Bermuda BREAM

PROTECTED SPECIES AMENDMENT ACT 2011 - updated 17th January 2012

2012-02-02T15:05:00.001-04:00

BERMUDA

PROTECTED SPECIES AMENDMENT ACT 2011 COMMENCEMENT DAY

NOTICE 2012

BR 6/ 2012

The Minister responsible for conservation services, in exercise of the power conferred by section 9 of the Protected Species Amendment Act 2011, gives the following Notice:

Citation

1 This Notice may be cited as the Protected Species Amendment Act 2011 Commencement Day Notice 2012.

Commencement

2 The Protected Species Amendment Act 2011 shall come into operation on 20 January 2012.

Made this 17th day of January 2012

Minister of Public Works

BERMUDA

PROTECTED SPECIES ORDER 2012

BR 7/ 2012

The Minister responsible for conservation services, in exercise of the power conferred by sections 5 and 5A of the Protected Species Act 2003, makes the following Order:

Citation

1 This Order may be cited as the Protected Species Order 2012.

Protected species

2 The species of plants and animals set out in the Schedule to this Order are classified as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable in accordance with the criteria set out in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) and are declared to be protected species.

Level of protection

3 The species of plants and animals set out in the Schedule to this Order are classified as level 1, level 2 or level 3 in accordance with the criteria set out in section 5A of, and the Schedule to, the Protected Species Act 2003.

Revocation

4 The Protected Species Order 2007 and the Protected Species Notice of Intention 2011 are revoked.

SCHEDULE

(paragraph 2 and 3)

LEVEL 1

Birds

Bermuda Petrel or Cahow (Pterodroma cahow) (E) EN (D)

White-tailed Tropic Bird (Phaethon lepturus catesbyi) (N) VU (D1 + 2)

White-eyed Vireo or Chick-of-the-Village (Vireo griseus

bermudianus) (E) VU (D1 + 2)

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (N) VU

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) (N) VU

Cave Amphipods

Idunella sketi (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Cocoharpinia iliffei (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Pseudoniphargus grandimanus (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Bermudagidiella bermudensis (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Ingolfiella longipes (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Cave Copepods

Antriscopia prehensilis (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Erebonectes nesioticus (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Paracyclopia naessi (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Speleophria bivexilla (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Speleophriopsis scottodicarloi (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Nanocopia minuta (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Speleoithona bermudensis (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Cave Isopods

Atlantasellus cavernicolus (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Currassanthura bermudensis (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Arubolana aruboides (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Cave Mysids

Platyops sterreri (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Cave Ostracods

Spelaeoecia bermudensis (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Cave Mictaceans

Mictocaris halope (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Segmented Worms

Phallodriloides macmasterae (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Cave Shrimps

Typhlatya iliffei (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Procaris chacei (E) CR (B1 + 2C)

Barbouria cubensis (N) CR (B1 + 2C)

Parhippolyte sterreri (N) CR (B1 + 2C)

Ferns

Governor Laffan’s Fern (Diplazium laffanianum) (E) CR (D)

Bermuda Shield Fern (Goniopteris bermudiana) (E) CR (B2)

Bermuda Cave Fern (Ctenitis sloanei) (N) CR (B1)

Long Spleenwort (Asplenium heterochroum) (N) EN (C2a)

Toothed Spleenwort (Asplenium dentatum) (N) EN (B1a, b)

Ten-day or Leatherleaf Fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) (N) CR (D)

Finfish

Longsnout Seahorse (Hippocampus reidi) (N) VU (D)

Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) (N) VU (A4c, d)

Gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) (N) VU (A1b, d + 2d)

Tiger Grouper (Mycteroperca tigris) (N) EN (A1d)

Mutton Hamlet (Alphestes afer) (N) CR (A1d)

Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) (N) EN (A2a, d)

Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus) (N) VU (A1d + 2d, B1 + 2e)

Freshwater Molluscs

Ancylus bermudensis (E) CR (D)

Pisidium volutabundum (E) CR (D)

Land Crabs

Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus) (N) VU

Giant Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) (N) VU

Marine Mammals

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) (N) VU

Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) (N) VU (A1d)

Marine Molluscs

Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) (N) EN (B2a, biii)

Moss

Bermuda Campylopus (Campylopus bermudianus) (E) CR (C)

Rays and Skates

Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari) (N) VU (A2d)

Reptiles

Bermuda Skink (Eumeces longirostris) (E) CR (B1, B2b, c, d, e)

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) (N) EN (A1b, d)

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) (N) CR (A1b, d)

Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) (N) EN (A1a, b, d)

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) (N) CR (A1a, b, d)

Sharks

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) (N) VU (A1b, d + 2d)

Terrestrial Snail

Poecilozonites circumfirmatus (E) CR (A2, B2a)

LEVEL 2

Finfish

Bermuda Killifish (Fundulus bermudae) (E) EN

Killifish (Fundulus relictus) (E) EN

American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) (N) VU

European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) (N) CR (A2bd + 4bd)

Flowering Plants

Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) (N) VU

Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans) (N) VU

Yellow Wood Tree (Zanthoxylum flavum) (N) CR

Marine Molluscs

Bermuda Sand Scallop (Euvola ziczac) (N) EN

Calico Scallop (Argopecten gibbus) (N) EN

Marine Plants

Turtle Grass (Thalassia testudinum) (N) VU

Manatee Grass (Syringodium filiforme) (N) VU

Shoal Grass (Halodule sp.) (N) VU

Shoal Grass (Halodule bermudensis) (E) CR

Paddle Grass (Halophila decipiens) (N) VU

Reptiles

Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) (N) VU

LEVEL 3

Flowering Plants

Bermuda Sedge (Carex bermudiana) (E) CR

Wild Bermuda Pepper (Peperomia septentrionalis) (E) CR

Wild Bermuda Bean (Phaseolus lignosus) (E) CR

Darrell’s Fleabane (Erigeron darrelliannus) (E) VU

Bermuda Bedstraw (Galium bermudense) (N) EN

St. Andrew’s Cross (Hypericum hypericoides) (N) CR

Bermuda Snowberry (Chiococca alba) (N) VU

Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus bermudiana) (E) VU

Bermuda Palmetto (Sabal bermudana) (E) VU

Bermuda Olivewood (Cassine laneana) (E) VU

Abbreviations:

CR= Critically Endangered

EN= Endangered

VU= Vulnerable

(E)= Endemic, only found in Bermuda

(N)= Native, indigenous to Bermuda and other places

Made this 17th day of January 2012

Minister of Public Works

happy holidays!

2011-12-23T11:54:00.000-04:00

Bermuda's deeper forereef dominated by corals

2011-12-09T14:26:00.000-04:00

BREAM is working up the data from the 24 deep reef video surveys we carried out last year using the RV Endurance and the drop-camera system we designed and built with funding provided by the UK Overseas Territories Environmental Programme. Preliminary results, and photographs such as the one above, indicate that coral cover is high, diseases are rare and the 150-sq km habitat between 30-40m depth remains in good ecological health.

Zebra Slug (Hypselodoris zebra)

2011-11-17T14:57:00.000-04:00

Bermuda Environmental Charter

2011-10-20T12:55:00.001-03:00

The Environmental Charter of Bermuda is a commitment between the United Kingdom and the Government of Bermuda to recognize the critical importance of a healthy environment to the welfare and future survival of Bermudians.

The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Conservation Forum posts the Environmental Charter for all overseas territories on it's website: http://www.ukotcf.org/pdf/charters/bermuda.pdf

The text of the Bermuda Environmental Charter is below:

ENVIRONMENT CHARTER FOR BERMUDA

Guiding principles

For the UK government, for the government of Bermuda∗ and for the people of Bermuda.

1.) To recognise that all people need a healthy environment for their well-being and livelihoods and that all can help to conserve and sustain it.
2.) To use out natural resources wisely, being fair to present and future generations.
3.) To identify environmental opportunities, costs and risks in all policies and strategies.
4.) To seek expert advice and consult openly with interested parties on decisions affecting the environment.
5.) To aim for solutions which benefit both the environment and development.
6.) To contribute towards the protection and improvement of the global environment
7.) To safeguard and restore native species, habitats and landscape features, and control or eradicate invasive species.
8.) To encourage activities and technologies that benefit the environment.
9.) To control pollution, with the polluter paying for the prevention or remedies
10.) To study and celebrate our environmental heritage as a treasure to share with our children.
Commitments

The government of the UK will:

1) help build capacity to support and implement integrated environmental management which is consistent with Bermuda's own plans for sustainable development.

2) assist Bermuda in reviewing and updating environmental legislation.

3) facilitate the extension of the UK's ratification of Multilateral Environmental Agreements of benefit to Bermuda and which Bermuda has the capacity to implement.

4) keep Bermuda informed regarding new developments in relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements and invite Bermuda to participate where appropriate in the UK's delegation to international environmental negotiations and conferences.

5) help Bermuda to ensure it has the legislation, institutional capacity and mechanisms it needs to meet international obligations.

6) promote better co-operation and the sharing of experiences and expertise between Bermuda, other Overseas Territories and small island states and communities which face similar environmental problems.

7) use UK, regional and local expertise to give advice and improve knowledge of technical and scientific issues. This includes regular consultation with interested non-governmental organisations and networks.

8) use the existing Environmental Fund for Overseas Territories, and promote access to other sources of public funding, for projects of lasting benefit to Bermuda's environment.

9) Help Bermuda identify further funding partners for environmental projects, such as donors, the private sector or non-government organisations.

10) Recognise the diversity of the challenges facing the Overseas Territories in very different socio-economic and geographical situations.

11) Abide by the principles set out in the Rio declaration on environmental and development (See Annex 2) and the work towards meeting International Development Targets on the environment (See Annex 3).

The government of Bermuda will:

1) bring together government departments, representatives of local industry and commerce, environmental champions and other community representatives in a forum to formulate a detailed strategy for action. (See Annex 1).

2) ensure the protection and restoration of key habitats, species and landscape features through legislation and appropriate management structures and mechanisms, including a protected areas policy, and attempt the control and eradication of invasive species.

3) ensure that the environmental considerations are integrated within social and economic planning processes; promote sustainable patterns of production and consumption within the territory.

4) undertake environmental impact assessments before approving major projects and while developing our growth management strategy.

5) commit to open and consultative decision-making on developments and plans which may affect the environment; ensure that environmental impact assessments include consultation with stakeholders.

6) implement effectively obligations under the Multilateral Environmental Agreements already extended to Bermuda and work towards the extension of other relevant agreements.

7) review the range, quality and availability of baseline data for natural resources and biodiversity.

8) ensure that legislation and policies reflect the principle that the polluter should pay for prevention or
remedies; establish effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

9) encourage teaching within schools to promote the value of our local environment (natural and built) and to explain its role within the region and global environment.

10) promote publications that spread awareness of the special features of the environment in Bermuda; promote within the territory the guiding principles set out above.

11) abide by the principles set out in the Rio declaration on environment and development and work towards meeting International Development Targets on the environment.

THE RIO DECLARATION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (1992)

Preamble

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
Having met at Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992,
Reaffirming the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, adopted at Stockholm on 16 June 1972, and seeking to build upon it,
With the goal of establishing a new and equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of co-operation among States, key sectors of society and people,
Working towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environment and developmental system,
Recognizing the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth, our home,
Proclaims that:

Principle 1
Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

Principle 2
States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Principle 3
The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Principle 4
In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Principle 5
All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the world.

Principle 6
The special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special priority. International actions in the field of the environment and development should also address the interests and needs of all countries.

Principle 7
States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem. In view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities. The developed countries acknowledge the responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of sustainable development in view of the pressures their societies place on the global environment and of the technologies and financial resources they command.

Principle 8
To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.

Principle 9
States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation, diffusion and transfer of technologies, including new and innovative technologies.

Principle 10
Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to
information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.

Principle 11
States shall enact effective environmental legislation. Environmental standards, management objectives and priorities should reflect the environmental and developmental context to which they apply. Standards applied by some countries may be inappropriate and of unwarranted economic and social cost to other countries, in particular developing countries.

Principle 12
States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to economic growth and sustainable development in all countries, to better address the problems of environmental degradation. Trade policy measures for environmental purposes should not constitute and means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. Unilateral actions to deal with environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be avoided. Environmental measures addressing transboundary or global environmental problems should, as far as possible, be based on an international consensus.

Principle 13
States shall develop national law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and other environmental damage. States shall also cooperate in an expeditious and more determined manner to develop further international law regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 14
States should effectively cooperate to discourage or prevent the relocation and transfer to other States of any activities and substances that cause severe environmental degradation or are found to be harmful to human health.

Principle 15
In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Principle 16
National authorities should endeavour to promote the internalisation of environmental costs and the use of economic instruments, taking into account the approach that the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the public interest and without distorting international trade and investment.

Principle 17
Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority.

Principle 18
States shall immediately notify other States of any natural disasters or other emergencies that are likely to produce sudden harmful effects on the environment of those States. Every effort shall be made by the international community to help States so afflicted.

Principle 19
States shall provide prior and timely notification and relevant information to potentially affected States on activities that may have a significant adverse transboundary environmental effect and shall consult with those States at an early stage and in good faith.

Principle 20
Women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.

Principle 21
The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to forge a global partnership in order to achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.

Principle 22
Indigenous people and their communities, and other local communities, have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development.

Principle 23
The environment and natural resources of people under oppression, domination and occupation shall be protected.

Principle 24
Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. States shall therefore respect international law providing protection for the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its further development, as necessary.

Principle 25
Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible.

Principle 26
States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully and by appropriate means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Principle 27
States and people shall cooperate in good faith and in a spirit of partnership for the fulfilment of the principles embodies in this Declaration and in the further development of international law in the field of sustainable development.

****

Annex 3

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TARGET ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The International Development Targets have been agreed by the entire United Nations membership, following a series of summit meetings held by the UN and its specialised agencies over the last ten years or so. The meetings discussed progress in poverty reduction and sustainable development and set targets for measuring that progress.
The target for the environment is as follows:
There should be a current national strategy for sustainable development in the process of implementation, in every country by 2005, so as to ensue that current trends in the loss of environmental resources are effectively reversed at both global and national levels by 2015.

A comprehensive map of all BREAM survey sites

2011-10-05T16:29:00.003-03:00

Points indicate reef and seagrass locations surveyed for benthic biota and fish populations by BREAM since 2004

After we mapped the coral reefs and other benthic habitats to a Geographic Information System (GIS) we went out and surveyed the coral reefs, seagrass beds etc to determine their condition, the abundance of the various animals and plants that lived there, whether there were disturbances such as disease and other general measures of ecological health. For a full list of parameters surveyed see the post below.

The map shows the location of each survey site we have assessed. Each site usually took 2-4 hrs to survey, with a team of 3 to 6 divers. All of the data collected was brought back to our office at BAMZ and processed and put into what is now a massive database.

We use this information to develop spatial models of the distribution of important animals such as groupers and brain corals. Also many of the areas we surveyed had never been surveyed before, so the data we collected will act as the "baseline" upon which future surveys can be compared. This will tell us whether the reefs or seagrass have gotten healthier or less healthy through time.

