Lionfish & Near-shore Ecology!

Today we rose to a tropical yet delicate sunrise over the horizon streaming through the palm trees.  We circled around the flagpole preparing for our second and final ‘run-swim’ of our time here.  However this run-swim quickly turned into a ‘swim-run’ as we conquered long open water channels, something we’ve never encountered.  During this exhilarating morning workout, we saw a splash out on the horizon, which drew our curiosity.  As we approached the disturbance, we were greeted by the fin of a bottle-nose dolphin. 

Once we came back, we were searching the horizon from the roof top of the dining hall and found a flock of ten massive spotted eagle rays near the shore.  As we ate our delicious breakfast on the roof, we saw them continuously circle back around the harbor.  During this time, we also observed more bottle nose dolphins breech the surface.  After the spectacle fluttered away from view, we quickly turned to our first activity of the day.  We met with the resident lionfish expert, Dr. Curtis-Quick, and discussed the lionfish invasion of the Bahamas. 

During our time with her, we conversed about the unwelcome presence they have brought to the Bahamas, as well as their history.  We also delved into how the community treats them.  We were stunned to learn that the local people will not hunt or eat them because they have fallen victim to the myth that they are poisonous, when they are really venomous and safe to eat.  We went further into their biology by conducting a dissection on two male, mature lionfish.  The first step we took was to de-spine the fish which made it safe for dissection because that is where their venom is excreted.  We also explored their tremendous mouth gape, which allows them to swallow almost anything they encounter that can be more than half their size.  They are able to expand their stomachs by 30 times to hold the unholy amount of food they consume. 

Sarah kisses the lionfish head!

After our lionfish dissection, we ventured over to lunch for another hearty, delicious meal.  Shortly after, we walked over to the boathouse for a brief discussion about near-shore ecology before we went out on the calm, wave-less ocean to see it for ourselves.  In our discussion, we talked about how the ocean is most vulnerable at the shore.  We chatted about how hurricanes, pollution, and other different stressors can lead to a trophic cascade which could potentially obliterate the ecosystems we find all throughout the ocean.  We ventured to three locations.  First, an area populated with turtle and manatee sea grass, a school of spade fish, and sponges.  Then we were off to an area filled with algae and echinoderms.  And finally, we made our way over to a patch reef where we discovered two lionfish, a moray eel, an arrow crab, and many other species of marine wildlife.  Finally we settled down after dinner with a group wrap-up on the day where we named over sixty different species we had seen today and started off our holiday festivities with the drawings of our Secret Santa.  We will be making homemade nature gifts! We are looking forward to tomorrow where we will be spending the day kayaking on the open ocean.  All in all, another fantastic day in paradise! 

- Graham & Kevin