Project Title: Zooplankton and Bathymetric Mapping: A New Dimension to Whale Shark Conservation
Project Contact: Steve Canty
Project Summary: The principle aim of this project is to produce accurate zooplankton composition and abundance maps for the coastal and offshore waters of Utila and superimpose this data with whale shark sightings to investigate patterns and determine key foraging areas. By examining the fluctuations and distribution of the whale sharks food source we can build a better understanding of why these animals visit Utila and so aid in their conservation and management at local and regional levels. There is increasing concern about whale shark populations globally, but without more information it is impossible to determine whether human activities or environmental changes are affecting their populations. This project also has an important educational component; staff and volunteers from UCME will work in conjunction with teachers to provide environmentally orientated presentations and field trips to discover more about the marine environment that surrounds them.

Project Title: Conserving Parrotfish as Keystone Species
Project Contact: George Stoyle
Project Summary: Recent research* suggests that the resilience of coral reefs against algal dominance is maintained by certain key reef species such as parrotfish. Parrotfish remove algae from reefs, limiting their cover and creating space for coral settlement and growth. As local fishing pressure increasingly targets parrotfish species their essential function as algal removers' decreases. Crucially there is likely to be a minimum threshold of parrotfish abundance below which algae may dominate over corals. Once this tipping point has been reached, it is very difficult for coral dominance to be restored and consequently the best option is to prevent these phase shifts from occurring. Whilst the degradation of Caribbean coral reefs has been well documented over the last 3 decades, the processes that underpin phase shifts and methods for their prevention are still not clearly understood. This project aims to build on work previously undertaken by the applicant on the functional roles of parrotfish grazing and combine it with a new socioeconomic approach to quantify current levels of parrotfish removal and also demonstrate the role of parrotfish in maintaining the economic value of coral reefs.