These surveys will also prove useful in indicating what will be lost if the cruise ship channels are re-dredged or widened. That said video surveys need to be done before dredging occurs if we are to really have an accurate measure of coral reef status before and after the impact occurs. AGRRA surveys allow us to get a comprehensive view of many key health indicators, but video surveys are more accurate. The trade-off is video surveys only can assess a smaller range of parameters,

A list of all the data we collect when we survey a coral reef

2011-10-03T13:38:00.000-03:00

Coral Species assessed

Agaricia fragilis

Diploria strigosa

Diploria labyrinthiformis

Favia fragum

Porites astreoides

Porites porites

Montastraea frankesi

Montastraea faveolata

Montastraea cavernosa

Isophyllia sinuosa

Stephanocoenia intercepta

Dichocoenia stokesi

Millepora alcicornis

Madracis auretenra

Madracis decactis

Scolymia cubensis

Siderastrea radians

Oculina varicosa

Meandrina meandrites

Fishes assessed

Angelfish / French

Angelfish / Gray

Angelfish / Queen

Angelfish / Rock Beauty

Bermuda Species / Barred Hamlet

Bermuda Species / Beaugregory/Cocoa Damselfish

Bermuda Species / Blue Angelfish

Bermuda Species / Bluehead Wrasse

Bermuda Species / Chub

Bermuda Species / Clown Wrasse

Bermuda Species / Diadema

Bermuda Species / Gray Triggerfish

Bermuda Species / Lionfish

Bermuda Species / Puddingwife

Bermuda Species / Saucereye Porgy

Bermuda Species / Scrawled Filefish

Bermuda Species / Seargent Major

Bermuda Species / Sharpnose Puffer

Bermuda Species / Slippery Dick

Bermuda Species / Threespot Damselfish

Bermuda Species / Townsend Angelfish

Bermuda Species / Trumpetfish

Bermuda Species / Whitespotted Filefish

Bermuda Species / Yellowhead Wrasse

Bermuda Species / Yellowtail Parrotfish

Butterflyfish / Banded

Butterflyfish / Foureye

Butterflyfish / LongSnout

Butterflyfish / Reef

Butterflyfish / Spotfin

Grunt / Bluestriped

Grunt / Caesar

Grunt / French

Grunt / Porkfish

Grunt / Sailors Choice

Grunt / Smallmouth

Grunt / Spanish

Grunt / Tomtate

Grunt / White

Leatherjacket / Black Durgon

Leatherjacket / Orangespotted Filefish

Leatherjacket / Queen Triggerfish

Other / Almaco Jack

Other / Ballonfish

Other / Bandtail Puffer

Other / Bar Jack

Other / Bicolor Damselfish

Other / Blue Chromis

Other / Blue Runner

Other / Creolefish

Other / Creole Wrasse

Other / Glass Goby

Other / Great Barracuda

Other / Hairy Blenny

Other / Hogfish

Other / Jolthead Porgy

Other / Porcupinefish

Other / Painted Wrasse

Other / Sand Diver

Other / Saucereye Porgy

Other / Scrawled Cowfish

Other / Sharksucker

Other / Slender Filefish

Other / Smooth Trunkfish

Other / Spottail Pinfish - Bream

Other / Spanish Hogfish

Other / Spotted Goatfish

Other / Squirrelfish spp.

Other / Trumpetfish

Other / Yellow Goatfish

Other / Yellowtail Damselfish

Other / Yellowtail Parrotfish

Parrotfish / Blue

Parrotfish / Greenblotch

Parrotfish / Midnight

Parrotfish / Princess

Parrotfish / Queen

Parrotfish / Rainbow

Parrotfish / Redband

Parrotfish / Redtail

Parrotfish / Stoplight

Parrotfish / Striped

Seabass / Black

Seabass / Coney

Seabass / Graysby

Seabass / Nassau

Seabass / Red Hind

Seabass / Rock Hind

Seabass / Tiger

Seabass / Yellowfin

Seabass / Yellowmouth

Snapper / Cubera

Snapper / Gray

Snapper / Lane

Snapper / Mahogany

Snapper / Mutton

Snapper / Schoolmaster

Snapper / Yellowtail

Surgeonfish / Blue Tang

Surgeonfish / Doctorfish

Surgeonfish / Ocean Surgeonfish

Benthic Parameters

Coral abundance

Coral species presence/absence

Coral species density

Coral diversity and evenness

Coral cover overall,

Coral cover by species,

Coral cover by coral functional group

Cover by benthic group

Size/frequency distribution for all coral species

Total mortality

Partial mortality

Diseases (Black Band, Yellowband, White Plague)

Bleaching

Parrotfish bites on corals

Damselfish Territories on corals

Coral Recruitment

Reef Rugosity

Algae thickness

Substate type

Other benthic biota

Macroalgae

CCA

Calg Alg

Sponges and Gorgo etc

Diadema

Hermit crab abundance

Herbivorous Snail abundance

Fishes

Fish abundance

Species richness

Species diversity

Species evenness

Functional groups and guilds

Size-frequency

Critical habitat – juveniles vs adults

The Official BREAM theme song!

2011-07-05T14:51:00.000-03:00

The "Not the Um Um" Players - belting out the BREAM song... apparently written in honour of the Friends of Fish and their efforts that get fishpots banned in Bermuda back in the 1990s.

New BREAM posters

2011-03-25T14:52:00.000-03:00

Previous BREAM news articles in the Royal Gazette re-linked

2011-03-15T13:27:00.000-03:00

Below are restored links to BREAM news articles in the Royal Gazette from 2000 to 2009 that were lost when the newspaper changed their website.

Bermuda's reef healthy despite global warming

coral reefs to continue thriving while others have succumbed to the effects of global warming and El Nino.
DATE: May 22, 2000

Giving the ocean a medical

A new project launched by the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo will help pinpoint the healthiest areas of the ocean that surround the Island. Today is World Oceans Day and along with the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping (BREAM)...
DATE: June 08, 2004

Bermuda could be a 'Noah's Ark' for reefs

Bermuda's coral reefs are in such good shape compared to the Caribbean that they could be used as a "Noah's Ark" to re-populate destroyed reefs elsewhere. That was the positive news from Dr. Thad Murdoch of Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), who is...
DATE: July 01, 2008

Coral reefs are Bermuda's 'crown jewels'

The Island's coral reefs are its "crown jewels" and should be protected at all costs, say two leading scientists. Dr. John Ogden and Dr. William Precht have spent the past few days diving Bermuda's reefs to report on their health at a global summit,...
DATE: July 04, 2008

The coral that lies beneath the waves

A TEAM of scientists was on the island this week in the lead-in to a prestigious conference discussing coral reefs around the world. Hosted by the Bermuda Zoological Society, the group spent much of its time diving on various reef sites. Their...
DATE: July 04, 2008 |

The importance of taking a vast 'snapshot' of Island's coral reefs

Scientists have produced an aquatic road map of our underwater realm, which will not only help divers and marine users but assist in the protection of our coral reefs for future generations. The Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and...
DATE: August 18, 2008

Island featured on Google Earth site

People around the globe can now dive into the beauty of Bermuda's aquamarine waters from their laptop. The Island's marine treasures are featured in the latest version of Google Earth, launched yesterday on the World Wide Web. Bermuda is one of 11...
DATE: February 03, 2009

Scientists moving coral away from King's Wharf

Coral is being moved from a 100-year-old wreck to a new home to prevent damage by cruise ships. A team is removing the coral on the wreck of a tug that was used to build the King's Wharf, in Dockyard, and which is next to the new cruise ship pier.

DATE: March 20, 2009

The Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping Programme

2011-03-01T17:32:00.000-04:00

Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping Programme

Chief Scientist: Dr. Thaddeus J. T. Murdoch, Ph.D.

The B.R.E.A.M. programme was started in 2002 with the mandate to collect the scientific information needed to better enable the management and conservation of Bermuda’s marine organisms and habitats. The programme amalgamated many of the marine components of the Bermuda Biodiversity Project, which was started in 1996 by Dr. Wolfgang Sterrer, Curator of the Natural History Museum, and managed by Dr. Annie Glasspool. Since 2002 some of the major accomplishments of the members of the B.R.E.A.M. programme include:

Mapping all coral reefs across the Bermuda Platform to a depth of 50 m
Baseline surveys of fish and benthic community structure at 55 seagrass meadows and within over 200 coral reef sites from inshore to 30-m depth
Producing a comprehensive biodiversity database accessible locally via the BNHM and globally through the REEF organization. www.reef.org and AGRRA www.agrra.org
Documenting the history and extent of a massive seagrass die-off event in the lagoon, in which over 400 ha of seagrass was lost
Training over 30 undergraduate and graduate interns from Bermuda and the world
Successfully acquiring research funding from major funding sources in the United States of America and the United Kingdom
Presenting over 20 local and international lectures and posters
Invited to host a week-long field trip to 10 visiting scientists, as part of the 11^th International Coral Reef Symposium in 2008
Produced research reports and publications and a book chapter documenting the marine ecology of Bermuda.

Scientist fears for the world’s coral reefs | Bermuda NEWS

2011-01-14T15:02:00.001-04:00

Scientist fears for the world’s coral reefs | Bermuda NEWS07

RG: Bermuda's efforts to protect sea feature in Time magazine

2010-09-24T11:18:00.000-03:00

By Jonathan Bell - The Royal Gazette - link

Bermuda's pivotal role in efforts to declare the Sargasso Sea a marine protected area (MPA) will appear in Time magazine, Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney yesterday revealed.
The Island is said to feature prominently in an article by Bryan Walsh the writer also profiled the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences in the online version of Time following his visit earlier this month.
The MPA initiative was first mentioned during February's Budget by Deputy Premier Paula Cox. Mr. Blakeney said it had been deliberately kept "relatively quiet" until yesterday.
"This is an ambitious project, and we didn't want to announce it with fanfare only to stumble at the first hurdle," he said, adding there was now the momentum, support and partners to make it happen.
The MPA project would create one of the largest protected areas of ocean on the planet, the Minister added. No further details were given.
"As Bermuda is the only land mass within the Sargasso Sea, our local scientific and environmental community, in partnership with the foreign Commonwealth Office, Bermuda Government and overseas organisations, set about making this MPA a reality."
He continued: "We simply couldn't ask for better publicity ... potentially tens of millions of people around the world will this week read about Bermuda and the environmental research for which we are becoming world leaders."
Premier Ewart Brown was also in attendance, and said: "When an international publication of the calibre and reputation of Time takes interest in our Island and positive work coming from the Ministry of the Environment, it is good news for Bermuda.
"With the coming threat of dramatic global environmental change, it is clear that the nations of the world must unite to protect vulnerable ecosystems. With so few of the world's oceans being protected, this is an important cause, and one with which Bermuda is proud to be associated."
Bermuda's team of scientific contributors includes Fred Ming, Philippe Rouja, Sheila McKenna and Tammy Trott.
Asked for details of when the MPA might be formally declared, Dr. Ming said that sensitive negotiations were ongoing with the UK Government, and that it was "far too early in the process to offer a prediction".
"We are breaking new ground," he added. "I am already convinced the journey will be almost as amazing as the prize itself."

Report from a Mission Blue hope spot: The Sargasso Sea

2010-09-03T19:45:00.000-03:00

Report from a Mission Blue hope spot: The Sargasso Sea

BERMUDA FISHERIES REGULATIONS 2010

2010-08-28T12:52:00.002-03:00

BERMUDA

FISHERIES REGULATIONS 2010

BR 55/2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Citation

2 Interpretation

3 Issue of licences by the Director and Chairperson

4 Application for fishing vessel licence

5 Issue of fishing vessel licence

6 Fixed fishing gear

7 Register of licensed fishing vessels

8 Identification marks

9 Transfer of interest

10 Production of fishing vessel licence

11 Catch and effort returns

12 Register of fishermen

13 Designation as full-time fisherman

14 Use of fishing nets

15 General restrictions on taking fish

16 General restrictions on taking lobster

17 General restrictions on landing fish

18 Sale of fish taken from the EEZ

19 Sale of imported fish

20 Protected fish

21 Closed season for spiny lobsters

22 Spearfishing

23 Grant of licence to use fishing lines rigged with more than 15 hooks

24 Duty to return fish which may not be taken

25 Using fixed fishing gear

26 Use of explosives, poison, dredge or trawl

27 Prohibition against introducing live or unfrozen and uncooked fish into waters of Bermuda

28 Interfering with fishing gear without consent of owner

29 Punishment of offenders and forfeiture; suspension or revocation of licence

30 Appeals to Minister

31 Inspection and enforcement

32 Revocation

SCHEDULE

The Minister responsible for Environmental Protection, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 13 of the Fisheries Act 1972, makes the following Regulations:

Citation

1 These Regulations may be cited as the Fisheries Regulations 2010.

Interpretation

2 (1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“Act” means the Fisheries Act 1972;

“Bermudian status” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under section 4 of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956;

“Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Council;

“Council” means the Commercial Fisheries Council established under section 3A of the Act;

“Department” means the Department of Environmental Protection;

“Director” means the Director of the Department of Environmental Protection;

“fisherman” means any person who engages in fishing for reward or who disposes of his catch for financial gain, and includes the operator and crew of a charter fishing vessel but does not include a person engaged in fishing from a foreign fishing vessel;

“fishing net” has the meaning assigned to that expression in paragraph (2);

“fishing vessel licence” means a licence to use a fishing vessel issued under regulation 5;

“fish pot” includes every kind of trap for taking or holding fish;

“fixed fishing gear” means any fish pot, trap, weir, snare or other type of stationary gear that is used for taking fish;

“foreign” in relation to a fishing vessel has the meaning assigned to it by section 7(3) of the Act;

“full-time fisherman” means a person designated as such by the Chairperson under regulation 13;

“holding” in relation to live fish, means storing or retaining;

“lobster” means any crustacea of the family Palinuridae, including spiny, guinea chick or star lobster, or of the family Scyllaridae, including locust or sand lobster;

“owner” in relation to a fishing vessel includes a part owner and any person who has possession of a fishing vessel by virtue of a hire purchase agreement or a demise charter party;

“permanent resident” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under section 23 of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956;

“prescribed” in relation to any fee means prescribed by regulations made under the Government Fees Act 1965 ;

“registered fisherman” means a person registered under regulation 12 as a registered fisherman;

“sell” includes offer or expose for sale;

“shellfish” means crustacea and mollusca;

“use” means use for the purpose of taking fish.

(2) “Fishing net” means any form of net for taking or holding fish, namely a bait net, gill net, cast net, seine and trawl which, for the purposes of these Regulations, are defined as follows—

(a) “bait net” means any surrounding fishing net—

(i) the length of which does not exceed 150 feet; and

(ii) the depth of which does not exceed 18 feet; and

(iii) of which the distance between the knots or intersection of any mesh is not less than one-eighth of an inch nor more than one-half of an inch when measured diagonally at full stretch;

(b) “cast net” means any circular fishing net which may be deployed by being thrown from the hands, and of which the distance between the knots or intersections of any mesh is not less than one-eighth of an inch (3.2mm) or greater than one-half of an inch (12.7 mm) when measured diagonally at full stretch;

(c) “gill net” means any fishing net designed or used for entangling fish, and includes bottom and floating entangling gill nets and all nets constructed of monofilament twine, except a cast net;

(d) “seine” means any net, other than a bait net, used for hauling fish by surrounding the fish;

(e) “trawl” means any net used for catching fish by dragging with one or more vessels.

Issue of licences by the Director and Chairperson

3 (1) The Director and the Chairperson shall be the authorities responsible for the issue of all licences under these Regulations.

