Sylvia Earle Joins Seacology Expedition to Belize
In January of this year, world-famous marine biologist Sylvia Earle spent one week with fourteen members of the Seacology expedition team exploring the islands and reefs off the Central American nation of Belize. Ms. Earle, a member of Seacology's scientific advisory board, explained the intricacies of the fragile marine ecosystem of Belize to the several supporters of Seacology who joined the expedition.
"What was fascinating to all of us on the trip was not just Sylvia's extensive knowledge of and enthusiasm for all things marine, but also watching the way she interacted with the underwater creatures," said Seacology board member James Sandler. "To see a cuttlefish trustingly hover over Sylvia's outstretched hand was an amazing experience. It was like watching a loving mother reach out to caress a precious child."
Members of the Seacology expedition also visited the small island of Half Moon Caye. There, with the guidance of the Belize Audubon Society, the group visited one of the Caribbean's only red- footed booby bird rookeries.
The group was also joined by Janet Gibson of Belize. Ms. Gibson is a Seacology advisory board member and recipient of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for helping to establish one of the first marine reserves in the Western Hemisphere. She briefed the group on the current state of marine protection efforts off the islands of Belize.
On the final day of the expedition Will Maheia and Lindsay Garbutt of TIDE, a Belizean non-profit organization, made a presentation on the important role the newly established Port Honduras Marine Reserve plays in protecting the environment of southern Belize. Seacology president Ken Murdock and executive director Duane Silverstein announced that Seacology was awarding a $25,000 grant to TIDE to construct a critically needed ranger station on Abalone Caye island in the middle of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. The ranger station will help protect the threatened manatee and fish population of southern Belize.
"I was thrilled to find an abundance and diversity of life on the offshore reefs, including more than 100 kinds of fish, from tiny arrow blennies and clouds of blue chromis to the biggest, most friendly green morays I've ever met. I was also pleased to meet Seacology's team from Punta Gorda and hear encouraging news about the growing sense of caring for the natural systems, land and sea, among residents and visitors alike. It is one thing to talk about the relationship between a sound environment and a sound economy. It's another to see this common-sense principle working. In Belize, thanks in part to Seacology, it's working." - Sylvia Earle
