Oceans & Islands

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JVD: The Pelagic Super Highway

By Captain Colin, JVD Scuba & Eco-Tours 

Twenty one years ago the BVIJost Van Dyke Scuba Government allowed me to be the first person to discover, explore and chart potential commercial dive sites in the North West British Virgins around Jost Van Dyke and surrounding islands. I mapped out and named 41 sites and opened Jost Van Dyke Scuba & BVI Eco-Tours. Since then we’ve enjoyed diving with many of the most elite underwater photographers in the world who have continued to return to dive the BVI’s “off the beaten path” Northside dive sites we nicknamed “The Pelagic Super Highway”. Jost Van Dyke is located 11 miles from the World Famous Sport fishing area called “The North Drop” where world record Marlin have been caught for over 40 years. This Drop is the beginning of the ‘Puerto Rican Trench’ which, farther out, has the second deepest ocean depth in the world. Many of the big animals who love the deep water, are called in near Jost from the Drop by the billions of bait fish present on the north shore and it’s fishing banks, pinnacles and seamounts that surround the island. 

Diving the North West side of the BVI has never been better. Already remote dive sites have had zero traffic for over a year and the non working fishing boats also added up to big animal marine life never been seen before in the BVI!  Even SCUBA Instructors from other islands are coming to JVD to dive and see this. Dive sites like No Man’s Land, the Blind Side, the Playground, Twin Towers, Rocks and Beans, Mercurious Rock, and the Kingfish Banks, are just a few of the dives that are ‘going off’ like a National Geographic video every single dive! Imagine dropping down and having multiple sharks with you every minute of a dive with no one ever baiting or feeding them? At the same time, Dolphin mother and calfsee numerous giant spotted eagle rays, turtles, porpoises as well as large schools of feeding fish crushing bait balls like rockets. Even Manta Rays swim with you, a sight rarely seen inside the BVI. There is no better time dive here and experience an underwater symphony words cannot describe. The Covid shutdown, however brutal for humans, was a delight in what it’s done for marine life here on the North side and most specifically ‘The Pelagic Super Highway’...  Big Animal Diving in the BVI!

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How Whales Change Climate

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Underwater & Island Ecology

Slow Life from Daniel Stoupin on Vimeo.

One of the many fascinations of exploring tropical waters is to appreciate the beauty and diversity of life on and around the coral reefs. Multicolored corals of great size and shape along with hundreds of species of fish, sponges, invertebrates and anemones act as a backdrop for divers and snorkelers who slip beneath the surface to explore the secrets of the deep. 

As sailors, we possess a heightened awareness of the aquatic environment and therefore we logically assume an ongoing moral obligation to help protect and restore the health of these fragile eco-system for future generations.

CowfishMarine ecosystems are extremely important for the overall health of both marine and terrestrial environments. According to the World Resource Center, coastal habitats alone account for approximately 1/3 of all marine biological productivity and estuarine ecosystems (i.e., salt marshes, seagrasses, mangrove forests) are among the most productive regions on the planet. In addition, other marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, provide food and shelter to the highest levels of marine diversity in the world.

Although human impacts on the Caribbean reef system predate the arrival of European settlers in the 15th. century, it is only since the 1970s that large declines in coral cover across the region have occurred. These declines were due, in part, to outbreaks of disease which impacted much of the branching corals and spiny sea urchins during the late 70s and early 80s. Overfishing and land-based run-off due to human development fundamentally weakened the ability of the reefs to recover from these impacts.

As stewards of the marine environment, we sailors have not always been as “green”as we would like to think of ourselves. We have pumped sewage overboard, operated gas and diesel equipment that pollutes both water and air, used toxic paints to retard marine growth and utilized cleaning products that are not always environmentally friendly. It is time that we all take up the banner of protection, educate ourselves and our crew and do our small part to minimize further impact.

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The Invasion of the Lionfish

 

Lionfish

The Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish - DO NOT TOUCH!

Originally introduced to the Atlantic through aquarium releases in the 1980’s, this invasive species has been documented along the entire US East coast from Florida to New England, east to Bermuda and south throughout the Caribbean. 