(2) Where the Chairperson is the authority to issue a licence, he shall do so on the advice of the Director.

(3) The Director shall before issuing a licence or before advising the Chairperson under paragraph (2) have regard to—

(a) the economic condition and safety of the local fishing industry;

(b) the condition of the marine environment of Bermuda, including but not limited to, the condition of the existing fish populations;

(d) the promotion, development, improvement or protection of fisheries and the fishing industry in Bermuda.

(4) Nothing in these Regulations shall require the Director to issue any licence or advise the Chairperson to issue any licence if he is of the opinion that the issue of such licence would not be in the interest of the promotion, development, improvement or protection of fisheries and the fishing industry in Bermuda.

Application for fishing vessel licence

4 (1) An application for a fishing vessel licence shall be made by the owner of the fishing vessel, to the Chairperson, setting out the name and address of the owner of the vessel and of each fisherman operating from such vessel and shall be in such form as the Director may determine.

(2) An application under paragraph (1) shall only be made during such period in any year as may be specified by the Director by notice published in the Gazette.

Issue of fishing vessel licence

5 (1) Upon receipt of an application for a fishing vessel licence and the prescribed fee, the Chairperson may issue a fishing vessel licence, valid for one year, ending in March, to the owner of the fishing vessel.

(2) The Director may impose such conditions as he may think fit, on a licence to be issued by the Chairperson under paragraph (1), for the better regulation of the fishing industry and the safety of fishing vessels.

(3) A person shall not be qualified to be issued with a fishing vessel licence under this regulation unless he has Bermudian status, he is a spouse of a person with Bermudian status or he is a permanent resident.

(4) When the Chairperson issues a fishing vessel licence under paragraph (1), he shall also issue to the owner, a coloured decal in such form as the Director may determine, indicating that the fishing vessel is licensed for the current year.

(5) When the fishing vessel is in use, the owner or the person in charge of the vessel shall exhibit the coloured decal referred to in paragraph (4) on the fishing vessel in respect of which it was issued, in such manner and in such position as the Director may direct, by notice published in the Gazette.

(6) An owner or a person in charge of a vessel who fails to comply with paragraph (5) commits an offence.

(7) Any person, other than a registered fisherman, who uses or allows a person to use a licensed fishing vessel in the exclusive economic zone, commits an offence.

Fixed fishing gear

6 (1) Notwithstanding any provision in these Regulations, it shall be lawful for a person to have in his possession or to use a fixed fishing gear if that person is authorised by a licence issued by the Director or the Chairperson, to have in his possession or to use such gear for any of the following purposes:

(a) scientific research or experiment;

(b) exploiting certain marine resources specified in the licence;

(2) The Director may impose such conditions as he thinks fit on a licence issued under paragraph (1) and the conditions shall be specified in the licence.

(3) Any person who is not licensed in accordance with this regulation and who is found in possession of, or using a fixed fishing gear, commits an offence.

(4) Any person who is licensed in accordance with this regulation but uses a fixed fishing gear for a purpose other than for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraph (1), commits an offence.

7 (1) The Chairperson shall keep a register of every fishing vessel in respect of which a fishing vessel licence has been issued which shall set out the name and address of the owner and of each fisherman operating from such vessel and any conditions of the licence imposed under regulation 5(2).

(2) Any person, on payment of the prescribed fee may—

(a) inspect the register of licensed fishing vessels;

(b) require to be furnished with a certificate of the registration in the register of any licensed fishing vessel or owner thereof or with a certified copy of an entry in the register.

(3) A certificate of registration or a certified copy of an entry in the register shall be certified under the hand of an officer of the Department, authorised in that behalf and, if it purports to be so certified, shall in all legal proceedings, whether civil or criminal, be prima facie evidence of the facts certified therein.

Identification marks

8 (1) The Chairperson shall assign a separate identification mark to every fishing vessel licensed and registered under these Regulations and shall enter in the register of licensed fishing vessels and in the fishing vessel licence, the marks so assigned.

(2) Every licensed fishing vessel shall display the identification mark assigned to it, on the sides of the vessel and on the cabin top or the deck in such position as to be visible from above in characters not less than nine inches in height and one and one-half inches in width and spaced not less than three inches apart and the characters shall be marked red, black or such other colour contrasting with the background on which they are displayed as may in any particular case, be approved by a fisheries inspector.

(3) The owner of a licensed fishing vessel who fails to comply with paragraph (2), commits an offence.

(4) Any person who owns or operates any fishing vessel or any vessel which is not a licensed fishing vessel and which is marked with an identification mark which so resembles an identification mark assigned under this regulation as to be calculated to deceive, commits an offence.

(5) Any person whose fishing vessel licence has been suspended or revoked pursuant to any of these Regulations shall, upon such suspension or revocation, immediately remove from the vessel any mark identifying it as a licensed fishing vessel.

(6) A person who fails to comply with paragraph (5) commits an offence.

Transfer of interest

9 (1) A registered owner of a licensed fishing vessel desiring to transfer a licence issued to him under regulation 5 to another vessel he owns, shall make an application to the Chairperson, for such transfer, in such form as the Director may determine.

(2) Upon receipt of an application for the transfer of a licence under paragraph (1), the Chairperson may—

(a) reissue the licence in respect of the vessel to which the owner wants the licence to be transferred, after making such modifications as the Director may deem necessary for the better regulation of the fishing industry and must continue in force any conditions of the licence imposed by the Director under regulation 5; or

(b) refuse to permit the transfer of the licence.

Production of fishing vessel licence

10 (1) The registered owner of a licensed fishing vessel shall produce his licence when so required by a fisheries inspector.

(2) It shall be sufficient compliance with this regulation if the person on whom the requirement is imposed produces such licence at a police station within twenty-four hours of the time of the requirement.

(3) Any person who fails to comply with paragraph (1), commits an offence.

Catch and effort returns

11 (1) The owner or operator of every licensed fishing vessel shall keep a correct daily log of catch and effort statistics relating to the operation of that licensed fishing vessel and shall make a return of the catch and effort statistics, to the Director, at such time and in such form as the Director may determine by notice in the Gazette.

(2) The owner or, as the case may be, the operator of a licensed fishing vessel who fails to keep a correct daily log of catch and effort statistics or make the returns required by paragraph (1), commits an offence.

(3) In the event of a second or subsequent contravention of this regulation, the Chairperson may by notice to the owner, suspend or revoke his fishing vessel licence.

12 (1) The Chairperson shall maintain a register containing the names and addresses of all fishermen ordinarily resident in Bermuda.

(2) Any person desiring to be registered as a fisherman shall apply to the Chairperson in writing and pay the prescribed fee, to have his name and address entered in the register of fishermen maintained by the Chairperson under this regulation.

(3) The Chairperson may, upon being satisfied that the applicant is qualified to be registered as a fisherman, register him as a fisherman by entering his name and address in the register of fishermen, subject to such terms and conditions as the Director may think fit, for the better regulation of the fishing industry, and issue the registered fisherman with a photo identification.

(4) In the event of any change of address of a person who has applied to be registered as a fisherman or the change of address of a person registered as a fisherman, the applicant or the registered fisherman as the case may be, shall notify the Chairperson of the new address, within thirty days of the change.

(5) Any registered fisherman who fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions imposed on his licence under paragraph (3) or inform the Chairperson of a change of address as required under paragraph (4), commits an offence.

(6) A person shall not be qualified to be registered as a fisherman unless the person has Bermudian status, is a spouse of a person with Bermudian status or is a permanent resident.

(7) The registration of any person as a fisherman under this regulation shall expire on 31 March of each year unless renewed upon payment of the prescribed fee for registration.

(8) The Chairperson may strike the name of a person registered as a fisherman, off the register or may refuse to register a person, for stated misconduct.

Designation as full-time fisherman

13 (1) The Chairperson shall, upon receipt of an application and the payment of the prescribed fee, on the advice of the Director, designate a fisherman as a full-time fisherman.

(2) The Chairperson shall from time to time, on the advice of the Director, by notice in the Gazette, publish the criteria for designating a fisherman as a full-time fisherman.

Use of fishing nets

14 (1) Without prejudice to regulations 15 and 16, any person who uses any fishing net other than a cast net or a bait net—

(a) in that part of Flatts Inlet lying to the east of the piers of the former railway bridge at Flatts; or

(b) in Harrington Sound,

commits an offence.

(2) Without prejudice to any other provision of law, any person who—

(a) sets a fishing net in such a manner as to obstruct free access to any channel, pier, dock or landing; or

(b) sets a fishing net in the exclusive economic zone and does not remove the net within a period of six days from the time it was set; or

(d) uses or has in his vessel a gill net, unless authorised to use or have in his vessel such a net, by a permit issued by the Director in writing,

commits an offence.

(3) Notwithstanding this regulation, the Director may permit any registered fisherman to allow his net to remain in the exclusive economic zone for a period exceeding six days from the time it was set, and such permission may be subject to such conditions as the Director may impose.

(4) Any person who, in any of the places specified in paragraph (1) takes by any fishing net any —

(a) yellowtail snapper, hogfish, or any fish of the family Serranidae (including rockfish, hind and grouper); or

(b) any other fish imported into Bermuda for stock purposes,

commits an offence.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Regulations, any person who—

(a) uses a fishing net with meshes measuring less than 1/8 inch (3.2mm) when measured diagonally at full stretch; or

(b) uses a seine with meshes measuring less than 1/2 inch (13mm) when measured diagonally at full stretch; or

(d) not being a registered fisherman operating from a licensed fishing vessel, uses or has in his vessel or on the shoreline any fishing net other than a cast net not exceeding 8 feet (2.4m) in diameter,

commits an offence.

General restrictions on taking fish

15 (1) Any person who takes, sells or purchases any fish for purposes other than for use as bait or human or animal consumption, commits an offence.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prevent the taking of fish for sport or for the purposes of any private aquarium or personal shell collection or the retention of fish as a trophy.

(3) Any person who takes any bonefish (Albula vulpes), or any pompano (Trachinotus goodei) otherwise than on a hook and line, commits an offence.

(4) Any person fishing from land who takes or any vessel upon which is found more than one fish of each of the following description—

(a) Mycteroperca interstitialis, which includes Monkey rockfish, Flag rockfish and Salmon rockfish; and

(b) Mycteroperca bonaci, which includes Black rockfish, Runner rockfish and Black grouper,

shall be deemed to have taken the fish within a 24 hour period, unless the contrary is proved and shall be deemed to have committed an offence.

(5) Any person fishing from land who takes or any vessel upon which is found more than ten red hinds (Epinephelus guttatus) during the period beginning on 1 May and continuing until the 31 August in any year, shall be deemed to have taken the red hinds within a 24 hour period, unless the contrary is proved and shall be deemed to have committed an offence.

(6) Any person, other than a registered fisherman, fishing from land who takes or any vessel, which is not a licensed fishing vessel, upon which is found, more than thirty fish of the following description—

Lutjanus synagris Lane snapper

Silk snapper

Whitewater snapper

shall be deemed to have taken the fish within 24 hours, unless the contrary is proved and shall be deemed to have committed an offence.

(7) Any person who fins a shark at sea, commits an offence.

(8) Any person who takes any marine turtles on any beach or foreshore, commits an offence.

General restrictions on taking lobster

16 (1) Any person who takes, injures, sells, purchases or is found in possession of any lobster, whether alive or dead at any time when the lobster is bearing eggs, commits an offence.

(2) Any person who has in his possession, when on a vessel or while swimming, the tail section of a lobster which has been separated from the remainder of the body of the lobster, commits an offence.

(3) The Director may, upon an application made to him for a licence to take lobsters, made during a period specified by the Director by notice published in the Gazette and the payment of the prescribed fee, issue to the applicant, a licence to take lobsters.

(4) A licence issued under paragraph (3) shall have the following conditions attached to it—

(a) only a noose or snare of a type approved by the Director may be used for taking lobsters;

(b) no lobster so taken shall be sold;

(c) the holder of the licence shall make a return to the Director of catch and effort statistics, which return shall be in such form and shall be made at such intervals of time as the Director shall specify;

(d) the taking of lobsters shall be done only from such area or areas within the exclusive economic zone as specified in the licence;

(e) the holder of the licence can take not more than two lobsters during any continuous period of 24 hours;

(f) such licence shall be valid until 31 August in each year;

(g) such licence shall not confer a right to take spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) during the period specified in regulation 21.

(5) The holder of a licence issued under paragraph (3) who contravenes any of the conditions specified in paragraph (4) or who takes a spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) during the period specified in regulation 21, commits an offence.

(6) If any person, not being the holder of a valid licence issued to him under paragraph (3) authorising him to take lobsters, is found in possession of a lobster on a vessel or onshore, he shall be deemed to have taken the lobster in contravention of these Regulations and shall be deemed to have committed an offence, unless the contrary is proved.

(7) Any person who, not being the holder of a valid licence issued to him under paragraph (3) authorising him to take lobster, is found in possession of an instrument capable of taking lobster, other than a spear, harpoon or other similar device, either on a vessel or while swimming, commits an offence.

(8) Any person who is not licensed to take lobsters under these Regulations, who sells lobster, commits an offence.

General restrictions on landing fish

17 (1) Fish taken at sea must be landed with the skin of the fish, on the fish; fish species specified under regulation 20(2)(b) must be landed whole.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, fish taken at sea would be considered as landed whole if the head and tail of the fish are attached to the body of the fish.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation, eviscerated fish would be considered as landed whole, if the head and tail of the fish are attached to the body.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation, fish taken at sea will be considered as landed, when the fish is within the inshore areas specified in the Schedule.

(5) A person found in possession of any fish taken at sea that has not been landed whole, commits an offence.

Sale of fish taken from the EEZ

18 (1) A person who buys or sells any fish taken in the exclusive economic zone, commits an offence unless—

(a) the vendor of the fish is a fisherman registered under regulation 12; and

(b) the fish has been taken from a vessel licensed under regulation 5.

(2) A registered fisherman selling fish in compliance with paragraph (1), shall produce his photo identification issued under regulation 12, when required to do so.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the sale of fish taken by a registered fisherman using a licensed fishing vessel where the sale takes place in any shop, supermarket, restaurant or any eating establishment.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), a person buying fish on behalf of a shop, supermarket, restaurant or any eating establishment shall include the particulars of the fishing vessel licence of the vessel from which the fish was caught and particulars of the photo identification of the registered fisherman who caught the fish, on the sales invoice.

(5) The sales invoice referred to in paragraph (4) shall be signed by the vendor and the purchaser.

(6) All fish intended or exhibited for sale as local fish, shall be clearly identified as being local; every invoice, advertisement or label on the packaged fish, restaurant menu cards or signs exhibited in stores shall clearly state that the fish is local.

(7) Where fish, offered or exhibited for sale, including fish which has been iced, chilled or cut, is represented as being fresh, it must be fish of a quality fit for human consumption.

(8) Fish, offered or exhibited for sale as fresh, shall not include fish which has been frozen, smoked, salted, canned or processed.

(9) Any person who fails to comply with any provision in this regulation, commits an offence.

Sale of imported fish

19 (1) Imported fish, that is, fish taken elsewhere than within the exclusive economic zone, except pelagic fish, that is oceanic fish such as tuna and swordfish, taken in international waters by a vessel licensed under regulation 5, must on importation be clearly identified by species and the country of origin or export, and shall be certified as to its quality by the health authority of the country of origin or export. Such fish shall be subject to examination by a fisheries inspector.

