In July, Isla Mar took part in coordinating and implementing a new citizen science project in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve in Rincon. We partnered with the non-profit Amigos de Tres Palmas( funded by Sea Grant Puerto Rico) to help design the scientific survey to collect information on coral health, fish assemblages and benthic organism diversity. With HJR Reefscaping, we tackled the logistics of organizing volunteer divers to participate in field sampling. The surveys involved more than just a biological component, we also looked at the boundary buoy moorings to validate they are marking the right coordinates and to determine if any required replacement or repair. Lastly, we also surveyed adjacent to the reserve boundaries to get an estimate of coral reef species diversity that is currently not protected.
In July, Isla Mar took part in coordinating and implementing a new citizen science project in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve in Rincon. We partnered with the non-profit Amigos de Tres Palmas( funded by Sea Grant Puerto Rico) to help design the scientific survey to collect information on coral health, fish assemblages and benthic organism diversity. With HJR Reefscaping, we tackled the logistics of organizing volunteer divers to participate in field sampling. The surveys involved more than just a biological component, we also looked at the boundary buoy moorings to validate they are marking the right coordinates and to determine if any required replacement or repair. Lastly, we also surveyed adjacent to the reserve boundaries to get an estimate of coral reef species diversity that is currently not protected.
Tr es Pa l ma s Ci t i z en Sci ence Pr oj ect
Left: Nick Hammerman conducting survey Top Right: Roughhead blenny, Acanthem blem ar ia asper a Top Lower: Recovering Elkhorn coral, Acr opor a palm ata