaders and make efforts to gain and inform new followers. For example, at HSMB we were able to comprehend how much waste we were producing everyday by weighing our trash. Now that we are going back to our individual lives, we need to be responsible enough to stay aware of our garbage production. We must not fall back into our old habits. Throughout this program, our instructors, as leaders, have successfully transformed us into leaders ourselves.

Now we need to complete the cycle and take in new followers to teach them to be leaders as well. Half the battle in leading is getting out of your comfort zone. We need to make an effort to stay informed and start informing the public as well. Even if our opinions are not heard, it is still important to try because along the way, someone will listen. If we continue this cycle on and on, this can be our first major breakthrough on making a huge difference in this complicated world.

At the start of day three, we got the opportunity to go snorkeling in the mangroves. Despite the rainy weather, we all had a great time observing the plants and animals in this unique habitat. We learned that mangroves provide an important home for many species of animals - particularly juvenile fish, sharks and invertebrates. During our first snorkel at La Chance Rocks we observed an ongoing construction project in an area north of Alice Town called Bimini Bay. Our instructors told us that the project in progressing quickly and they have added many news homes, a sea wall, a beach and a harbor just since the project began. The next phase of the project is scheduled to include lots more new homes and an 18-hole golf course that could put a lot of the mangroves, including the area where we snorkeled, in jeopardy.

When we visited the Bimini Biological Station (Shark Lab) we learned about how the destruction of this vital habitat may have a negative impact not only on the species living in Bimini, but the Caribbean at large. We discussed this matter with a few Biminites at the straw market in Alicetown. Many of them related to us that they have lost business to the new shops at Bimini Bay and have noticed that the dredging for the new harbors have already had an impact on the islands reefs, as well as conch and lobster populations that are so important for the islands economy.

Can you think of ways that the natural resources of Bimini can be preserved, while providing jobs and economic growth for the people of Bimini?

While we were in shallow water performing a grassy bottom beach seine a stingray swam around us. It returned several times circling our group. We were told by our instructors that stingrays are fed at this location and that it was looking to be fed. Many people and tour outfits feed wild animals like rays and sharks to bring people closer to these animals. By feeding these animals they begin to associate humans with food. This association brings humans and wildlife in more frequent contact which poses hazards to both wildlife and humans.

What are some ways that we can educate people about the importance of not feeding wild animals?

Australian Pines are invasive plants that are originally from Australia and were brought to the Bahamas to help protect homes against storms. Because the Australian Pine has shallow roots and will blow over in winds in excess of 60 mph, they proved ineffective against storms. However, they are effective at seed dispersal. The Australian Pines seed can remain dormant for up to a year allowing it to travel great distances by bird and ocean. This has allowed the Australian Pine to populate all the islands we've visited.

Their leaves are rolled up tightly giving them the appearance of pine needles, but this tree is not a pine tree it is a deciduous tree like an oak or maple tree. Their pine needles both create canopy cover that blocks light from passing and fall to the ground smothering surrounding plants which prevents native, deep rooted species from growing. The Australian Pine has become a serious problem for Bimini and the rest of the Bahamas due to the fact that it's eliminating all of the native vegetation.

Here are some ways to get rid of this invasive species. Mass burnings of the pines would eliminate this invasive species because native plant seeds are fire resistant while the Australian Pines seeds are not. Also the process of girdling, a deep cut that goes along the diameter of the tree, will kill individual trees targeting specifically the Australian Pine. Do you have any other suggestions on how to eliminate this invasive species?

Lionfish are amazing and very poisinous fish. They are a non native species to the eastern hemisphere,originally from Aisa. The Lionfish are always in a competition with the native fish. The big problem with the Lionfish in the Bahamas is that there are too many. The reason for this is because they have no natural preditors,therefore they can reproduce a lot without being disturbed.

What can be done to keep the Lionfish population from growing?

In Bimini, there is a large problem of overfishing Conchs; more specifically, the Queen Conch. The Queen Conch is known to be a fine delicase of the Bahamas. With the rise of tourism, the rate of Conchs that are being killed and eaten are increasing exponentially. These gastropods were once very plentiful throughout the Bamahas but now are much harder to find.

This morning's HSMB article discussion brought up a valuable lesson that continually comes up in life: there is never just one side of a story. This article touched upon the idea of conservation of marine environments. It spoke of many scientists' concerns with the disappearance of many of the world's beautiful coral reefs, especially in areas with new tourist development. Many organizations, such as Nature Conservancy, have taken action to protect these reefs, but with these actions came the jealousy of many native people in the area.

Shark-fin soup is a delicacy in many Asian countries; however with declining populations and high-yield catches, the shark population being fished for this delicacy has dwindled to very low numbers. However, with shark-fin soup being a delicacy in high demand, many native fisherman make a living off of catching sharks for the fins, and the soup is part of many ceremonies in several Asian cultures.

Over the last three decades hard coral cover on the reefs in the Caribbean has been disappearing at an alarming rate. In that time period surveys have shown the coral populations have dropped by around 40 percent. One new harmful cause that has grabbed researchers attention is the excessive use of sunscreen by tourists.

Hi everyone!

It is now day three of our Bahamas adventure. So far, we have had perfect weather. On day three, however, the water was a little choppier than usual. We finished our first Beach Seine where we found a lot of fish without any wave or weather problems. Our mangrove snorkel was also a blast. We saw SO much.. We were heading to our next destination, an old sunken barge in the middle of a *Randall's Ring, when the waves started to get a little choppier. The waves were too choppy to swim in without holding onto a line from the boat, but they were not bad enough to bother anybody on the ship. It was a short snorkel, but one that everybody enjoyed.

If there is another small storm that produces choppy waves again, we may or may not be able to snorkel in certain locations. In the spirit of the storm, our daily dilemma is the following:

Next time, what do you think we should do if there is an oncoming storm (ex- continue snorkeling, wait it out, etc.)? What should we do to be more prepared next time? Finally, if the weather does make us miss a good snorkeling location, should we revisit it?

*Randall's Ring: This is a large circle of sand, usually with a sunken structure in the middle of it. It is outlined in grass.

How are different fish species adapted to the environment where they live?

During our morning discussion there was a little bit of talk about the kinds of different species that live in different depths of the ocean and different habitats. Some organisms survive better with sunlight, such as corals, who require warm water and sunlight. Other species live hundreds of feet below the water's surface were it is cooler and darker such as angler fish and gulper eels. How are these animals adapted to such unique environments?

How vulnerable the fish is to predators has a lot to do with where it lives. Some factors might include, shallow water, areas with low fish populations, colorful reefs or open, spacious pelagic zones. Depending on the temperature of the area in the water, the amount of sunlight, and the motion of the tides, different fish will be able to survive in a different environment. Portray the behaviors and physical qualities of a fish that lives in shallow water, in warm water with many corals and shady rocks. How might a fish living here differ from a fish living in a deeper area, with a sandy bottom, but still a warm temperature and less or no corals and rocks? Give your input on this Daily Dilemma!

Claire

Every piece of plastic that has ever been created is still on this planet and always will be. Plastic is increasingly affecting the environment and is one of the most prevalent issues facing our oceans today. In the Pacific, circular currents have even accumulated huge floating masses of plastic and other wastes. These masses can stretch for miles; one called the "Plastic Continent" is approximately the size of Texas and protrudes 30 feet below the surface. All over the world, fish, sharks, marine mammals, birds and sea turtles are entangled by debris, lost traps, fishing line, and nets. Other times these animals mistake floating debris for food. Regardless of how animals encounter these pieces of plastic or waste, the results are never favorable.