(2) Imported fish shall be sold only on the wholesale market and shall not be retailed to members of the public.

(3) All fish intended or exhibited for sale as imported fish, shall be clearly identified as imported; every invoice, advertisement or label on the packaged fish, restaurant menu cards or signs exhibited in stores shall clearly state that the fish is imported.

(4) Any person who fails to comply with any provision in this regulation, commits an offence.

Protected fish

20 (1) Any person who takes, injures, sells, purchases or is in possession of, any protected fish, commits an offence.

(2) In this regulation, “protected fish” means any fish mentioned in this paragraph if lighter in weight or smaller in size than the size or weight specified herein in relation to such fish—

(a) in relation to spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus)—

(i) if the tail has not been removed, a size of three and five-eighths inches (92 mm) in length measured from the ridge at the base of the horns to the end of the carapace (back shell); or

(ii) if the tail has been removed, a tail weight of 12 ounces, or, if it is impracticable to weigh the tail, a second tail segment (the segment nearest the carapace and having two large spots) of one and threeeighths inches (35mm) measured along the longitudinal axis of the tail;

(b) in relation to—

(i) Black rockfish (Mycteroperca bonaci) 95cm (37ins) fork length;

(ii) Monkey rockfish (Mycteroperca interstitialis) 50cm (20ins) fork length;

(iii) Red hind (Epinephelus guttatus) 35cm (14ins) fork length;

(iv) Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) 45cm (18ins) fork length;

(v) Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) 30cm (12ins) fork length;

(vi) Lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) 25cm (10ins) fork length;

(c) in relation to yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), a weight of 3.2 kgs (7 lbs) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) a weight of 30 kgs (66 lbs) or 115 cm (45 ins) fork length and Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) a weight of 25 kgs (55 lbs) or 125 cm (49 ins) fork length measured from the lower jaw;

(d) in relation to blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) a weight of 114 kgs (250 lbs) and white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) a weight of 23 kgs (50 lbs).

(3) Any person who, not carrying with him, or on the vessel or shore from which he is fishing, a measuring instrument capable of measuring a spiny lobster as specified in paragraph (2)(a) or of measuring a fish specified in paragraph (2)(b), (c) and (d), takes or injures any fish of the species mentioned in paragraph (2), commits an offence.

Closed season for spiny lobsters

21 Notwithstanding regulations 15 and 16, any person who takes, injures, sells, purchases, or is in possession of spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) or any part thereof, during the period beginning on 1 April and continuing until 31 August in any year, commits an offence.

Spearfishing

22 (1) The Director may, upon application for that purpose made during the period specified by the Director by notice published in the Gazette and the payment of the prescribed fee, issue to an applicant, a licence to take fish by spearfishing.

(2) A licence issued under paragraph (1) shall have the following conditions included in any conditions attached to it—

(a) the licence shall be subject to paragraphs (3) to (10);

(b) the licence shall be valid until 31 August in each year; and

(c) the licensee shall make a return to the Director, of catch and effort statistics in such form and at such intervals as the Director may specify.

(3) Nothing in this regulation shall derogate from or abridge any provision of regulation 20 or 21.

(4) Any person—

(a) who uses a speargun in taking fish; or

(b) who uses an aqualung in taking fish by any means,

commits an offence.

(5) Any person—

(a) who takes or injures any lobster by spearfishing; or

(b) who takes or injures by spearfishing in any one day more than two fish of any one species; or

commits an offence.

(6) Any person who sells any fish taken by spearfishing, commits an offence.

(7) In this regulation—

(a) “aqualung” means any appliance, apparatus or mechanism whereby a person can continue to breathe when fully submerged in water;

(b) “spearfishing” means using a spear, harpoon or similar device above or under water except when gaffing a fish caught by a fishing line;

(c) “speargun” means any weapon, apparatus or mechanism so constructed as to be capable of being used underwater for the discharge (whether complete or partial) of any projectile, whether or not a spear or harpoon.

(8) Any fish found in a vessel in which an aqualung is being carried or any fish found in the possession of any person equipped with an aqualung shall be presumed to have been taken in contravention of paragraph (4), until the contrary is proved.

(9) Any person found swimming within an area in which spearfishing is prohibited by these Regulations, while carrying a spear, harpoon or other similar device, or swimming in an area in which the taking of lobsters by diving is prohibited, while carrying an instrument capable of taking a lobster other than a spear, harpoon or other similar device, commits an offence.

(10) Subject to these Regulations, any person found with an instrument capable of taking a lobster, or with a spear, harpoon or other similar device and an aqualung in his possession, either when in a vessel or on his person, while swimming, commits an offence.

Grant of licence to use fishing lines rigged with more than 15 hooks

23 (1) The Chairperson may, upon application made to him by a registered fisherman for that purpose, issue to the registered fisherman, a licence to use fishing lines rigged with an aggregate of more than fifteen hooks (whether vertically or horizontally) from or independently of a licensed fishing vessel, subject to such terms and conditions as the Director may think fit to impose for the better regulation of the fishing industry.

(2) No person shall use any fishing gear specified in paragraph (1) unless—

(a) he is a registered fisherman;

(b) he is licensed by the Chairperson under paragraph (1) to use that type of fishing gear;

(c) where floats are used, he has marked all floats on his fishing lines with the identification number of the licensed fishing vessel from which he is operating at the time;

(d) no more than six lines are used when set independently of his licensed fishing vessel; and

(e) in any case no more than 1000 hooks are used at any one time.

Duty to return fish which may not be taken

24 Where a person takes any fish which cannot lawfully, by reason of any provision in these Regulations or of any order made under sections 4 and 5 of the Act be taken, injured, sold, purchased or kept in possession, it shall be the duty of the person taking the fish to return it immediately into the sea; and if the person fails to do so, he commits an offence.

Using fixed fishing gear

25 Subject to these Regulations, any person who uses any fixed fishing gear for taking fish, commits an offence.

Use of explosives, poison, dredge or trawl

26 (1) Any person who takes or injures any fish by means of any explosive or poisonous substance, commits an offence.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply in relation to any explosive substance utilised—

(a) in connection with the breaking up of any rock or shoal or of any wreck; or

(b) in connection with the improvement of any ship channel.

(3) Any person who uses any dredge or trawl, commits an offence.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall not apply to any person authorised to use a dredge or trawl by a licence issued to him by the Director and which is used in accordance with the conditions which the Director imposed in the licence on the issue of the licence.

(5) For the purpose of this regulation “dredge” means any device having a rigid frame with a basket, bucket or hose attached, and used by being dragged in contact with the bottom of the sea, or used to scoop or suck fish from the bottom of the sea.

Prohibition against introducing live or unfrozen and uncooked fish into waters of Bermuda

27 Any person who introduces into the waters of Bermuda or into any system which discharges untreated wastes into the waters of Bermuda any live or unfrozen and uncooked fish, or any parts thereof, which have been imported into Bermuda, commits an offence, unless he has been authorised to do so by a licence issued to him by the Director and he has complied with the terms and conditions of the licence.

Interfering with fishing gear without consent of owner

28 Any unauthorised person who—

(a) hauls up, moves, empties or casts adrift any fishing net set for the taking or holding of fish, or fish car set for the storing of fish or any mooring, mark or buoy used in connection therewith, without the consent of the person owning or setting the fish net, fish car, mooring, mark or buoy; or

(b) removes any fish from any fishing net or fish car without the consent of the person setting the fish net or fish car; or

(c) hauls up, moves, empties or casts adrift any fixed fishing gear or mooring, mark or buoy used in connection therewith or who removes any fish from a fixed fishing gear without the consent of the owner of the gear and a licence to do so by the Chairperson,

commits an offence.

Punishment of offenders and forfeiture; suspension or revocation of licence

29 (1) Subject to section 14 of the Act, a person who contravenes any provision of these Regulations commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction, to imprisonment for one year or a fine of $25,000 or both such imprisonment and fine; and any fish taken in contravention of these Regulations and any vessel, instrument or equipment used in such taking may be liable to forfeiture.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), where a person licensed by the Chairperson or the Director under any provision in these Regulations—

(a) has violated a term or condition of his licence; or

(b) has been found guilty of an offence against these Regulations,

the Chairperson or the Director may, in his discretion, after giving the person concerned an opportunity to be heard, suspend or revoke the licence or the term or condition which has been violated or in relation to which the offence was committed.

Appeals to Minister

30 (1) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Director or the Chairperson—

(a) not to issue a licence;

(b) to revoke or suspend a licence; or

(c) on any condition subject to which a licence is issued or which is thereafter attached to a licence or any variation of such condition, may within 21 days from the date of such refusal or revocation, imposition or variation of the condition, or such period as the Minister may allow,

appeal in writing to the Minister.

(2) For the purposes of an appeal under paragraph (1), the Director or the Chairperson shall, at the time of giving his decision or not later than five working days after the date on which he makes a decision, give reasons, in writing, for the decision.

(3) After considering an appeal under paragraph (1), the Minister may if he thinks fit, vary the decision of the Director or the Chairperson and such variation shall take effect on such date as the Minister may determine.

(4) The Minister may give his decision as soon as possible after the hearing of the appeal but in no case, later than 10 working days after receipt of the notice of appeal.

(5) When a person gives notice of appeal to the Minister, the Minister may suspend the implementation of the decision of the Director or the Chairperson, pending the outcome of the appeal.

Inspection and enforcement

31 (1) For the purposes of ascertaining whether there is, or has been, any contravention of these Regulations, a fisheries inspector shall have the power to—

(a) enter any premises or any vehicle, vessel or place where fish may be held;

(b) haul up and inspect any fishing net, fixed fishing gear or other fishing gear (whether of the foregoing kind or not) and to remove therefrom any fish which cannot lawfully by reason of any provision of the Act or these Regulations be taken, and to seize any such fishing net, fixed fishing gear or other fishing gear which is used or possessed in contravention of the Act or these Regulations;

(c) require any person suspected of committing or having committed an offence against these Regulations, to give his name and address to him; or

(d) require the operator of a vessel to stop the vessel.

(2) Where any fishing net, fixed fishing gear or other fishing gear is seized under paragraph (1), the fisheries inspector may cause it to be brought before a court of summary jurisdiction and the court may, after hearing any representations made by the owner thereof, order the destruction or disposal of such fishing net, fixed fishing gear or other fishing gear in such manner as the court may direct.

(3) Any person issued a licence by the Chairperson or the Director under any provision of these Regulations shall, when required to do so by a fisheries inspector, produce his licence.

(4) It shall be sufficient compliance with paragraph (3), if the person on whom the requirement is imposed produces such licence at the Department of Environmental Protection or a police station within 24 hours of the time of the requirement.

(5) Any person who fails to comply with any requirement imposed on him by a fisheries inspector under paragraph (1) or (3) commits an offence.

(6) Where any unidentified fishing gear or thing is seized under paragraph (1), the Director may order such gear or thing to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of or, if such thing is living, to be released into the sea.

Revocation

32 The Fisheries Regulations 1972 are revoked.

SCHEDULE

(Regulation 17)

Fish will be considered “landed” if they are within the following designated areas—

(a) Sinky Bay

(b) Hungry Bay

(d) Castle Harbour (North of Castle and Nonsuch Islands)

(e) All bays and waters west of a line running from Gunner Pt., St. David’s and Gates Fort, St. George’s (this includes St. George’s Harbour, Great Bay, Cocoa Bay and Dolly’s Bay)

(f) Coot Pond

(g) Ferry Reach (South of the Railway pylons)

(h) Bailey’s Bay (South of Bay Island)

(i) Beanie’s Bay

(j) Burchall Cove

(k) Flatts Inlet (East of Gibbet’s Island)

(l) Harrington Sound

(m) Devonshire Dock

(n) All bays and waters west of a line running from Cobbler’s Island, Spanish Point and Commissioner’s Pt., Dockyard (this includes Great Sound, Little Sound, Boss’s Cove, Mills Creek and Hamilton Harbour)

(o) All bays and waters south of a line running from Dockyard Point or Greys Bridge to Kings Point in Sandys Parish (to include Mangrove Bay)

(p) All bays and waters south of a line running from Kings Point in Sandys Parish to Daniel’s Island, Sandys Parish (this includes Long Bay)

(q) All bays and waters south of a line running from Daniel’s Island, Sandys Parish to Gunpoint, Sandys Parish (this includes Ely’s Harbour).

Made this day of 20th, August 2010

Minister of the Environment and Sports

Eagle ray at Snakepit Buoyed MPA

2010-08-13T10:29:00.000-03:00

The BREAM team: Waterlogged but happy after completing 30 foot surveys around Bermuda!

2010-07-23T11:57:00.002-03:00

The yellow dots in the map above show the locations of the 25 new sites surveyed by BREAM in June and July 2010

By: Jessie Hallett

BREAM is pleased to have completed another bulk of surveys it began undertaking last
year towards the OTEP grant it received in 2009. We’ve now completed surveys of all the MPA’s in Bermuda, 25 surveys at 90 feet with our handy drop camera, and with our helpful summer interns, we have completed the 30 foot dives around the fore-reef of Bermuda.

These surveys mark the first large-scale assessment of these off shore habitats, which are
beautiful and rich in species and coral cover, and complement assessments done of shallow inshore communities in the lagoon and rim reef between 2004 and 2008. All this information is important in helping us to get a better idea of the multitude of reef resources we have in Bermuda, guiding us to properly manage them, so that Bermuda can continue to become a leader in world conservation management.

With our 30 foot dives completed, BREAM is diving deeper to complete surveys of the 60 foot terrace. We’ve completed four sites so far, only 21 more to go by mid August!

Summer has begun at BREAM!

2010-06-17T10:56:00.002-03:00

With the water warming up and the sun shining, the BREAM team is gearing up for another busy summer of habitat surveys. Having completed surveys of the 90 foot rim reef terrace, a region that has been rarely studied, using our drop camera, we are now beginning SCUBA surveys of 30 foot and 60 foot rim sites to obtain baseline information of these habitats. Completing these surveys will complement the surveys BREAM has already done in the Lagoon in order to determine the distribution and health of fish and coral populations, find biodiversity hotspots, and help provide information that will be necessary for spatial management of our reefs. To help us accomplish this goal, we have two new interns working with us this summer.

Taylor Gorham is a Bermudian intern entering her third year at McGill University in Canada, studying Marine Biology. Mollie Sinnott is joining us from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, where she is studying Biology. Both are excited to learn about coral reefs and marine conservation, and are welcome additions to the BREAM team!

If anyone is ever interested in volunteering or interning with us, please contact us!

Mesophotic reef surveys completed!

2010-06-09T12:28:00.001-03:00

Yellow dots indicate locations of deep reef survey sites assessed over the past month by the BREAM team.

[Click on the map for a high-resolution version]

On Wednesday June 2nd the BREAM team completed the planned video assessment of 25 reef sites located at 90ft depth (with some transects on steep terrain spanning 80-120ft depths). Sites were surveyed with a video drop camera array (see past post), with a target of 500m of sea floor surface filmed per site. Downward facing high-definition 1080 video cameras filmed coral and other attached biota, while forward facing cameras filmed the fish community.

The research was carried out on the RV Endurance, piloted by Capt. Tim Hasselbring. The BREAM team was assisted by the volunteers Gil Nolan, Alison Copeland, Teddy Gosling and Lynn Wolf, and by intern Taylor Gorham.

