Coral Reef Ecology 2021

CORAL REEF ECOLOGY CLASS 2021

This is my class, we came from all over the world (UK, Belgium, USA, Italy, Germany, Brazil) to attend the Coral Reef Ecology Course. What we didn't know when we met was that we were going to live a unique experience that would bond us forever as classmates and friends. 

I was very nervous and scared before I left on this trip, the world had become a scary place for me since Covid was "real" outside of New Zealand. I travelled through the US (LA, Boston and New York) through very packed airports and domestic flights, and made it to Bermuda and back safe and sound. I realise now that my fears were bigger than they should have been. I lived amongst Covid for a month, just like everyone else had done for the past two years, and it wasn't scary, it was normal. The world has learnt how to live with it and so could I. I returned home thinking differently, life doesn't stop ....  it actually shouldn't stop!! Covid can't stop us from living our lives to the fullest, pursuing dreams, travelling, exploring and meeting new people, but I guess that is a much longer conversation for another day, for now let's talk about my course!.

Every day for 3 full weeks we had classes, ocean swims/dives, experiments to run and calculations to be done. A regular day would start with us leaving the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science (BIOS) station at 9am to be in the water collecting samples, doing coral surveys and measuring water quality parameters. We would then get back to BIOS to have lunch and run experiments, do calculations and continue to learn all afternoon. Followed by evening classes that would normally finish around 8.30pm. Days were long, some days were even longer, as we would need to wake up before sunrise to start our photosynthesis experiments in the flumes (ask me about it next time you see me) and then stay late at night doing calculations after class, some days after 11pm. It wasn't always fun, some days were hard, especially the long days, but we were persistent and every time we went back in the water it was an opportunity to recharge batteries again (except that time we had a tropical storm that kept us inside the classroom for 3 full days). 

"Sometimes when you are in the middle of it and you are tired, you don't see the beauty of it all, but when you take a moment to take it all in then you realise how lucky you are of being there, enjoying that space and sharing it with other crazy ocean lovers like yourself. We were incredibly lucky to be there! (yes even when it takes 4 hrs to filter a water sample!)"

So what did we learn? I learnt a lot about coral and algae (reef communities), their nutrient intake, productivity,  and respiration rates; coral and algae taxonomy; calcification of corals; different methods to do coral reef surveys and experimental techniques to calculate the functioning of coral reefs and water quality.  Every day we were introduced to new techniques and concepts, and we grew in knowledge little by little, almost without noticing. Every day was different, but also the same :) We worked really hard but also laughed hard and we were amused by nature almost every day and when we had free time, we made the most of it!. 

What things did I see in Bermuda? We saw a pod of around 100 squids that swam above, under and around us and even gave us a fright when they shot ink. We also swam among hundreds of anchovies, many parrot fish that munched away algae from the reefs (you could hear them underwater munching away). We also saw anemones, snails, fire corals, sponges, trumpet fish, and jelly fish and of course beautiful corals both soft and hard and colourful algae.  I even saw a lion fish and many chubbies (fish) trying to eat the sargasso seaweed. Everything was beautiful, amazing and new. The Caribbean reef looks super different to the South Pacific reef I know. Biodiversity is not high but it's definitely a wonderful world down there. 

We were also very lucky to see glowworms after the summer full moon, which are polychaete (worms) that reproduce by releasing gametes and eggs to the water column as they bioluminisce to signal their location, exactly 56 minutes after sunset! How amazing!. We were also lucky to swim amongst algae that is bioluminescent at night and got to swim around jumping fish on the BIOS wharf that were trying to eat smaller fish. It was really one magic experience after another!  

On the weekends we were free to explore Bermuda, so we visited the famous pink sandy beaches and swam some more in its turquoise waters (in case we hadn't been enough in the water). We visited the island from corner to corner, we tasted some of the local drinks, visited some restaurants and went to a couple of bars (and a party boat too but that is a longer story). We enjoyed the sunsets and the sunrises, along the way we made friends.  We were super lucky to have shared this amazing experience together. I got inspired by the ocean once again, and want to do more, and see more and explore more!. As soon as my foot heals I will sign up for a scuba diving course! 

How did it all happen? BIOS granted me a scholarship and thirty six (36) of my friends put their hand in their pocket so I could attend the course.  Friends donated to my fundraiser, lent me their credit card so I could pay for my plane tickets, paid for my hotel and a meal in Los Angeles and/or lent me "emergency money" to have in my account if anything went wrong (besides an injured foot everything actually went great!). 

I am super grateful for this opportunity, grateful for the support all my friends and family gave me to go to Bermuda to this unforgettable experience.  So many people travelled with me to Bermuda, and I am so grateful for the love YOU gave me and for the encouragement to not let this opportunity pass. It was a very special experience that I will cherish for ever.  THANK YOU for making it happen!