About this project
Hello fellow kickstarters,
Due to climate change, ocean warming , acidification, pollution, and more, coral reefs all around the world are being negatively impacted and destroyed. Perhaps, one of the most striking examples of coral destruction is coral bleaching, which is occurring at faster rates (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_bleaching). The most notable example is the massive die-off of Northern Great Barrier Reef systems in Australia.
In general, few studies are conducted every year cataloguing the health of coral reefs and associated fish populations. My wife, a high-school biology teacher, and I (a PhD) wish to increase education and awareness to save our coral reefs around the planet. We both are certified scuba divers, have experience creating scientific methodologies, and have interest in underwater photography, so we thought it was a good idea to offer our services to the community trying to combat issues related to Climate Change.
Our long-term goal is to be able to go on two to three scuba dive trips per year, all around the world, taking photographic record of many dive sights all around the world. After this upcoming trip in April 2017 at Bonaire, Caribbean, we will build a website, blog and begin an advocacy campaign. We are amateurs but need help getting off the ground! We are also interested in interviewing locals and divers and better understanding the social, cultural and psychological dimensions of the local communities we come across.
Bonaire – April 8th – 16th, 2017
Bonaire is termed the "last healthy coral reef" in the Caribbean. http://www.theecologist.org/investigations/natural_world/710065/bonaire_the_last_healthy_coral_reef_in_the_caribbean.html
Therefore, it is vital to have frequent studies to assess any changes between years.
We have confirmed our airfare and hotel for Bonaire, Caribbean in April 2017 for seven days. The island has over 60 shore-based dive sites all around the island (see http://www.geographia.com/bonaire/bondiv03.htm ). Our plan is to dive at least 3 times per day on average, thus attaining 21-28 dives, or about 33-45% of all shore-based dive sites. We will develop a methodology which targets different types of coral, fish, climatic conditions and times of day. We may even sign up for some night dives. We are totally open to feedback on how best to conduct this expedition.
We will have a truck and our own dive equipment available so this funding specifically helps us with airfare, hotel, tanks, air and weight rentals.
Our dream is to give back and help climate change research. We are both concerned that the reefs maybe have 10-20 years left, so we have to get on it! We have passion for the ocean and scuba diving, and so please help to make this a reality for us!
Thank you for any assistance.
Jeff and Elizabeth
Risks and challenges
Methodology
Since Bonaire, Caribbean has over 85+ dive sights and we are available for 7 days, it is not possible to do a complete study of all dive sites. We plan on doing 7 days of diving, at least 2-4 dives per day dependent on nitrogen absorption rates. Our goal would be to cover at least 21 dives, targeting the most popular sites as well as those that are visited less regularly.
Safety
We will mitigate safety risks using our PADI certified Rescue Scuba Diver training, dive experience, and we have medical flight evacuation and insurance through Diver Alert Network (DAN). We will only dive when conditions are favorable.
We each have logged at least 75 dives.
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