The project is one of four components funded by the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme, and was supported by the Department of Conservation Services, Department of Environmental Protection, the Bermuda Zoological Society, the Atlantic Conservation Partnership and the Stempel Foundation. The information gathered will become part of the BREAM marine biodiversity and GIS databases at the BAMZ Natural History Museum and will be used to inform and guide marine resource management practices and scientific research.

We are training our Stempel-funded and ACP-funded student interns Taylor Gorham and Mollie Sinnott this week, and then progress on to the 10m (30ft) and 20m (60ft) reef surveys, which we will do on SCUBA using a modified version of the AGRRA protocol.

Happy World Oceans Day!

2010-06-08T14:02:00.002-03:00

A locally-rare Porites porites hard coral colony, photographed growing at 3-ft depth along the shoreline of one of the Great Sound islands during a BREAM biological diversity assessment survey.

[click on the photo for a desk-top quality image]
Photo credit: Thad Murdoch - 2010

Fisheries Public Meetings

2010-06-07T11:50:00.003-03:00

The Ministry of Environment and Sports, Department of Environmental Protection – Marine Resources Section will hold public meetings to discuss the recently released Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Bermuda’s Living Marine Resources.

All meetings will be held in the Jack King Building in the Botanical Gardens starting at 7 p.m. and will be on the following dates:

Tuesday, June 8 2010: Recreational Anglers Clubs

Wednesday, June 9, 2010: Lobster Divers and Spearfishers

Thursday, June 10, 2010: Recreational line fishers

Tuesday, June 15, 2010: Commercial Fishermen

Thursday, June 17, 2010: Environmental NGOs

The Strategy for the Sustainable use of Bermuda’s Living Marine Resources is available on the Government portal www.gov.bm under the Environmental Protection website.

For more information e-mail fisheries[at]gov.bm or call 293 5600

Deep reef surveys happening around the world

2010-05-28T11:17:00.000-03:00

It seems that May is the month for deep reef video surveys.

Apparently scientists are also surveying coral reefs in the mesophotic zone in Samoa
[link]

Here in Bermy, we have been weathered out for the past week, but plan to resume surveys next week of 30m reefs. We have 7 sites remaining to be surveyed as of today.

Get involved with BREAM!!!

2010-05-22T09:37:00.002-03:00

The BREAM programme relies 100% on funding and donations.

If you would like to support BREAM please go to the Atlantic Conservation Partnership website [link] and specify that you would like your donation to go to BREAM.

Also - We rely on volunteers and intern support.

If you are interested in volunteering as a diver, boater, or in other ways, please contact us at:

Tel: (441) 293-4464 x144

email: tjmurdoch (at) gov.bm

18 deep reef sites surveyed by video array

2010-05-20T15:37:00.005-03:00

In 3 1/2 "boat" days the BREAM team and volunteers have surveyed 18 sites located at 5-km intervals around the Bermuda reef platform (see the yellow start and end points in map above). We have been using the Bermuda Zoological Society RV Endurance to do the research. Sites are centered at 90ft depth, and occasionally extend up to 75ft and down to a maximum depth of 130ft. At each site we are filming a 500m long transect using HD1080 high def video for analysis of coral community structure and fish population composition. We hope to complete 25 sites in total at the 90ft depth range.

The project is funded by the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme, the Bermuda Zoological Society, the Atlantic Conservation Partnership and the Bermuda Government Department of Conservation Services, and supported by the Department of Environmental Protection.

You can follow the BREAM programme on Facebook at the following link (Facebook)

First 5 sites surveyed at 80-120 ft depth on South Shore yesterday

2010-05-13T11:34:00.003-03:00

Here is the first HD video image from the BREAM drop-camera. This was filmed at 110 ft off South Shore Bermuda in HD1080, from a video camera array hanging 110ft off the boat. The array was about 3ft above the reef. The bright green dots are 2 laser lights set at 10cm. The image is almost exactly 1:1.

more soon. we are going through the first videos from the down-looking and forward-looking cameras now.

30m Reef Surveys using a Video Camera Array

2010-05-07T16:28:00.003-03:00

The BREAM video camera array. Circular holes in the front allow internal video cameras to film fishes.

The BREAM team has been busy for the past couple of months designing and building a video camera array, or "drop-camera", to survey coral reefs that are too deep to survey by divers.

A view of the underside of the video array, showing the circular holes
for the video cameras to film through, and the rectangular holes forlights.
BREAM technician Robert Fisher is standing proudly in the background.

The camera array has 2 HD1080 video cameras (with associated pairs of 1500W lights and a pair of green lasers to provide scale in the resultant video) facing downward to film the corals, and an additional pair of HD cameras without lights to film fish. The array also has a lower resolution camera that is wired to the surface by a cable that provides live video that we can see while the array is deployed. This video allows us to keep the array at the correct depth in the water column and hopefully will allow us to avoid unexpected objects etc.

We have been field testing the camera array, and hope to use it to survey reefs at 30m starting next week!

The array was primarily built by BREAM technician Robert Fisher. Video cameras and associated equipment is mounted on a custom-built aluminum frame, which slides on rails into a large fiberglass faring (which is a recycled water-pressure tank). We put the frame in a round faring to minimize the likelihood that the array gets snagged on a rock or piece of abandoned fishing gear etc.

This is the aluminum inner frame onto which video cameras
(with lenses protected by blue tape in this photo) and
lights and lasers are attached. The frame
slides into the grey faring securely mounted on rails.

Aluminum fins were attached to the sides and the array faring has a tail, like a fish, so that the array tracks properly in the water.

The array is attached to the boat by a rope that connects to the rail along the top of the faring. A separate cable which carries the live video data will also connect to the boat, but is not under tension.

We will survey 25 locations around the entire Bermuda platform, getting the first view of the health and abundance of the corals and fishes on this amazing and important marine habitat!

Fish Mortality Event

2010-04-27T12:19:00.004-03:00

Porgy (12" length)

Hogfish (18" length)

Noticed a small fish "die-off" or mortality event on Sunday at Salt Kettle in Hamilton Harbour. Have heard others were seen at Baileys Bay and Dockyard.

Will post the contact should you see several dead fish shortly.

Cool winters could trigger bigger jelly fish blooms in summer

2010-04-26T15:22:00.003-03:00

Research at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, my alma mater, indicates that jellyfish produce more young jellyfish during colder winters, and that this causes larger blooms of adult jellyfish in the summer. Bermuda had a particularly cold winter (NOAA water temperature graph), and perhaps this means Bermuda will have a particularly dense accumulation of moon jellies this summer.

You can read the article here - link

Bermuda Marine Resources Strategy 2010

2010-04-20T15:09:00.004-03:00

Here is a link to "A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Bermuda's Living Marine Resources" [pdf]

Department of Environmental Protection

Ministry of Environment and Sport

Bermuda Government

BREAM - FY2009 Research Summary

2010-04-14T11:29:00.001-03:00

Staff:
Chief Scientist: Thaddeus J. T. Murdoch, PhD
Laboratory Manager: Jessie Hallett, BSc
Dive Safety Officer: Robert Fisher, BFA, PADI dive instructor

Volunteers:
Ian Murdoch; Judie Clee; Jamie Rosser; Peter Hopkin

Interns 2009:
ACP: Brittany Huntington (RSMAS); Anke Moesinger (DISL)
OTEP: Katherine Yates (York)
GSEP: Claire Grenfell

Visiting Scientists
Matt Ajemian, Dauphin Island Sea Lab (BZS: Clee fellowship)

Brief Summary
Headed by Bermudian Dr. Thaddeus Murdoch, the BREAM: (Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping) Programme exists to produce and support multidisciplinary studies of Bermuda’s marine environment and to promote its care. Key to these endeavors is the use of rigorous assessment methodologies, data management, statistical analysis, and habitat mapping using geographic information systems (GIS).

BREAM projects in 2009 to date include:
· OTEP-funded assessment of most Buoyed Dive Site MPAs
· Coral transplantation from wreck near Heritage Wharf, Dockyard
· Baseline surveys around Dockyard prior to use of Heritage Wharf
· Coral husbandry apparatus developed and tested, for research and conservation actions
· A programme of ecological experiments on interactions between environmental conditions, fishes and corals and their effects of lagoonal reef health at Devil’s Flat
· Continuous water temperature assessment across Hamilton Harbour, Great and Little Sound, including during the 2009 summer fish mass mortality event
· provided research experience to US, UK and Bermudian summer interns
· took part in local and international scientific research meetings and publications
· advised the Bermuda Government Dept. Conservation Services and Dept. Environmental Protection in marine environmental issues
· supported international doctoral graduate students who:
- assessed the population ecology and feeding behaviour of eagle rays
- examined the ecology of patch reef corals and fishes

Comprehensive Summary
In April 2009, BREAM collaborated with the Department of Conservation Services on several occasions. BREAM helped transplant corals found on a derelict wreck adjacent to the new ship terminal of Heritage Wharf onto bare reef space left by the 2006 ship grounding. BREAM also conducted 12 baseline benthic surveys around Dockyard and Heritage Wharf. Later in the spring, BREAM received an OTEP grant to conduct benthic and fish surveys of all the buoyed MPA’s, as well as 30 foot, 60 foot, and 90 foot rim reef and terrace sites from 2009 to 2011. Spring also saw the completion of the BZS funded historical ecology project conducted by BREAM scientist Jessie Hallett on the two hundred year old Hurd survey.
During the summer, BREAM received assistance from four graduate students and interns. Most of the summer was spent on small-scale ecological studies in the vicinity of Devil’s Flat, where BREAM has been focusing research efforts on a long-term ecological assessment of the region. Physical data such as light and temperature were taken at multiple locations and depths, in order to quantify their effects on benthic community structure. A design for coral racks were developed and implemented, to be used for both coral husbandry and scientific research. In order to determine the optimal time for coral transplantation, coral recovery rates from experimentally-produced tissue lesions were assessed on a monthly basis since April 1st.. A pilot study was inititated into the effects of light on coral recruitment at the patch scale, by building a concrete block wall that had a south-face and a north-face. Five small concrete block artificial reefs were also built to examine seasonal rates of fish recruitment relative to natural patch reefs. The effects of parrotfish and damselfish on coral recruitment were also studied, and research regarding these interactions was initiated.
Throughout the year, temperature data was recorded at 10 different locations throughout the Great Sound. Temperature and light data was also recorded during the solstice and equinox periods during the year at a pinnacle reef adjacent to Devil’s Flat, to examine how light attenuation changes with depth and aspect on these reefs.
The remainder of the year 2009 BREAM focused on OTEP surveys of Buoyed Dive MPA sites. BREAM provided internship experience to Anke Moesinger through till the end of November to accomplish this task. During October, Matthew Ajemian will be in Bermuda continuing his studies of the ecology of the Eagle Ray population of Harrington Sound.
Winter 2010 BREAM focused on building a video drop camera, to survey reefs below 30-m depth, as part of the OTEP-funded project to describe forereef community structure around the Bermuda seamount. Murdoch and Hallett each presented at the Benthic Ecology Meeting in North Carolina.

Acknowledgements
BREAM is very grateful to accept support from the following funding agencies
• Department of Conservation Services http://www.conservation.bm
• Bermuda Zoological Society http://www.bamz.org
• Atlantic Conservation Partnership http://www.atlanticconservationpartnership.com/
• UK Govt – Foreign and Commonwealth Office – Overseas Territories Environmental Programme http://www.ukotcf.org/OTEP/
• National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration: http://www.noaa.org
• Ernest Stempel Foundation

RG: Bermuda can take the lead in protecting the Sargasso Sea, Cox indicates in Budget

2010-03-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

Bermuda Royal Gazette
March 1, 2010
Link

Bermuda can take the lead in protecting the Sargasso Sea, Cox indicates in Budget

By Amanda Dale

Bermuda is spearheading the creation of one of the first high seas marine protected areas (MPAs).

The Sargasso Sea could be designated an MPA, protecting its marine life for future generations.

Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Paula Cox announced the project during the Budget on Friday, saying it was not only globally important but would also protect the waters of Bermuda.

"The health of Bermuda's marine ecosystem is entirely dependent on the health of the wider ocean that surrounds us," she said.

"A feasibility study on a project of global importance protecting the Sargasso Sea will be completed in 2010-2011.

"The Bermuda Government will be actively investigating how Bermuda can partner with other governments and scientific agencies to act as a catalyst for the designation of the Sargasso Sea as one of the first high seas marine protected areas (MPA)."

Local and international scientists met this week at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute to discuss the practical steps needed

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said: "Bermuda is the only land mass in the Sargasso Sea and as such we are in a unique position to spearhead this initiative to protect the sea as a marine protected area.

"This is an exciting initiative not just for Bermuda but for all the scientists, environmentalists and others around the world who work tirelessly to protect our oceans."

Premier Ewart Brown said: "We know that there is very likely much more that we can learn about how the Sargasso's biodiversity supports life on the planet. What we do know should be enough to persuade anyone that we must protect the Sargasso and other seas like her."

The Sargasso Sea is up to 700 miles wide and 2,000 miles long. Bermuda sits near its western edge.

This area of water is distinctive for its deep blue colour and clarity, with underwater visibility of up to 200 ft. It plays a major role in the migration of the European eel and American eel.

It is also crucial to the survival of young loggerhead sea turtles, who travel to the sea to use its sargassum seaweed as protection from predators until they are mature.

The sea has long been an area of mystery and for centuries was dreaded by sailors because of its deadly calms, also known as the 'doldrums'. Its masses of sargassum seaweed can also stall ships during long periods of weak winds.

The Sargasso also accumulates a high concentration of non-biodegradable plastic waste, which has been compared to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In this year's Budget, the Ministry of the Environment and Sports will receive $39 million $1 million less than last year.

Government is to further the development of the Cooper's Island Nature Reserve into an ecotourism attraction. It will also initiate a mangrove conservation and restoration plan.

The project will establish a restoration site to protect existing stands and initiate new stands of mangroves.

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said: "For Bermuda, mangroves are an important habitat for terrestrial and marine animals and are recognised as providing critical shelter for juvenile fish and organisms at key parts of their lifecycle.

"Mangroves also provide an irreproducible buffer to coastal erosion."

Also in the Budget, Government announced it will amend national parks regulations to tackle litter and dumping, vandalism and scrambling.

Department of Parks officers will also be trained to issue fines to offenders.

Meanwhile, 'user-pay' charges are in the pipeline for people taking waste to the Airport Dump and Marsh Folly.

Andrew Vaucrosson, president of sustainability group Greenrock, said: "The amount of waste Bermuda generates on a per capita basis is shocking. We all need to work together through recycling, composting and post-consumer purchasing. We need to reduce our individual contribution to our waste problem.

"By looking at implementing fees for dumping, this will provide a financial deterrent."

Keep Bermuda Beautiful however, did not welcome the measure, saying it could instead lead to more fly tipping.

Anne Hyde, the charity's acting executive director, said: "KBB members and volunteers have noticed a marked increase in illegal dumping over the last year.

"We feel certain that more people will dump illegally in the woods if they are forced to pay a drop-off fee to dispose of bulky waste material.

"All waste facilities should be free drop-off.'

