June-July, 2007

• Reef Clean-Up
• Yacht Moorings Deployed

Sunset Bay recently sponsored a reef clean up at Rodneys Rock and Easy Street.

Rodney's rock provided about 200 lbs of old fishing line, being a popular spot for fishermen and divers, as well as assorted garbage and two tires. Easy Street provided an old net and assorted jetsam.

Thanks Sunset Bay and thanks "Izzy's Divers."

Plan on more reef clean ups and some ReefCheck work in September.

Fifty yacht moorings were recently deployed under the Ministry of Tourisms Ecotourism Development Program in areas along the west coast.

10 were placed between Loubiere and Castle Comfort,  10 off Mero and Castaways and the remaining 30 in Portsmouth. This is to minimize the effects of anchors dragging on the seagrass habitats and reefs by visiting yachts persons, and also to generate income for the local communities for other local projects and in time, further moorings.

The moorings are all Manta Ray and are 20,000 lbs.

Dominica now has the equipment and a team to deploy Manta Ray moorings locally and regionally.

April, 2007

• Underwater Photographic Issues
• "Ranger" the SSMR Patrol Boat

Underwater photography concerns
The steady climb in divers and snorkelers to Dominica, and the steady drop in price of digital cameras in housings are giving some dive shop operators and divemasrters cause for concern. “It seems like anyone can be a photographer these days” was heard at a watersports meeting, and “the reefs are suffering from divers with new cameras and no buoyancy skills”.
Divers are asked not to harass animals, not to move them to more photogenic spots, and to avoid having themselves or their equipment bounce off the reef at all costs especially in the name of a photo.

It is not worth the cost to kill an animal through stress, harassment, or flashing lights just to say “I got the shot”. It is better to observe an animal than to stress it out. Ask any diver who cares or photographer with a conscience.

Please remember if you cant get the shot, don’t take it.
Don’t crowd “exotic” finds, take your time, these animals are fragile, take a shot on your way back to the boat instead.
Maintain neutral buoyancy wether taking photos or not.
Tuck away all hoses and gauges, be aware of where your fins are.
Watch your air, depth, and bottom time, listen to the briefing.

Patrol Boat
“Ranger” our 30ft custom SSMR patrol vessel is now housed outside the new SSMR/Marine Reserves building in Soufriere which is complete and awaiting some finishing touches, before the opening.

June, 2006

• Renovations at hospital well underway
• Hyperbaric chamber on island and awaiting port clearance

Congratulations to the following instructors completing the hyperbaric medical training course held at PMH by Dr Julian Eden of the London Hyperbaric chamber, the course was run under the auspices of the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society.

• William Lawrence (Al Dive) Additionally trained as an instructor
• Simon Walsh (Nature Island Dive)
• Michael Henry (Anchorage Dive Centre)
• Arun Madisetti (Fisheries Division) Additionally trained as an instructor
• Woody Lawrence (A.D Quatics, Assistant Instructor)
• Peter Hepp of Cabrits Dive centre attended some classes
• Dr. Fitzroy Armour (Whale Dive) Additionally trained as an instructor as well as being a certified Hyperbaric doctor.
  

Sea trials of the Marine Reserves/SSMR patrol boat are underway; it arrives in Dominica on the 15th July and will be tested by Coast guard and Wardens with full training.

Izzy has been given the task of training three interns at the Fisheries division to become an integral part of the newly formed underwater research unit. Their brief is simple:

• To train a number of college graduates (three in the first instance) to scuba dive and conduct reef assessment studies to determine the health status of the reef systems around the island.
• To increase the capacity of the FDD to conduct coastal marine research in environmental matters
• To gather data on reef health around Dominica to inform management in decision taking.
  

The interns are from the graduating class of the State college.

SSMR building:
The bids for the SSMR building are expected back at the ministry very soon, designs were finalized in May. The contracting company is expected to finish the building by the end of September 2006 in time for the new season.

Caribantic
Renovations and a general facelift at the Caribantic building in Scotts head are underway, this will produce a more user friendly and attractive building, in addition to providing some necessary facilities for visitors, such as snack bar and toilets, it will also provide space for c ticket sales into the reserve.

Champagne
Plans for a walkway along the beach at champagne has been finalized, this will enhance one of the key underwater attractions for foot and cruise visitors in the SSMR. It will also provide better access and security along the beach.

In addition to the numerous land-based hiking tours and activities, Dominica is also one of the best places on the planet to see Sperm Whales. There is a resident population of females off the deep Caribbean coast and males migrate across the Atlantic every year.

Dominica is home to 14 species of marine mammal due to the proximity of incredibly deep water so close to shore.

Dive Fest is an annual event, born in 1993, sponsored by the Dominica Watersports Association (DWA) to focus attention the sport of diving, to educate the public about scuba diving as a tourism product and possible career path, and to raise awareness about Dominica’s stunning and unique marine environment. Whale watching, wine tasting, and other sponsored events serve as a means to raise awareness, and generate income for advertising and promotion of the Dominica Watersports Association in the media and at trade shows.

Dive Fest 2007 : Bigger bolder and in your face!!!

July 6th -15th 2007
Supporting the Dominica Water Sports Association,

Dive Fest 2005 is from Friday 2nd July to Saturday 9th July 2005.

The week includes: Fundraising evening activities, booze cruises, wine tasting, discounted whale and dolphin safaris, "have a go" sessions, scuba treasure hunt, beach parties and underwater clean-ups, the list is endless!

Visit the Schedule of Events for details and photos as events unfold.

All proceeds go towards helping Dominicans become more aware of their phenomenal aquatic environment hosted of course by the Dominica Watersports Association and generous local sponsorships.

Visit this page for more information about Dive Fest through the years.

SSMR day is the only event of its kind in the region, supported annually by the Fisheries Division and donor businesses.

It is the culmination of months of grade schoool visits educating about the marine environment. Hosted by the SSMR in Soufriere it gathers students from around the country for a day of marine related activites. A school quiz, educational boat rides, and talks on the marine environment all highlight the issues facing the island and its marine habitats.

SSMR Day 2007 is scheduled for June 30th.

24th June 2006 , SSMR day played host to over 900 school children

26th June 2004
SSMR Day, now in its 11th year, will be held in the village of Soufriere. This promises to be bigger than last year's event as far as school participation.

An Annual Event
Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve Day is celebrated every year. Click here for details.