They are voracious eaters and can strip a reef of juvenile fish within five weeks and without the fish the reef can choke and die. This graceful fish with lacey fins, handsome stripes has no natural predators in the Atlantic and are aggressive, voracious and prolific.

Lionfish possess venomous spines capable of deterring predators and inflicting mild to severe stings and reactions to humans. If you see one in the water do not touch but report the location to a local dive shop or call the number below.

The Invasive Lionfish

Lionfish Fast Facts

 

  • Lionfish may live decades and reach sizes to 19”
  • Lionfish inhabit all marine habitat types and depths (shoreline to 1000ft).
  • Lionfish become sexually active in less than a year 
  • Lionfish eggs are held together in a gelatinous mass of 12,000 - 15,000 eggs and are dispersed at the ocean’s  surface by currents
  • Native predators exhibit avoidance for Lionfish
  • Lionfish are edible and considered a delicacy

 

First Aid

If stung, flush with fresh water, immerse in hot water and contact a local doctor.

In the BVI call: 284-442-7783

In the USVI call: 340-775-6762


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Sea Turtles

 

Sea turtle on sea grass bed

Sea turtles are one of the Earth’s most ancient creatures. The seven species found today have been around 110 million years, since the time of the dinosaurs. The sea turtle’s shell or “carapace” is streamlined for swimming through the water, but unlike other turtle’s, sea turtle’s cannot retract their legs and head into the shell. Sea turtle’s do not have teeth, but their jaws have modified “beaks” suited to their specific diet.

Sea turtles have long fascinated people and have figured prominently in the mythology and folklore of many cultures. Regrettably, the spiritual significance has not prevented them from being exploited for both food and profit. At one time millions of sea turtle’s roamed the earth’s oceans, but now only a fraction remain.

Seagrass Beds

Seagrass beds are important feeding and breeding habitats for many marine species including sea turtles. Unfortunately, seagrass beds have been on the decline both in the Caribbean and the East Coast of the USA. They also tend to be relatively sensitive indicators of water quality and researchers are studying trends in seagrass abundance to determine the ongoing impact by humans. In addition to pollution, seagrass beds are extremely vulnerable to damage by boat propellers and anchors.

Saving The Coral Reefs

 

Sea Fan Base

Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth. They are second only to tropical rain forests in the number of species they harbor and are sometimes referred to as “the rain forests of the sea”. Reefs support incredible marine biodiversity including a multitude of fish species, lobsters, sea turtles and a multitude of other creatures.

Risk analyses indicate that more than 90% of the world’s reefs will be threatened by climate change and local anthropogenic impacts by the year 2030 under our current climate scenario. Increasing temperatures and solar radiation cause coral bleaching that has resulted in extensive coral mortality. Major storms and hurricanes as well as other long term stressors such as coral disease, over fishing, sediment runoff, nutrient enrichment, contaminants and abrasion of the reef structure by debris, vessel scarring and carless snorkelers and divers place additional stress on these fragile ecosystems which are fighting for their survival.

What can we do to help?

As sailors, we all derive great pleasure from snorkeling and diving on the Caribbean's coral reef system. I return we assume the natural responsibility of stewardship to ensure they will be here and healthy for future generations to enjoy.

5 things you can do to help

 

  1. Reduce our direct impact. Don’t touch corals when diving or snorkeling, make sure your equipment does not drag across the reef, make sure outboards do not come into contact with reef systems and do not anchor in or near coral. Do not collect corals.
  2. Eliminate pollution. Don’t pump marine heads or holding tanks when moored or anchored near coral. Vessels should not discharge in BVI waters within 300 yards of the shoreline. Never discharge oily bilge water or waste and never throw food scraps over the side.
  3. Educate your crew and passengers on the devastating consequences of coral bleaching and ocean acidification and ensure they understand the impact of coral harvesting.
  4. Support reef conservation efforts. Review the resource links below and get involved in a conservation effort.
  5. Act now. 

 

Resources:

REEF An active association of divers and marine enthusiasts committed to conservation www.reef.org

Project Aware  Teaching conservation and responsibility www.projectaware.org

The Association of Reef Keepers  A BVI organization supporting reef monitoring activities www.arkbvi.org

 

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