More and more plastics in Bermuda waters and Sargasso Sea

2010-03-03T16:08:00.004-04:00

Plastic collected on Bermuda beaches by BREAM volunteer Judie Clee.
Note all plastic pieces are heavily bitten, presumably by turtles and fishes.

From the Bermuda Sun newspaper [link]

Friday 26th Feb, 2010

Heather Jardin

Masses of plastic debris collecting east of BDA
Scientists have discovered an area of the North Atlantic Ocean to the east of Bermuda where huge amounts of plastic debris are accumulating.

The region is said to compare with the well-documented "great Pacific garbage patch. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation earlier this week Kara Lavender Law of the Sea Education Association (SEA) announced the findings of a two-decade-long study.

Local scientist Dr. Thad Murdoch is the chief scientist of the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping programme at the Bermuda Zoological Society and said the findings come as "no surprise".

"The way the currents move around the Atlantic is very similar to the Pacific," Dr. Murdoch explained. "Floating objects falling into the water from either Europe or North America are spun into the middle - from logs to trees to plastic.

"The seaweed in the Sargasso Sea floats around and is held in location by the way of the water currents. That seaweed is a critical habitat for juvenile fish - many of which we rely on as a food source, such as tuna.

"When plastic is mixed up with the seaweed it can have very damaging effects on the fish, especially if it is eaten which can kill them.

"Plastic is very new to our world so fish, birds and turtles don't know not to eat it. It is full of hormone mimics called phthalates which can mess up a fish's reproductive system."

The SEA study is the conclusion of the longest and most extensive record of plastic marine debris in any ocean basin, according to the BBC.

Scientists and students from SEA collected plastic and marine debris in fine mesh nets that were towed behind a research vessel.

The researchers carried out 6,100 tows in areas of the Caribbean and the North Atlantic - off the coast of the U.S..

More than half of these expeditions revealed floating pieces of plastic on the water surface.

These were pieces of low-density plastic that are used to make many consumer products, including plastic bags - generally very small.

The maximum "plastic density" was 200,000 pieces of debris per square kilometre.

A group (called Five Gyres) separate from SEA was in Bermuda last month looking at plastic accumulation off the island. They have had huge support from local environmental group Greenrock.

"We have carried out our own studies here in Bermuda and found very heavily-bitten pieces of plastic," Dr. Murdoch. "It's a real pity because it's not our trash. It is most likely from Central and North America and Europe and Africa."

Bermuda's Coral Reefs provide $722 million in value per year

2010-02-04T13:56:00.007-04:00

BREAM contributed our coral reef and fish data to aid in the Assessment of the Total Economic Value of Bermuda's Coral Reef (click for executive summary), described in the Bermuda Sun article (link) out Feb 4th ; and Royal Gazette article out Feb 5th (link)

Bermuda Sun
Feb. 4th 2010

Coral reefs worth an average of $722 million per year
Economic benefits include tourism, fisheries and storm protection

THURSDAY, FEB. 4: The Department of Conservation Services within the Ministry of the Environment and Sports today released a study on the Total Economic Value (TEV) of Bermuda's Coral Reefs which shows that the annual value of the coral reef ecosystem averages $722 million, potentially amounting to $1.1 billion per year.

Bermuda's coral reefs provide substantial economic benefits through coastal protection from storms and hurricanes as well as supporting both the tourism industry and commercial and recreational fisheries. In short they are a fundamental contributor to a quality of life envied worldwide.

The Total Economic Value for Bermuda's coral reefs represents on average 12% of Bermuda's Gross Domestic Product (GDP in 2007 was of US$5.85 billion).

In summing up the aims of this economic valuation, Dr. Samia Sarkis of the Department of Conservation Services commented: "This first environmental economic valuation for Bermuda is paving the way for an alternative approach to conservation of natural resources.

"The recognition of the value of a natural resource or ecosystem is a fundamental step in considering the impact we have on the environment, the loss of ecological functions and the economic losses that ensue. This study has demonstrated the importance that coral reefs hold in the eye of the community and the tourists - reflected in their willingness to trade off monies (up to $50 million per year) for conservation and management of the reef system.

"The increased awareness will continue to generate support among the community and policy and decision-makers for ensuring sustainable development. For policy makers, and local businesses, the study also provides a tool enabling the integration of environmental concerns in the decision-making process and places it on a comparable (monetary) basis with economic and social impacts.

"It is hoped that these results on the TEV of Bermuda's coral reefs will assist in identifying and implementing more sustainable policies and activities, balancing environmental, social and economic goals for the long term sustainability of our most prominent marine asset, the northernmost coral reef system in the world."

This project was initiated and coordinated by the Department of Conservation Services (Government of Bermuda) in collaboration with environmental economists from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (U.K.) and implemented by the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) of the Vrije University (Netherlands) and a Bermuda-based scientific team.

It was funded by the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme (OTEP, U.K.), XL Foundation in Bermuda, and contributed to by the Bermuda Government for initial framework development.

The study's progress was overseen by a Steering Committee composed of Bermuda Government representatives (Department of Marine & Ports, Tourism, Finance, Environmental Protection, Forward Planning, Conservation Services, and Sustainable Development Unit), and well-respected members of the community.

Results of the study are published in a 200 page report "Total Economic Value of Bermuda's Coral Reefs: Valuation of Ecosystem Services" written by Pieter J.H. van Beukering, Samia Sarkis, Emily McKenzie, Sebastiaan Hess, Luke Brander, Mark Roelfsema, Loes Looijenstijn-van der Putten and Tadzio Bervoets.

The Executive Summary of the report will be available at www.gov.bm under The Ministry of Environment and Sports.
________________________________________________________

Royal Gazette Feb 5th 2010

Report puts $700m 'value' on our reefs

By Amanda Dale

Photo by Mark Tatem Salt spray: Waves crash over a boiler reef on South Shore as winds picked up on February 19, 2009. Boiler reefs serve to break up high seas and protect Bermuda's beaches from erosion.

For centuries myths have abounded about lost treasure beneath the Island's waters, but today a survey shines a light on riches of a different kind.

We are not talking doubloons, gold or precious gems, but a treasure chest bursting with colourful marine life.

A team of environmental economists has now placed a value on Bermuda's coral reefs, estimated at more than $700 million a year.

An in-depth survey estimates the Total Economic Value (TEV) of the ecosystem to be $722 million, rising to a potential annual $1.1 billion. Based on 2007 figures, this equates to 12 percent of the Island's gross domestic product (GDP) of $5.85 billion.

Teaming up with Bermuda-based scientists, environmental economists conducted in-depth research into all aspects of the Island's coral reefs.

This included their importance in shielding homes from storm surge and their role in tourism and fisheries.

The survey results could result in legislation inflicting fines on those damaging coral reefs and greater environmental protection and enforcement.

Initiated by Government in partnership with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK) and the Institute for Environmental Studies at Vrije University (Netherlands), the research was funded by the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme and XL Foundation in Bermuda.

The 'Total Economic Value of Bermuda's Coral Reefs: Valuation of Ecosystem Services' states its purpose is "to address the lack of environmental consideration in current policy and decision-making for the marine environment, by providing a means of recognising the value of the range of ecosystem services provided by Bermuda's coral reefs".

Recognising that the Island is one of the most densely-populated countries in the world, the report says establishing a monetary value on the reefs will ensure greater inclusion in future planning and development decisions.

As the northernmost coral reef system in the world, it adds "Bermuda's reefs are of global importance". Their northerly latitude has offered protection from climate change events such as coral bleaching and the system is considered one of the healthiest in the region.

It is hoped the survey will also bring improvements in coral reef management, and it is noted that residents and tourists would be willing to contribute $50 million a year to conservation.

Among the report's recommendations are an environmental tourist tax and the creation of marine protected areas.

Samia Sarkis, of the Department of Conservation Services, said yesterday: "This first environmental economic valuation for Bermuda is paving the way for an alternative approach to conservation of natural resources.

"For policymakers, and local businesses, the study also provides a tool enabling the integration of environmental concerns in the decision-making process, and places it on a comparable (monetary) basis with economic and social impacts.

"It is hoped that these results on the TEV of Bermuda's coral reefs will assist in identifying and implementing more sustainable policies and activities, balancing environmental, social and economic goals for the long-term sustainability of our most prominent marine asset, the northernmost coral reef system in the world."

Triangle Diving owner Graham Maddocks was one of the survey participants.

"There is no such other coral reef system in the world which can sustain such a temperature transfer," he said.

"Around the world coral reefs are dying because they're not used to temperature change. But while reefs in the Caribbean only experience changes of a couple of degrees, in Bermuda our reefs go from 63 to 83 degrees. They are therefore of global importance."

Ina-Bianca Kuesters, manager of Blue Water Divers' Elbow Beach branch, said: "The coral reefs are not only important to tourism but to everyone in Bermuda. That's why it's important not to overfish or litter the ocean and our beaches.

"I hope this study will make people more aware."

Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce chairman Stuart Hayward said: "Bermudians know that the reefs are essential to our survival. We know that without them, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for the Bermuda seamount to have survived the onslaught of ocean waves and swells.

"This understanding has grown over the years, making us more aware of the need to protect and preserve our ring of coral reef protection, and to be wary of schemes that might adversely affect their integrity.

"The study's emphasis in its recommendations on sustainable management of the reef ecosystem and in exercising extreme care when pursuing activities that impinge on the reefs is highly welcomed.

"We trust it will lead the way to further studies and a more research-based foundation for marine and terrestrial policies."

Acting Environment Minister Zane DeSilva was unavailable for comment.

NY Times - To save the planet - Save the Seas!

2010-01-06T13:33:00.000-04:00

To Save the Planet, Save the Seas

By DAN LAFFOLEY

Published: December 26, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/opinion/27lafolley.html?_r=2

FOR the many disappointments of the recent climate talks in Copenhagen, there was at least one clear positive outcome, and that was the progress made on a program called Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Under this program, key elements of which were agreed on at Copenhagen, developing countries would be compensated for preserving forests, peat soils, swamps and fields that are efficient absorbers of carbon dioxide, the primary heat-trapping gas linked to global warming.

This approach, which takes advantage of the power of nature itself, is an economical way to store large amounts of carbon. But the program is limited in that it includes only those carbon sinks found on land. We now need to look for similar opportunities to curb climate change in the oceans.

Few people may realize it, but in addition to producing most of the oxygen we breathe, the ocean absorbs some 25 percent of current annual carbon dioxide emissions. Half the world’s carbon stocks are held in plankton, mangroves, salt marshes and other marine life. So it is at least as important to preserve this ocean life as it is to preserve forests, to secure its role in helping us adapt to and mitigate climate change.

Sea-grass meadows, for example, which flourish in shallow coastal waters, account for 15 percent of the ocean’s total carbon storage, and underwater forests of kelp store huge amounts of carbon, just as forests do on land. The most efficient natural carbon sink of all is not on land, but in the ocean, in the form of Posidonia oceanica, a species of sea grass that forms vast underwater meadows that wave in the currents just as fields of grass on land sway in the wind.

Worldwide, coastal habitats like these are being lost because of human activity. Extensive areas have been altered by land reclamation and fish farming, while coastal pollution and overfishing have further damaged habitats and reduced the variety of species. It is now clear that such degradation has not only affected the livelihoods and well-being of more than two billion people dependent on coastal ecosystems for food, it has also reduced the capacity of these ecosystems to store carbon.

The case for better management of oceans and coasts is twofold. These healthy plant habitats help meet the needs of people adapting to climate change, and they also reduce greenhouse gases by storing carbon dioxide. Countries should be encouraged to establish marine protected areas — that is, set aside parts of the coast and sea where nature is allowed to thrive without undue human interference — and do what they can to restore habitats like salt marshes, kelp forests and sea-grass meadows.

Managing these habitats is far less expensive than trying to shore up coastlines after the damage has been done. Maintaining healthy stands of mangroves in Asia through careful management, for example, has proved to cost only one-seventh of what it would cost to erect manmade coastal defenses against storms, waves and tidal surges.

The discussions in Copenhagen have opened the way for all countries to improve the management of oceans and coasts to harness their immense potential to mitigate climate change — especially over the next decade, while the world’s politicians, scientists and engineers develop longer-term strategies for stabilizing the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases.

In their continuing negotiations on climate change, nations should now make it a priority to produce a single map of the world that documents all the different types of coastal carbon sinks, and identify the ones that are in most immediate need of preservation. New studies should be undertaken to better understand how best to manage these areas to increase carbon sequestration. Then, following the example of the forests program, it will be possible to establish formulas for compensating countries that preserve essential carbon sinks in the oceans.

We urgently need to bring the ocean into the agenda alongside forests so that, as soon as possible, we can help the oceans to help us.

Dan Laffoley is the marine vice chairman of the World Commission on Protected Areas at the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the principal specialist for marine at Natural England.

Happy Holidays from the BREAM team

2009-12-24T13:54:00.004-04:00

Banded cleaner shrimp (c) Ian Murdoch
http://www.bermudaunderwaterphotography.com/

Photo Wednesday - Deep Blue RV Endurance

2009-12-16T15:58:00.004-04:00

A snorkeler floats suspended at the bow
of the Bermuda Zoological Society's RV Endurance
[click photo for larger image] (c) T. Murdoch

The BREAM mission

2009-12-09T13:46:00.005-04:00

BREAM: The Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping Programme

BREAM represents the marine side of the Bermuda Biodiversity Project (BBP) at the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS).

The Bermuda Biodiveristy Project is the umbrella name for all research at the BAMZ facility, including projects conducted in conjunction with other organisations. The BBP goals are to initiate and coordinate a comprehensive local and international effort to catalogue all of Bermuda's flora and fauna, forming the basis for the sustainable use of the Island's living resources.

The BZS was created to enhance the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo for the benefit of Bermuda, its residents and visitors. The Bermuda Government provides continuous support of the physical plant and operational needs, while the BZS, a not-for-profit organisation, supports the development, education and research programmes at BAMZ, and organises special exhibits and activities for the community.

The aims of BREAM are:

A) To support multidisciplinary studies of Bermuda’s coral reef complex in order to enhance the research and management of our unique marine environment. This is accomplished in several ways:

through direct, targeted studies by the resident team to address management/research needs;
by encouraging collaborative ventures with other local or visiting scientists;
by providing logistic support to other researchers;
by securing funds for specific projects to be undertaken either by the resident team, or in collaboration with overseas scientists;
and by sharing all information with the scientific community through databases, publications, workshop and conferences.

B) To properly document and orchestrate data collection, management and sharing through the development of a GIS framework in order to promote improved local, regional and international understanding of coral reef systems. This is accomplished by:

collating all available historical information; by establishing standards for data collection;
by sharing information;
by encouraging the adoption of policies by the Environment Ministry through which local and visiting research studies can be tracked to ensure that a copy of all findings is secured locally.

C) To integrate the resource managers, the scientific community and the users in the management processes to define common goals and to recognize the significant pressures and conflicts that are placed upon our marine environment.

This is accomplished through:specific workshops held locally with representatives of all stakeholder groups, building upon the framework of the Bermuda Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

D) To promote a range of public awareness programmes, with the goal of promoting care of our unique coral reef ecosystem. This is accomplished both directly through:

publications;
media articles;
local television;
via the Education team of the Bermuda Zoological Society

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, on Sky.tv regarding climate impacts to Bermuda

2009-12-07T20:55:00.002-04:00

Dr. Ewart Brown was interviewed on Sky news network today - discussing the importance of the worlds larger countries in controlling climate change and the peril facing Bermuda's coral reefs otherwise.

