Glovers Reef Marine Research Station

[Glovers Reef Marine Research Station]

GLOVER'S REEF MARINE RESEARCH STATION
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
P.O. Box 2310
Belize City, Belize
<glover at btl.net>

Glover's Reef atoll and marine reserve is a major component of a general
comprehensive program for coastal zone management for Belize, Central
America.  In a broad sense the reserve was established to maintain
ecological processes, preserve genetic diversity, achieve sustainable yields
of its resources through wise management of species and their habitats,
maintain natural areas for education and research and provide social, and
economic benefits through ecologically sensitive recreation and tourism.
Keenly aware of the need to protect this world class resource, the Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS) purchased the island of Middle Caye, situated at
the southern end of the atoll, for the purposes of  providing  a marine park
headquarters for the Government of Belize and to establish a marine research
field station. This facility and now provides a base of operations for park
rangers and scientists alike.

WCS's over-arching mission is to provide for the long-term conservation and
protection of Glover's Reef atoll. To accomplish this goal, WCS is working
in close collaboration with the government of Belize to develop a
coordinated research and management program for the atoll. WCS's primary
responsibility in this partnership is scientific research. In the coming
years, we hope that the research on Glover's Reef atoll will lead to a
better understanding and management of this coral reef.

The Comparative Investigations of Tropical Reef Ecosystems (CITRE) program
identified  Glover's Reef as the most preferred site  in the Caribbean for
"long-term, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional investigation of coral
reef ecosystems" (Dahl, MacIntyre & Antonius. 1974. A  comparative survey of
coral reef research sites. In:  Marie-Helene Sachet and Arthur Dahl. Atoll
Research Bulletin. 172: 37-75.). The authors reported, "In contrast to the
other reefs surveyed in the Caribbean area, Glover's Reef atoll appears to
offer the greatest variety of reef types, and the optimum reef development
in terms of population density and species diversity of reef corals and
associated organisms". In addition to Glover's Reef, Belize's extensive
barrier reef is 30 km away.

The WCS research station on Glover's Reef atoll is located on Middle Caye.
The present facility includes a ranger station, a laboratory and work area,
dining and cooking facilities (meals are provided), and housing for eight
scientists and/or students (with tents, we can handle a few more if
necessary). There are  boats, aquaria and dive air for the use of
researchers.  The station is completely self-sufficient with electricity
(110 vac) provided by a complementary system of solar power and diesel
generator. Fresh water is available through a desalination plant and
rain-water catchment. Toilet facilities are state-of-the-art pollution-free,
containment composition type.

GLOVER'S REEF MARINE RESEARCH STATION is dedicated to support of marine
research and education activities of other non-profit organizations. It
seeks to provide cost-effective facilities and services for field projects
related to these activities. Listed below is a schedule of research projects
scheduled for 1998-99, so far:

SCHEDULED 1998-99 GLOVER'S REEF MARINE RESEARCH STATION PROJECTS
(updated July 12, 1998)

Dr. Charles Acosta (party of 4)-June 10 to June 30 (Lobster & Conch biology)
Dr. Liz Graham (party of 5)-----June 17 to June 24 (Insular Archaeology)
Mr. James Azueta (party of 8)--July 4 to July 6 (Reserve Boundary Bouys)
Dr. John Godwin (party of 4)---July 8 to Aug. 12 (Reef Fish Behavior)
Mr. Peter Mumby (party of 2)---July 8 to Aug. 5 (Coral & Algal populations)
Dr Chuck Carr III (party of 5)---Aug. 5 to 9 (Research & Management Seminar)
Mr. Dllan Gomez (party of 4)---Aug. (to be det'd.)(Coral Reef Monitoring)
Dr. Tim McClanahan (party of 8)-Sept. 23 to Oct. 14(Coral & Algal Pop. Dynam.)
Dr. Dennis Thoney (party of 6)-Nov. 4 to Nov. 18 (GIS Database for Algae,
Fish & Coral)
Dr. Tim McClanahan (party of 4)-Dec. 1 to Dec 15 (Coral & Algal Pop. Dynam.)
Dr. Chris Tanner (party of 8)---Jan. 4 to Jan 18 (Chemical Ecology, Sponges
& Plants)
Dr. Dennis Thoney (party of 7)-Jan. 18 to March 15 (GIS Database for Algae,
Fish & Coral)
Dr. David Campbell (party of 10)-March 27 to Apr 2 (Field Course,
Phytosociology studies)

*****************************************************

The Wildlife Conservation Society invites any scientists or students
interested in using the GLOVER'S REEF MARINE RESEARCH STATION  to please
contact Tom Bright (see below) and visit our web site at
<www.une.edu/glover/glovindx.html>.

