[Coral-List] Press release: STINAPA Bonaire Sponge Transplantation Project

[Anouschka van de Ven]

STINAPA Bonaire Sponge Transplantation Project
STINAPA Bonaire is collaborating with local corporations to mitigate the
consequences of maintenance work to the commercial piers.
STINAPA and many volunteers are working together for the next couple of
months to transplant sponges at Bonaire's piers. The objective is to move
sponges growing on the pilings from construction areas (1 meter below water
surface) to areas free from construction (2 meters or deeper) in an effort
to safeguard the beauty and biodiversity of these sites while some much
needed pier renovation is carried out.
The main growth capable of reattaching itself is almost exclusively sponges,
so they are the main focus of the sponge relocation project. The sponge
relocation project began with a training session and a short presentation by
STINAPA biologists, giving biological information about sponge colonies and
logistical information about moving them.
On the first transplantation dive, 21 divers did 26 sponge transplantation
dives, mostly by volunteers and all supervised by STINAPA staff. Many of the
imperiled sponges are now safely tucked under fishing line in their new
locations and are expected to re-attach to the pilings within two months, at
which time clean-up crews will revisit the site to remove the fishing line.
Please be informed that you may see divers working on the sponges and
wearing gloves. This is allowed only under strict supervision and with
permission from STINAPA. Weekly sessions are scheduled along with extra
training sessions and volunteers are welcome! Interested parties may send an
email to nature at stinapa.org to register for this.
For more information and images please see this link:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/stinapa-bonaire/sponge-transplant-salt-pier-b
onaire/2242896862394204/

Anouschka van de Ven
Communications Coordinator

STINAPA Bonaire
Barcadera z/n
Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
T: +599 - 717 8444

mail:communications at stinapa.org
www.stinapa.org
www.facebook.com/bonaire.stinapa


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