See and hear Dr. Brown's inverview on Sky News at this LINK

We at BREAM are constantly assessing the condition of coral reefs, fishes and other marine animals, so that Bermuda may better manage both global and local environmental impacts to our splendid marine environment.

Conservation Services has a new WEBSITE

2009-12-04T12:39:00.002-04:00

Check it out: http://wwww.conservation.bm

Surveys of Protected Diving Areas underway

2009-12-03T13:38:00.005-04:00

The propeller of the ship wreck of the "Cristobal Colon", which is now a
Buoyed Marine Protected Area for divers near North Rock, Bermuda.

The BREAM team has been busy since mid-October braving high winds and stormy seas to survey all of the Buoyed Dive Site Protected Areas, as part of a project funded by the Department of Conservation Services, the Bermuda Zoological Society, the Atlantic Conservation Partnership, and the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Govt.

We are using the AGRRA protocol to assess the corals, other benthic animals, and fishes, and the REEF fish survey protocol to gain additional information about fishes at each location.

Yellow dots in the map above show the locations of the
Buoyed Protected Dive Sites we are presently surveying
(click image to enlarge)

This information will be added to the BREAM database which already holds data from over 160 coral reef and seagrass sites. The information we collect will allow us to monitor the ecological health of the reefs and fishes through time in each Dive Site, so we can advise Bermuda Government resource managers on the status of these important natural and cultural protected areas.

BREAM researcher Jessie Hallett, surveying hard and soft corals at the Constellation MPA.

BREAM volunteer Judie Clee, counting fish along a transect line at the Lartington MPA.

A small black grouper watches researchers swim by at the Cristobal Colon ship-wreck MPA.

The Bermuda Zoological Society's R.V. Endurance has been our main
dive boat on the MPA survey project, piloted by Capt. Tim Hasselbring
. Here it is coming in to dock at the public wharf in Mangrove Bay, Somerset.

Bermuda Sun: Renowned naturalist's voyage into Bermuda's waters

2009-10-09T15:14:00.001-03:00

10/9/2009 10:27:00 AM

Renowned naturalist's voyage into Bermuda's waters
A queen conch fish is not the kind of creature to get everyone's pulse racing.

Compared to a hump back whale, a tiger shark or a manta ray, the tiny shell-dweller barely registers a blip on the interest level of most amateur ocean explorers.

But when you've classified, described and photographed almost every known fish in the ocean, coming across something you haven't seen before is a genuine thrill.

Ned de Loach wrote the book on scuba diving - literally.

His encyclopedic 'fish identification' manuals, compiled along with Paul Humann, are bibles for divers everywhere.

A soggy well-thumbed copy of the regional edition - a consultative manual that put a name and a face to the mysterious creatures that lie beneath the ocean's surface - can be found on most dive boats around the world.

Mr. de Loach has been diving for forty years - taking pictures of sea creatures and documenting their behaviour.

The founder of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation is here with his wife Anna, also a renowned underwater naturalist, and a team of recreational divers surveying and documenting fish populations on Bermuda's reefs.

For them, the thrill is not in close encounters with the 'sea monsters' that populate those breathless Discovery Channel documentaries and dwell in the imaginations of armchair enthusiasts.

The real joy lies in the discovery of something new - like the queen conch some of the group discovered on their first trip with Triangle Diving on Sunday.

This obsession with the minutiae of marine life - with finding, naming and classifying the ocean's diverse complexities - might seem a bit like trainspotting to those who don't share the passion.

But for Mr. de Loach it is a voyage of discovery that is elemental to what it means to be human.

"To understand that you have to get a bit philosophical about it. It is a human need to understand our place in the environment, to know about the living world. We've been doing it for years, so why stop now?

"We're the first generation that has been able to swim with the fishes. We've been studying the natural world on land for eons, we're only just beginning to look at the oceans.

"People always say 'there must be some really fascinating stuff out in thousands of feet of water but I could take you out in waist deep water and show you stuff that would blow your socks off. I've been diving for 40 years and I love it just as much as I always did. Every dive I see something new. The more you know, the more you realize there is to know."

Mr deLoach is a 'rock turner' - someone who is always exploring, always looking under the next new rock to find something unique.

The group of divers he has brought with him to Bermuda are cut from the same cloth.

They are part of his REEF organization, set up to enlist recreational divers in the quest to bring order and understanding to the chaos and mystery of the underwater world.

They are here conducting fish surveys - counting and recording the variety of different species on Bermuda's reefs.

The surveys - also conducted periodically by Bermuda based volunteers - help contribute to a worldwide database which scientists and environmental planners can use to inform future policy.

The more we understand about our reefs, says Mr. DeLoach, the easier it is to protect them.

He believes Bermuda's reef system is among the healthiest in the world. And he praised the island's forward-thinking environmental policies for helping to preserve it.

But he said Bermuda could make the most of the reef as a valuable resource by doing even more to protect it.

"I haven't seen any healthier coral in the western hemisphere. The reefs in the Caribbean are degrading to the point where if you want to see a good, rich coral habitat you have to come to Bermuda. That's something worth preserving."

Bermuda looks to a 'Sustainable Fisheries Strategy'

2009-10-02T15:51:00.002-03:00

From Royal Gazette, Oct. 1st 2009 [link]

By Tricia Walters

Photo by Tricia Walters Forward thinking: Director of the Department of Environmental Protection, Dr. Fred Ming and Marine Resource Officer, Dr. Tammy Trott.

The sea is not a limitless resource, nor can it absorb any and everything we humans put in it. As the world's population grows so too does competition for limited marine resources, resulting in a cycle of adverse changes to our oceans. Some of the worst culprits are overfishing and pollution, together with emissions of excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air, which in turn raises the temperature of the ocean, while also making the seas more acidic.

A diverse array of fish species is an essential part of our aquatic environment and the health and size of our fish stocks is an indicator of environmental quality. Historically fishing was a means of survival, and while some still earn their living this way, fishing has also become a way to relax. According to a report earlier this year in the journal Science, several of the world's leading marine biologists concluded that: "If bad fishing practices continued, in a worse-case scenario all fish and seafood species worldwide will crash by 2048".

Whether this, and similar conjectures come true depends on how we respond to the biological and economic decline of fisheries. The good news is that Bermuda is changing course.

Green Pages met with the Director of the Department of Environmental Protection, Dr. Fred Ming and Senior Marine Resources Officer, Dr. Tammy Trott to talk about the Government's work on a "Sustainable Fisheries Strategy", and what this means for both commercial and recreational fishermen.

"Sustainable fishing is a global objective that has emerged over the years in recognition of diminishing stocks of economically-important species of fish," Dr. Ming explains.

With this objective in mind, fisheries scientists and conservation biologists across the globe are working together to ensure information is shared as to the health of our oceans — this includes healthy fish stocks.

Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Bermuda's Department of Environmental Protection, particularly the Marine Resources Section, Dr. Ming feels the Island is well placed to respond to the global movement. But first, he points out, existing, but outdated scientific measurements and evaluations for maximum sustainable yield need to be updated.

Bermuda has two categories of fish that are monitored. One is migratory fish, the other is reef fish.

Dr. Trott elaborates: "Migratory fish require the cooperation of everyone in the region in order to manage these resources, because these fish travel across countries' borders. The fish we get here in the spring and the fall come from other areas of the Atlantic Ocean, so a mandate was set up through a regional management body to assist in the management of these species."

This does call for the cooperation of all countries where these fish are "harvested" or caught and Dr. Trott adds: "This means conducting research so that you know when the species are found in your waters and gathering data on the amount of fish caught; however, trying to get a handle on these stocks isn't always easy."

Why? Because the Island can't account for what is caught by recreational fishermen. Dr. Ming adds that there is currently no requirement for this group to participate in data collection.

"Until we can get to that point, there will always be gaps in our statistics and understanding of what the status of stocks are that pass through our 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone", he says.

Dr. Trott agrees, adding: "A lot of recreational activity takes place for migratory species such as Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna and Marlin."

In fact, recreational fishing is on the increase in Bermuda and Dr. Ming believes that up to 30 new recreational vessels are being registered each month. With this comes an added burden on fish stocks, from both commercial fishing and recreational fishing. This in turn puts pressure on Government to manage this fragile resource.

"Research is needed, supported by legislation that will require fishers to report their catch," Dr. Ming insists. "We have legislation requiring commercial fishermen to report their catch and if they don't report their stats we can take away their license. And, we do mean business."

He adds that this year some 17 commercial fishermen received warnings of this nature and are at risk of losing their licenses.

There are currently 326 registered commercial fishermen; however, these fishermen all fish from 200 licensed commercial fishing vessels as some are boat owners and some are crew.

Dr. Ming is also concerned about the reluctance of some for the need for stricter control: "From recreational fishers and those in fishing clubs, to people who are decision makers and who want to serve the people of Bermuda and not put them 'in a box', we all want to make our lives better in Bermuda. But increasingly as the pressures grow on our limited reef system, we are coming to the point of having to change the way in which we do business."

This is where the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy comes in. Issues it will address include management of species and the ecosystem of which they are a part.

Dr. Trott elaborates that this includes doing research on potential nursery grounds and fish movement patterns.

Management of the commercial fishing sector and non-commercial fishing sector will also be addressed.

However, one area, which is of great concern to both Dr. Trott and Dr. Ming, is climate change and its effect on Bermuda's reef.

"We need to find ways to make the reef system more resilient for the species that live there," Dr. Trott points out.

As for the die-offs in reef fish over the last month and a half, Dr. Ming says: "While we are at the earliest stages of our investigations into the die-offs in reef fish over the last month and half, there is a very strong suspicion that temperature is a major driver behind the problem. Not in a direct way, but in a more indirect way in that temperature change is stressful to fish. Globally, the month of August has seen sea temperatures of more than a degree Celsius above the norm and we can't help but think that this is perhaps one of the reasons that fish died."

The investigation is ongoing, with overseas fish expert Dr. Wolfgang Vogelbein this week confirming that a variety of factors may have contributed to the fish dying off, including an unusual rise in sea temperature. (See story below)

On a final note, Dr. Ming says the feasibility of culture fisheries is also being investigated: "There has been work done on a few local species that may prove suitable for culture in commercial numbers, but Government's role will be to provide technical support for managing issues like nutrition and fish health. Our role will be supportive and the private sector will drive the growth of that new sector."

So what can you do to help? Recreational fishermen are invited to sign up for a voluntary logbook scheme, which should be launched early next year to help with research. Green Pages will notify the public before the scheme is officially launched.

From Royal Gazette: Expert warns against eating sickly fish

2009-09-30T12:57:00.001-03:00

Expert warns against eating sickly fish

By Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch

Fish Pathologist Dr. Wolfgang Vogelbein at a press conference about recent fish die-offs.

Photo: Mark Tatem

An overseas fish expert yesterday called the recent fish die-off concerning.

But he urged people to use common sense when it came to eating fish, saying the majority of those caught are safe.

Wolfgang Vogelbein is a highly regarded fish pathologist and professor of marine science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the College of William and Mary.

Dr. Vogelbein said: "It's always the big question, 'are the fish safe to eat?' I think common sense should be used. People who fish know what a healthy fish looks like.

"Those are safe to eat. But a fish which has ulcers on it [such as a lack of scales and blood on the skin] should not be."

He added that he enjoyed rockfish for lunch yesterday.

But he said the die-off was concerning as it shed light on a variety of environmental factors, as well an infection, that appeared to be causing the die-off.

Dr. Vogelbein has been on the Island since Friday collecting samples of the dead fish which he will study in his US laboratory.

The study, and its findings, may take years to complete as there are a variety of factors which must be investigated.

He said there seemed to be environmental factors leading to the death of the fish but added: "Some of the fish are showing skin ulcers and some of the fish are also showing signs of infections in their gills.

"There appears to be an organism playing a role. We have been able to isolate some bacterial organism."

Dr. Vogelbein also said that a weakened immune system due to high water temperatures could be causing fish to react negatively to bacteria regularly found in the ocean.

Dr. Fred Mind, the Government's Director of Environmental Protection, added that we appear to be at the tail end of the die off and only one area on the South Shore continues to see a small amount of fishing being impacted.

He added that working with Dr. Vogelbein had been a great "learning process" and they were already setting up new ways to collect data and deal with the issue if it happens again.

Unfortunately, there were no reports of Lionfish in the die off. Lionfish are a dangerous predator which are threatening the ecosystem of Bermuda's reefs and fisheries.

Look out for this months' Green Pages, publishing on Thursday, to learn how the Government's Marine Resource Section is responding to the global movement of sustainable fishing.

Offshore Coral Husbandry for Research and Conservation Action

2009-09-21T15:37:00.006-03:00

Two coral racks located in 9-m depth, holding 20 corals each.

This close-up photo shows the wire and bar used to make the racks,
and some of the corals we are studying.

BREAM researcher Jessie Hallett is deploying juvenile corals
epoxyed to small tiles on this coral rack. Once the corals are held
on the racks for a short period to recover, they will be used in
an experiment on a nearby reef.

BREAM has built and deployed mesh racks for holding reef corals, out at our research area in the North Lagoon. We are using these racks for two reasons: (1) to carry out experiments on coral growth under different environmental and experimental conditions, and (2) to use as "holding pens" for corals in need of relocation after ship groundings, shoreline development or other human activities. Corals grow better when water flow is un-impeded, and corals placed on the racks 2 months ago seem very healthy thus far.

Breaking News: Govt. looking into cause of dead fish

2009-09-15T15:18:00.002-03:00

Royal Gazette: September 15. 2009 01:56PM

Residents are being advised not to panic over the numbers of dead fish that have washed up on Bermuda’s shores in recent weeks.

Hundreds of e-mails have been circulated by persons concerned about the die-off, with many warning against eating local fish.

Government is to hold a press conference today, however Environmental Protection director Fred Ming told The Royal Gazette: “I think it would be wise not to eat any fish that looks like it is lethargic [unresponsive] or has lesions or any signs on the body of damage. Do not eat them because we don't know what's involved.”

Dr. Ming said people should be cautious, but there is no need to panic. At this point, he doesn't discourage anyone from swimming or fishing.

“We don’t know what is causing this and what we have done is assign a team of scientists, technicians and so forth representing the department, conservation services and BIOS. We have been out on one outing and we will send people out again in the next couple of days to look for signs of algae bloom.”

Algae bloom, a rapid increase in the amount of algae in the ocean, is characterised by discolouration of the water and can often become toxic to fish and other wildlife. However, warm water temperatures and poor water quality could also be the cause, explained Dr. Ming.

For the full story see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.

BREAM team prepares for 60 ft reef surveys

2009-09-03T10:25:00.004-03:00

Rob Fisher setting up a transect line on Bermuda's forereef terrace

A fundamental impediment to marine resource management in Bermuda is the lack of critical baseline data of the benthic and fish populations present across fore-reef habitats, and within current marine protected areas of the Bermuda Platform. These reef habitats are large, covering over 300 sq. km., and of global significance as preliminary surveys indicate that the Bermuda fore-reef contains some of the healthiest coral and herbivorous fish assemblages remaining in the Western Atlantic.