We look forward to assisting you in your research efforts on Glover's Reef.
Please submit as soon as possible, a project proposal (maximum 5 pages, see
attached format) to:

	Dr. Thomas J. Bright, Station Manager
	Glover's Reef Marine Research Station
	Wildlife Conservation Society
	P.O. Box 2310
	Belize City, Belize, C.A.

	Tel/Fax: 501-2-33855 in Belize City
	501-5-22153 at Middle Caye
	E-mail:  glover at btl.net

Use of the Station is solely on approval by the Wildlife Conservation
Society. Your proposal will be reviewed quickly. It is strongly recommended
that the project proposal be submitted first by E-mail, and followed up by
regular mail. We use WORD.

Researchers must also apply to the Belize Fisheries Administrator for a
research permit. The Administrator can be contacted at the following address
for details on how to apply for a research permit, and what the required
fees will be (usually about $250, plus or minus):

	Fisheries Administrator
	Department of Fisheries
	Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
	P.O. Box 148
	Belize City, Belize, C.A.

	Tel: 501-2-44552, or 501-2-32623, or 501-2-32187
	Fax: 501-2-32982
	Attention Mr. James Azueta, <species at btl.net>

Assuming approval of your project proposal, and acquisition of any required
research permits, we will accommodate your party during the time specified.
Charges will be as follows, in U. S. Dollars:

FOOD and LODGING (per person per day)
  Belize students			$10
  Other students			$30
	over one month		        $25
  Non students
     up to one month, single room	$60
       shared room			$40
     over one month,  single room	$50
       shared room			$30

BOAT USE (prices are plus fuel, gas=$3.00/gal, Diesel=$2.50)
  28 FOOT DIESEL SKIPPERED INBOARD BOAT, WITH CABIN,
    Per Hour			$40
    Half Day			$125
    Full Day			$200
    Overnight			$325
  25 FOOT SKIPPERED SKIFF, TWIN 60 HP GASOLINE OUTBOARDS
    Per Hour			$20
    Half Day			$40
    Full Day			$60

  20 FOOT SKIPPERED SKIFF, 55 HP GASOLINE OUTBOARD
    Per Hour			$15
    Half Day			$25
    Full Day			$50

ONE WAY TRANSPORT (up to 8 + gear), including fuel, between:
  BELIZE CITY and MIDDLE Caye		$325
  DANGRIGA and MIDDLE Caye		$180

DIVING
  Air fills			$4
  Tanks & weights		no charge
  Snorkeling gear		$5
	(we will rent the following only
	if your own gear breaks down):
   Regulator			$5
   BC Vest			$5

BEVERAGES
   Beer				$2.00
   Soda				$1

INTERNET (per hour)		$3
PHONE (use your calling card for long distance)

Upon approval of your project proposal, you will be billed for one fourth of
the total anticipated charges for your group's food and lodging.  When this
is paid, your reservation will be confirmed (the latest you can pay the
deposit is 30 days prior to your project starting date). Prepayment of all
or part of your anticipated fees is acceptable at any time. Fees may be
deposited in a WCS bank account in the U. S., paid by check to WCS in the U.
S. through the mail, or by cash (US or Belize Dollars) or check on the
island. We will transport your party and gear by boat, at the above cost,
from the town of Dangriga or Belize City to Middle Caye and back. Or you may
make arrangements with one of the commercial boat charterers at a rather
higher cost. We can assist you in acquiring commercial charters for the purpose.

All SCUBA divers MUST be CERTIFIED for the type of diving anticipated.
Divers must have a buddy. You cannot depend on one of the island staff for
this.  Divers must bring their own regulators, dive computers, and BC vests.
All divers new to the Station will be checked out by the Station Dive Master
before being allowed to dive. Bring your Dive Log and certification card.

We look forward to a safe and productive field excursion for you at Glover's
Reef.

			Sincerely,
			TOM BRIGHT, Station Manager
******************************************************
FORMAT FOR PROJECT PROPOSAL (5 pages maximum)

TITLE:
PROJECT LEADER, Organization, phone, fax, E-mail
ABSTRACT: One or two paragraphs.
OBJECTIVE(S):
DATES REQUESTED:
METHODS: This is a very important section and should describe your intended
activities in enough detail to allow the Station Manager to determine if
your expectations can be met.
ANTICIPATED PRODUCTS OF PROJECT: Contributions to theses, research papers,
articles, published abstracts, application to management and conservation,
classroom credit, etc.?
PROJECT PERSONNEL OTHER THAN LEADER: list all other persons in your party
who will accompany you as participants in the project. Include their
functions  (co-project leader, student, technician, volunteer, etc.) and
affiliations.