20 December
10:17
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Coral Gardening - South Pacific - BBC

Local fisheries have largely damaged fragile reef ecosystems, which are important habitats for fish. Fish numbers are falling due to a loss of habitat, affecting the livelihoods of fishermen.

In Fiji, biologists are working with local fishermen to repair the reefs, raising corals in ‘gardens’. The gardeners collect wild specimens that are crowded and break them into smaller live fragments. They then place the fragments onto tables located in areas perfect for coral growth.

Within two years, the corals are ready to be transplanted back into the reef. Some new fragments are taken to restart the process.

#bbc      #coral garden      #reef      #conservation      #science      #corals     
07:30
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Scorpionfish Scorpionfish often have colourations that disguise them as coral rocks. This allows for unsuspecting prey to approach the waiting scorpionfish, which is a poor swimmer. dachalan on Flickr

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish often have colourations that disguise them as coral rocks. This allows for unsuspecting prey to approach the waiting scorpionfish, which is a poor swimmer.

dachalan on Flickr

#scorpionfish      #science      #animals      #fish      #reef      #marine     
18 December
08:01
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Reefscape Tony Shih on Flickr

Reefscape

Tony Shih on Flickr

#reefscape      #coral      #reef      #marine      #ocean     
14 December
09:30
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rhamphotheca:

NY TIMES - Scientist at Work: To Save a Coral Reef Enabler

by LUIZ ROCHA

Rocha, the curator of ichthyology at the California Academy of Sciences, writes from Belize, where he conducts research on one of the world’s most endangered fish.

There’s a lion on the loose, and it’s hunting endangered prey. I’m on my way to Belize to see what I can do about it.

Belize is home to a portion of the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean, the Meso-american Barrier Reef System. Hundreds of species of fish inhabit this diverse coral reef system, many of them unique to the region. This week I will conduct field work there, joining forces with a team from the Smithsonian Institution led by fish curator Carole Baldwin.

Our team will look specifically at the population status and habitat conditions of the social wrasse, Halichoeres socialis, ut why pick this one species from the hundreds to be found there? The social wrasse is currently listed as “critically endangered”…

(read more: NY Times)            (photos: Luiz Rocha)

#reef      #conservation     
13 October
07:14
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Purple Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka) Nick Hobgood on Flickr

Purple Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka)

Nick Hobgood on Flickr

#anthias      #fish      #purple anthias      #coral      #reef      #animals     
10 October
08:59
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rhamphotheca: Tracking Oceanic Fishes Scientists have long been able to tag animals on land and follow their movements and habits. But tagging and tracking fish, like this spinecheek anemonefish, through vast oceans is a Herculean task. Tagging fish larvae less than an inch in length had proved almost impossible. Biologist Simon Thorrold, director of the Ocean Life Institute, is among an international team using TRansgenerational Isotope Labeling (TRAIL) and DNA fingerprinting to determine how fish populations disperse and connect to one another in the reefs of Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. Such information is essential for identifying critical marine habitats that should be set aside to protect fish populations that are coming under increasing pressure from fishing and habitat destruction. (Visit Website)           (Image: Simon Thorrold, WHOI)

rhamphotheca:

Tracking Oceanic Fishes

Scientists have long been able to tag animals on land and follow their movements and habits. But tagging and tracking fish, like this spinecheek anemonefish, through vast oceans is a Herculean task. Tagging fish larvae less than an inch in length had proved almost impossible.

Biologist Simon Thorrold, director of the Ocean Life Institute, is among an international team using TRansgenerational Isotope Labeling (TRAIL) and DNA fingerprinting to determine how fish populations disperse and connect to one another in the reefs of Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. Such information is essential for identifying critical marine habitats that should be set aside to protect fish populations that are coming under increasing pressure from fishing and habitat destruction.

(Visit Website)           (Image: Simon Thorrold, WHOI)

#spinecheek anemone fish      #fish      #marine      #reef     
22 August
04:39
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our-lips-locked: Red Sea Reef Life by Steveilad on Flickr.

our-lips-locked:

Red Sea Reef Life by Steveilad on Flickr.

#bannerfish      #butterflyfish      #marine      #reef      #coral