Dr. Alistair Harborne, a researcher from the University of Exeter (UK), will lead a volunteer research expedition this summer at the Cape Eleuthera Institute. The expedition will focus on Mangroves and Reefs of the Bahamas, and is hosted by Earthwatch Institute, a global environmental organization that engages people in scientific field research and education in order to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

If you would like to sign up to join the expedition, or to learn more about Earthwatch, click here.

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“Lionfish don’t wear wetsuits. We are lionfish. Therefore, we don’t wear wetsuits,” the team established while preparing tanks for an underwater lionfish counting excursion. Nobody wore the binding suits that day except for Tarzan (Avery) and Black Fingers (Jessica). An epic series of three dives were ahead of us. After deploying the experimental clod card (what we use to measure currents), we set out, growing stronger as a team and improving our skills in lionfish surveying. A total of eight lionfish were counted, ranging in sizes from seven to twenty two centimeters. We then transitioned onto land for the next day. We went to a local farmer’s market in Rock Sound to inform locals about lionfish and encourage them to try a sample of our delicious ceviche, made with fresh lionfish, tomatoes, peppers, and lime juice. At first, people were hesitant to eat the lionfish, assuming that they are poisonous. We quickly used our newfound knowledge of the species to correct that thought, showing them that the scrumptious fish only has venom in its spines, and once those spines are removed, it is just like any other fish. As a team, we decided that this is also an issue, and we need to spend more time informing the locals on how good this harmful species is to eat and how important it is to help remove it from the reefs.

~Captain Cutch and Holly Pants

Reel Fishy Jobs visited CEI to film an episode last fall– check out the video here!

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Congratulations to the Bahamas National Trust and Shelby White in the opening of the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, a 25 acre national park in Governor’s Harbour. Members from the Cape Eleuthera Foundation and Cape Eleuthera Island School community joined government officials, international botanists, Bahamian citizens and school children to celebrate the grand opening of the first national park in Eleuthera last week.  It is rewarding to witness the creation of  a sanctuary in Eleuthera which shares the common goal of sustainability through conservation, education and research. The preserve was created to “continue Leon Levy’s philanthropic legacy and to build on his vision, encouraging and supporting excellence in six broad areas: Understanding the Ancient World; Arts and Humanities; Preservation of Nature and Gardens; Brain Research and Science; Human Rights; and Jewish Culture” (Leon Levy Foundation). Continue reading →

Note from the Editor Nick Manning:

Hello to all you readers of the Island School blog. My name is Nick Manning, and as I sit here on my porch, looking out over the sea, feeling the breeze and listening to the waves, I can only imagine how much you wish you were here in my place, and I in yours. As much as I would love to be working in a crowded building, or shuffling though the masses of people who don’t seem to know how to walk at a normal speed or stop and take the time to appreciate their surroundings, I am cursed to quietly enjoy the pleasant Bahamian air, and lay out here in the sun. Anyway, I write to you all because I wanted to let you know about my job for the next few weeks. Continue reading →