As part of the BREAM mandate, and with the BZS research vessel "Endurance" and with financial assistance from the Department of Conservation Services (link), the Atlantic Conservation Partnership, and the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (link), we are going to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the entire fore-reef habitat at 10-m depth intervals across 3 depth zones, and of all spatially-bounded managed marine areas, using standardized methodologies. These new surveys will complement previous baseline surveys of the lagoon and reef crest already completed by our research team. The new information we propose to collect will be critical for the development of future marine zone management plans, and will allow Bermuda to meets its commitments as detailed in the Bermuda Environmental Charter, the Bermuda Biodiversity Action Plan, the Rio Convention on Biodiversity, and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Local resource managers will collaborate closely with our team on the project, and we will provide educational opportunities to local, UKOT and international students.

LION FISH TOURNAMENT

2009-08-17T10:35:00.002-03:00

Prior BREAM research intern Matt Strong is hosting a Lionfish Tournament next weekend:

SHOW SOME REEFSPECT AND "EAT'UM TO BEAT'UM"

Host:	GROUNDSWELL


Price:	$15 per individual & $30 per boat

Date:	Sunday, August 23, 2009
Time:	7:00am - 3:00pm
Location:	Pier 41 Marina - Dockyard

Phone:

7047413OR3314440

Lion Fish Tournament Aug 23rd

JUNGLE RULES APPLY
Safely catch as many Lion fish as you can;
spear them, hook them, net them. Basically get them how ever you can legally and safely. All Lion Fish Catches accepted - no size or number limits

Tournament time:
Sun-up to 3 p.m.

SET ON AFTER at PIER 41 MARINA IN DOCKYARD
From 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Weigh-in and Awards/Prize Giving
Lion Fish- Handling, Preparation and Tasting
Big Tune by Harrington Sound...

THESE FISH ARE DANGEROUS TO HANDLE. THEY HAVE VENOMOUS SPINES. EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE HANDLING. ENTER TOURNAMENT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

We will have two information sessions and lion fish collection permit courses on Aug 15th at 11am and on Aug 18th at 7pm at BAMZ (Aquarium- Education room). These sessions are free but you will have to sign up to join in. Email matt@fantaseabermuda if you need more info or you would like to get your LION FISH Permit.

Tournament Sign up forms can be downloaded from www.reefspect.com or collected from the Fantasea Office at # 5 Albouys Point.

Please show your love for Bermuda's Marine Ecosystem by killing and eating this Fish. (sounds wrong doesn't it, but seriously this species can potentially decimate our reefs).
Show some REEFSPECT.

BREAM researcher Jessie Hallett in the Mid Ocean on July 31st

2009-08-05T19:24:00.002-03:00

Mid Ocean News link here

Published: July 31. 2009 12:00AM

How our wetlands have shrunk over past 200 years

By Alex Scrymgeour

BERMUDA has lost 57 per cent of its wetland areas in the last 200 years. With continued coastal development and people continuing to dump trash illegally at marshes and other wetland environments the problem is only getting worse.

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Last night, Jessie Hallett, a researcher with the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), gave a lecture in the main hall of the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ), discussing how marine and wetland habitats of Bermuda have changed in the past two centuries.

By comparing a 200-year-old detailed map of our reef and wetland areas to those of today she showed the impact on Bermuda's fragile environment.

Speaking with the Mid-Ocean News earlier, Ms Hallett and Dr. Thad Murdoch, head of the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping Programme (BREAM) at BZS, talked about the upcoming informative talk and the changes to Bermuda's marine and wetland ecosystem in the last 200 years.

BREAM maps the marine habitats of Bermuda and they have successfully mapped all the reefs and sea grass beds. Aerial photos were taken from planes and put into one big composite image. They then mapped the reefs and other marine environments using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) along with the photos.

Ms Hallett is comparing today's mapped reefs and wetlands to a map created 200 years ago by Thomas Hurd. From 1789 to 1797 Mr. Hurd detailed all of Bermuda's known reefs and wetlands.

"Jessie's project was funded by BZS," said Dr. Murdoch.

"The Hurd map was provided by Dr. Ed Harris of the Bermuda Maritime Museum in digital format. Thomas Hurd took eight years to map Bermuda's reefs and he used a water glass to do the mapping which made his map extremely detailed and accurate.

"It was Jessie's idea to compare the old map to the new aerial photos. Using those she compared what factors influenced change to the environment. Factors such as social or cultural play a big part in the change. The question then becomes: how can we use the knowledge to better conserve today?"

Ms Hallett also looked at the wetlands to see how they had changed. According to her research they have been dramatically changed with a staggering 57 per cent loss to the environment.

"Hurd's map had 46 wetlands and today there are only nine original ones left," stressed Ms Hallett.

"There are a couple of other ones that weren't on the Hurd map. They are thought to have have been ponds and marshlands.

"Paget Marsh is now a marsh that would have looked the same as it did in the 1600s. The restoration recently undertaken to the marsh did a great job restoring it. Anywhere flat in Bermuda was marsh before people arrived. The area adjacent to wetlands was very fertile and there were lots of farms there.

"Before proper waste disposal was introduced to Bermuda people would dump their trash in the marsh's around the island. Morgan's point American naval base would dump their trash in the marsh's as well."

The marine environment has gone through some dramatic changes of its own. North Rock is just a beacon for ships now, but 200 years ago it was an island.

Over the course of time people stationed at forts, and more recently the US Naval Air Station, would arial bomb and fire on reefs and North Rock for target practice.

"As far as the entire reef platform around Bermuda there haven't been a lot of changes except for human intervention," explained Ms Hallett.

"Clearing the ship channels did a lot of damage to the reef and we still have pollution and chemical problems.

"A lot of reefs were destroyed in ship channel creation because they didn't have the technology to make better choices. The western channels destroyed 40 hectares of reef versus the eastern Town Cut which destroyed less than a hectare of reef and land combined.

"If they ever fix up the ship channels the best option is to re-dredge St. George's Town Cut for new ship channels. Re-dredging will have far less impact to the already fragile marine environment than creating new channels elsewhere. The big issue in the west at Dockyard right now is the ships can barely fit through the existing channels."

In recent years coral and reef systems around the globe have been disappearing at an alarming rate.

Thankfully, as of right now, Bermuda has been spared the disastrous demise and we could soon be the worlds leading dive destination as our reefs are extremely healthy.

"Our reefs are thriving," said Dr. Murdoch.

"We still have parrot fish, which most places around the planet no longer have. They are protected in Bermuda.

"Also: No spear guns and no fish pots equals good for reefs. Our coral cover is great. However in contrast our grouper populations aren't great. We've wiped out our Nassau grouper population for good and our black grouper is slowly making a comeback.

"The data recovered is saying everything that can be eaten by a grouper and shark is thriving because there are no sharks or grouper left in Bermuda to eat them.

"The rest of Caribbean has taken a real hit in recent years with their reefs. In the last 30 years they have been decimated. Overfishing, bleaching from global warming, and disease have all led to their demise."

There are some simple steps people across Bermuda can take to help preserve our island environment.

With pollution and illegal dumping still at an all-time high Dr. Murdoch and Ms Hallett urge people to dispose of their trash properly.

They say conservation bodies such as Bermuda National Trust and Conservation Services are doing a great job at helping to conserve the environments and note the public has to do their part and act responsibly.

"Pollution is a huge factor to the destruction of any environment," cautioned Ms Hallett.

"The cultural thing of throwing garbage in the wetlands is still here in Bermuda even though the wetlands are improving.

"With all the costal development we should put more mangrove forests in. They are essential shelters for juvenile fish like snapper. They also protect our coast line from flooding. For the reefs the biggest threat is development, over fishing and pollution such as heavy metals from boatyards.

"Environmental impact assessment should be the first step in development of any project here in Bermuda. People need to be made more aware through education. Education is a huge factor in combatting environmental deterioration.

"With historical and eco knowledge, and new technology, we should be able to manage our environment. With all that knowledge we can protect our marine environment and protect our home."

RESCHEDULE!! BAMZ Lecture: 200 years of change: New Perspectives from Old Maps

2009-07-20T19:11:00.004-03:00

Not Monday - TUESDAY!!!!

FREE: Public Welcome

Date:	Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo - Classroom
	Flatts Village, Bermuda

Phone:	2932727
Email:	tjmurdoch@gov.bm

Come hear Jessie Hallett, BREAM researcher, describe how she used the 200 year old Hurd Map of Bermuda to determine how marine and wetland habitats of Bermuda have been changed in the past 2 centuries

Eagle Ray researcher Matt Ajemian in the news!

2009-07-09T01:09:00.002-03:00

BREAM supported research graduate student Matt Ajemian, in part funded by the Eric Clee Environmental Fund at the Bermuda Zoological Society, was in the news today!

Link to Bermuda Sun article from Wednesday July 8th

Bermuda holds secrets to the elusive Eagle Ray

Sarah Lagan
Writer/Sub-editor

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Research: Scientist Matt Ajemian (right) is assisted in the weighing of the captured Eagle Ray which is seen below being netted in to the boat. *Photos by Sarah Lagan

The Eagle Ray is a species of fish shrouded in mystery and it is one man's mission to unearth the many secrets of these enigmatic creatures from our own island.

PHD student Matthew Ajemian is visiting Bermuda from the University of South Alabama seeking an insight into the ray's movements and behavioural patterns.

He is returning to complete the next phase of his research focusing on the ray's interaction with Bermuda's Calico Clam, now scarce here but once seen in their droves.

Harrington Sound has been tapped as an ideal location for researching the Eagle Ray as it is one of the only places in the world where their numbers are abundant. The theory is their population could be on the rise.

"Sharks are top predators and rays are just below them," explained Ajemian. "There is a thinking out there that because we have removed the top level from the ecosystem - with over-fishing we have fished out sharks - that this group is starting to really explode in population.

"A lot of these species have not been studied and we have very little understanding of their ecological role. That is disconcerting because a related species to the Eagle called the Cow Nosed ray has been blamed for destroying shellfish harbours all over the States - the Eastern Oyster in the Chesapeake Bay, the Bay Scallop down in North Carolina."

"We want to get a better handle of the ecological roles of these animals because no one's ever looked at them in Bermuda and there are very few studies around the world." Ajemian explains.

His method on this trip has been to set up enclosures for the clams and rays and record the clams' mortality rates - his prediction is that the majority of predation in this area is down to the rays.

Mystery

In his final phase of research he will look at their migratory behaviour which still remains a mystery. Eagle Rays have been spotted off shore on Bermuda's seamounts but it's believed that they remain here all year round due to our temperate climes.

Ajemian said one reason Bermuda was chosen as a location is due to the efficiency of aquarium collector Chris Flook's methods of capturing the slippery species - notoriously difficult to catch.

I went along to see Flook in -action. After scouring the Sound we spotted one ray close to Trunk Island and gently pulled it in using a 'purse net'. The net, with floats up top and lead weights down below, encircles the ray and is gathered up on deck.

After a little struggle the ray was anaesthetized, weighed measured and photographed and released and a few of us jumped in the water to take some pictures.

In the water Ajemian came into fairly close contact with the ray and it appeared to jolt towards him as a warning but a gentle stroke of the belly calmed her. She glided around us for a little while before whooshing off into the distance. There was never a moment I felt threatened or uneasy by her behaviour but just in awe of her beauty and the grace of her movements.

While the ray is a creature feared by many for its deadly sting they are apparently shy of humans and therefore relatively unthreatening.

Every marine biologist's favourite song? It just might be!

2009-07-02T23:15:00.003-03:00

Summer is here and BREAM is out on the water more than ever!

2009-06-10T13:17:00.003-03:00

Jessie Hallett, BREAM Research Assistant,
exploring patch reefs in Bermuda's North Lagoon

This summer BREAM has several graduate students, funded by BZS, ACP and OTEP, taking part in a range of research projects.

Matt Ajemian, from the University of South Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, is returning for his third year of BZS-funded PhD research into the population assessment and feeding ecology of spotted eagle rays. His primary advisor is Dr. Sean Powers.

Brittany Huntington is returning for her second year of ACP-funding with her PhD project which examines patch reef ecology and interactions between parrotfish and corals. Brittany goes to the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, and is in Dr. Diego Lirman's lab.

Katherine Yates joins us for the first time, on an OTEP-funded project to survey the forereef habitats of the Bermuda platform and develop a reliminary spatial management plan for the reefs, as part of her Masters project at York University with Dr. Callum Roberts.

We are also lucky to have the assistance of Claire Grenfell, a Bermudian undergraduate who received Bda. Govt. Summer Employment funding, and who attends Queens University. Claire is helping us as a field and boat assistant.

Reef related news from IUCN

2009-05-23T12:09:00.003-03:00

Bermuda BREAM

PROTECTED SPECIES AMENDMENT ACT 2011 - updated 17th January 2012

happy holidays!

Bermuda's deeper forereef dominated by corals

Zebra Slug (Hypselodoris zebra)

Bermuda Environmental Charter

A comprehensive map of all BREAM survey sites

A list of all the data we collect when we survey a coral reef

The Official BREAM theme song!

New BREAM posters

Previous BREAM news articles in the Royal Gazette re-linked

Below are restored links to BREAM news articles in the Royal Gazette from 2000 to 2009 that were lost when the newspaper changed their website.

The Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Mapping Programme

Scientist fears for the world’s coral reefs | Bermuda NEWS

RG: Bermuda's efforts to protect sea feature in Time magazine

Report from a Mission Blue hope spot: The Sargasso Sea

BERMUDA FISHERIES REGULATIONS 2010

Eagle ray at Snakepit Buoyed MPA

The BREAM team: Waterlogged but happy after completing 30 foot surveys around Bermuda!

Summer has begun at BREAM!

Mesophotic reef surveys completed!

Happy World Oceans Day!

Fisheries Public Meetings

Deep reef surveys happening around the world

Get involved with BREAM!!!

18 deep reef sites surveyed by video array

First 5 sites surveyed at 80-120 ft depth on South Shore yesterday

30m Reef Surveys using a Video Camera Array

Fish Mortality Event

Cool winters could trigger bigger jelly fish blooms in summer

Bermuda Marine Resources Strategy 2010

BREAM - FY2009 Research Summary

RG: Bermuda can take the lead in protecting the Sargasso Sea, Cox indicates in Budget

More and more plastics in Bermuda waters and Sargasso Sea

Bermuda's Coral Reefs provide $722 million in value per year

NY Times - To save the planet - Save the Seas!

To Save the Planet, Save the Seas

Happy Holidays from the BREAM team

Photo Wednesday - Deep Blue RV Endurance

The BREAM mission

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, on Sky.tv regarding climate impacts to Bermuda

Conservation Services has a new WEBSITE

Surveys of Protected Diving Areas underway

Bermuda Sun: Renowned naturalist's voyage into Bermuda's waters

Bermuda looks to a 'Sustainable Fisheries Strategy'

From Royal Gazette: Expert warns against eating sickly fish

Offshore Coral Husbandry for Research and Conservation Action

Breaking News: Govt. looking into cause of dead fish

BREAM team prepares for 60 ft reef surveys

LION FISH TOURNAMENT

BREAM researcher Jessie Hallett in the Mid Ocean on July 31st

RESCHEDULE!! BAMZ Lecture: 200 years of change: New Perspectives from Old Maps

Eagle Ray researcher Matt Ajemian in the news!

Every marine biologist's favourite song? It just might be!

Summer is here and BREAM is out on the water more than ever!

Reef related news from IUCN

Latest News from the International Union for Conservation of Nature

www.iucn.org