NEW SPECIES GUIDE WRITTEN FOR CCC EXPEDITIONS
Added to website: 21 February 2008
Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) and Ex-Volunteer turned Project Scientist, Oliver Wood, have worked to produce a new identification guide for volunteers working on the Philippines project.
Coral reefs are one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet, supporting over 4000 species of reef dwelling fish in the Indo-Pacific region, of which 2500 are found in the Philippines. However, they are under huge threat from impacts such as habitat destruction and overfishing; which is where CCC and its volunteers come into play. With projects worldwide, CCC use volunteers, some with no scientific background, to map and assess coral reefs, in order to work towards the sustainability of natural resources and the conservation of these fragile, shrinking environments.
Volunteers are expected to learn over 100 fish, 40 corals, 25 marine algae and 60 invertebrates, including sponges, soft corals, and Crustacea, during the first 2 weeks of their expeditions prior to taking part in underwater coral reef surveys using SCUBA equipment.
Previously a number of books and guides were used to aid the teaching process, which many volunteers find a huge task; the new guide brings together these resources in a light, A5 format guide, with full colour photos and illustrations of all ‘target’ survey species and more. Having worked with over 100 volunteers whilst on site in Southern Leyte, the author has pooled together ideas and memory tricks to speed the learning process, highlighting common confusions and aide-memoires.
CCC also runs scholarship based courses for local Filipinos looking to take part in reef conservation work. The guide aims to not only help them with their work but also allow them to pass on their knowledge easily to friends, family and colleagues.
A guide for Tobago and the Caribbean will be available in the near future.
The guide is available for order on the CCC website coralcay.org and is priced at an introductory rate of £14.50 + £1.50 P&P to U.K residents, £4.50 overseas.
