Researchers onboard R/V ANGARI traveled to the Bahamas to conduct Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessments (AGRRA) at several dive sites throughout the Abacos and Northwest Bahamas, including some new survey sites that have never been explored before. The team completed 22 dives and conducted hundreds of surveys of the benthic community, corals and reef fish.
EXPEDITION DETAILS
June 26 – July 4, 2019
The Bahamas
Craig Dahlgren
Lindy Knowles
Jillian Lessing
Helena Milazzo
Krista Sherman
Katie Storr
Sandy Voegeli
Researchers from the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS), Bahamas National Trust and San Salvador Living Jewels Foundation set out onboard R/V ANGARI to conduct Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Surveys for South Abaco and East Grand Bahama. Scientists on board included Dr. Craig Dahlgren, Executive Director of Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS); Dr. Krista Sherman, Senior Scientist at PIMS; Lindy Knowles, Senior Science Officer at Bahamas National Trust; Sandy Voegeli, Scientist of San Salvador Living Jewels Foundation; Jillian Lessing, PIMS intern and Middlebury College student; Helena Milazzo, Middlebury College student; and Katie Storr, travel photographer at Katie Storr Underwater.
Assessments of reefs such as these are contributing to knowledge of coral reef health around the Bahamas, which helps inform important conservation efforts and policy decisions to help coral reefs recover.
Thank you to the Devereaux Ocean Foundation, Atlantis Blue Project Foundation and Disney Conservation Fund for major funding to support the understanding and protection of coral reefs. Also, thank you to Bahamas National Trust and San Salvador Living Jewels Foundation for your commitment to this series of AGRRA surveys.
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.
“Data collected from recently marine protected areas such as the Lucaya National Park, East Grand Bahama, and Cross Harbour Abaco will be used to assess how coral reefs and species that live on reefs are doing in those areas compared to unprotected reefs. Because the Perry Institute and its partners in the Reef Rescue Network are working to restore corals to several sites surveyed, we can also assess how these efforts are helping coral populations to recover, building healthier coral reef ecosystems” – Dr. Craig Dahlgren, Executive Director of Perry Institute for Marine Science.