Researchers and R/V ANGARI conducted field research at various sites throughout The Bahamas, completing hundreds of underwater surveys to examine coral health, fish abundance, and more.
EXPEDITION DETAILS
September 26 – October 12, 2017
The Bahamas
Shelley Cant
Craig Dahlgren
Lindy Knowles
Agnessa Lundy
Mallory Raphael
Sandra Voegeli
Anna Zuke
Researchers from the Bahamas National Trust, B.R.E.E.F., Perry Institute for Marine Science, and The Island School collected data onboard R/V ANGARI from 21 sites in The Bahamas, specifically around Cat Island, Conception Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, and Eleuthera. At each site, a team of 6 divers completed a full set of 350 AGGRA surveys, including 100 coral transects, 120 benthic transects, and 130 fish transects.
A special thanks to the Disney Conservation Fund and The Blue Project for funding this research.
CHIEF SCIENTIST
Dr. Craig Dahlgren, Director of Perry Institute for Marine Science, is a marine ecologist who studies a wide range of topics related to tropical marine ecosystems. His work includes studies of mangrove and coral reef ecosystems, efficacy of marine protected areas, and population dynamics of fishery species ranging from traditional Caribbean fishery species like Nassau grouper and Caribbean spiny lobster to emerging fisheries like sea cucumbers, parrotfish, sponges, and gorgonians. At present, his work focuses on improving management of and expanding the network of marine protected areas, restoring coral reef and mangrove ecosystems, and improving fishery management for traditional and emerging fishery species in The Bahamas and elsewhere.