[Coral-List] Even chickens can help save coral reefs! (Austin Bowden-Kerby)
Belize TREC
trec at hotmail.com
Fri Mar 27 17:15:25 EDT 2015
Kudos to Austin for the effort to change behaviour.
Living on a tropical island behind the second largest barrier reef in the world
it has never ceased to amaze me that people draw no connection between
the incredible marine display they see while diving or snorkelling and their
food decisions. How can an area develop tourism based on its marine life
while those tourists and locals daily eat the golden goose? Overfishing near
tourist destinations is not only unsustainable but encouraging it by eating
fish is amazing behaviour among people who intend to "take only photos
and leave only footprints" or by anyone with tourism interests. This is
where the chicken comes in. People visiting sensitive tropical areas, including
researchers, should think twice about their food choices. Our program in
Belize requests participants eat mainly chicken which we have found to be
the most environmentally friendly animal protein to raise here. Our students
sometimes revolt but if you're going to talk the talk then walk the walk.
I challenge those of us traveling and living in tropical coral reef areas to
tread lightly on the marine life that provides our calling. Please stop eating
marine products from coral reef areas unless forced to by life's circumstances.
Regards,
Ken Mattes
Kenneth C. Mattes, Ph.D.
Belize TREC Director
Tropical Research & Education Center
San Pedro, Belize
> From: coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 79, Issue 24
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:00:03 -0400
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Opening for a Contractor as the Puerto Rico DNER Coral
> Program Coordinator (Kasey Jacobs)
> 2. Reassessing Coral Reefs (Steve Mussman)
> 3. Career Opportunity - Resident Lecturer in Tropical Coastal
> Ecology (Jobs)
> 4. Methods in Ecological Genomic Analysis workshops (MEGA2015)
> (Mikhail Matz)
> 5. Even chickens can help save coral reefs! (Austin Bowden-Kerby)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:47:15 -0400
> From: Kasey Jacobs <kaseyrjacobs at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Opening for a Contractor as the Puerto Rico DNER
> Coral Program Coordinator
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID:
> <CANi6BNHcQqK09K=ePYM82abdiL+wFHVrw6xJtu3rhGLNBc_qYA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Opening for a Contractor as the DNER Coral Program Coordinator
> Fluency in Spanish and English written and oral language required
>
> The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) is
> seeking a full time, grant funded Coral Program Coordinator (CPC). The
> CPC?s responsibilities include strengthening and coordinating PR's Coral
> Reef Management Program with the Point of Contact (POC) for NOAA?s Coral
> Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) located at the Bureau of Coasts, Reserves
> and Refuges. The CPC position provides for a cohesive approach to coral
> reef management and science in Puerto Rico through assisting in the
> development and continued management of the territory?s coral reef
> initiatives.
>
> The Program Coordinator will be responsible for:
> 1. Preparing and managing applications for federal coral reef conservation
> funding that are consonant with NOAA and Puerto Rico goals, objectives and
> priorities, the Puerto Rico Local Action Strategies (LAS), Law 147 for the
> Conservation, Protection and Management of Coral Reefs and the future Coral
> Reefs Regulations;
> 2. Fostering intra- and interagency coordination and stakeholder
> collaboration for the development and implementation of coral reef
> conservation and initiatives;
> 3. Evaluating internal project proposals related to the management,
> conservation and protection of Puerto Rico?s coral reefs and recommending
> projects for the application for federal funds;
> 4. Providing management and scientific advice in the formulation of coral
> reef and associated coastal ecosystem management projects;
> 5. Providing support for NOAA?s POC in coral reef related matters;
> 6. Serving as Alternate POC at the US Coral Reef Task Force and at the All
> Island Committee.
>
> Specific Tasks:
> 1. Support the development, coordination and implementation of management
> and monitoring actions for the jurisdiction;
> 2. Development, preparation and timely submission of grant applications,
> progress reports, post award actions, final grant comprehensive reports,
> and other documents associated with the federal grants through the NOAA
> Grants Online web based application and in www.grants.gov, as needed;
> 3. Oversee and monitor progress, performance and completion of the NOAA
> funded Coral Reef Monitoring Program and all other funded coral
> conservation projects;
> 4. Become knowledgeable about the content of the documents that guide coral
> reef conservation in Puerto Rico, such as: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation
> Program Goals and Objectives, the Puerto Rico Coral Reef Management
> Priorities, An Analysis of Issues Affecting the Management of Coral Reefs
> and the Associated Capacity Building Needs in Puerto Rico, and the Puerto
> Rico Local Action Strategies, among others;
> 5. Knowledgeable and compliant with federal grant administrative
> requirements including 2 CFR 200 Part 200- Uniform Administrative
> Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards;
> the Federal Funding Opportunity for Territorial Coral Reef Conservation
> Cooperative Agreements and any other federal requirement to the coral reef
> grantees;
> 6. Gather, evaluate and submit final publishable products of each distinct
> project; request revisions from sub-grantees if necessary;
> 7. Contact, coordinate meetings and work plans, and set agendas for the
> DNER Coral Reef Committee, the Interagency Coral Reef Committee, and all
> other appropriate DNER personnel and external partners; applies to
> in-person meetings and conference calls; take minutes and distribute to
> members;
> 8. Provide management and scientific advice in the formulation of coral
> reef and associated coastal ecosystem management projects;
> 9. Coordinate and evaluate coral reef research permits and permitting
> processes related to coral reefs;
> 10. Assist and participate in activities associated with the Local Action
> Strategies (LAS);
> 11. Assist in the development and implementation of the Coral Reef
> Management Fellowship Program, including developing the fellow?s Statement
> of Work, assist in the selection process, provide oversight and support to
> the Coral Fellow, and monitor their progress;
> 12. Collaborate with external partners involved in Puerto Rico?s coral reef
> conservation efforts and foster new external partner relationships; provide
> them with information on how to apply for federal coral reef conservation
> grants;
> 13. Participating in workshops related to coral reef conservation issues;
> some local and off-island travel required for meetings or trainings;
> 14. Coordinate and collaborate with the NOAA CRCP Coral Management Liaison
> on coral reef conservation initiatives.
>
> Qualifications:
> 1. Minimum bachelor?s degree in a natural science, or natural resource
> management or policy field;
> 2. At least two (2) years of experience working in the area of natural
> resource initiatives at the local or territorial/federal government level,
> including interaction with local communities.
> 3. Fluency in Spanish and English written and oral language;
> 4. Knowledge of federal grants management;
> 5. Knowledge of Puerto Rico?s Coral Reef Initiative, local action
> strategies and associated coral reef projects, and awareness of ongoing
> conservation efforts.
> 6. Knowledge of Puerto Rico?s communities and natural resources.
>
> Compensation: $4,100 / month
> If you are interested, please send your resume to ddelgado at drna.gobierno.pr,
> to the attention of Damaris Delgado. For more information, you may call
> 787-999-2200, extension 2240.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:53:41 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
> From: Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Reassessing Coral Reefs
> To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID:
> <5308952.1427309621986.JavaMail.root at wamui-hunyo.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
>
> Dear Listers,
>
> I'm working with others to try and encourage the scuba diving industry to
> get more proactive
> with regard to it's policies on coral reef conservation. As you know, there
> has been no progress
> within the industry on addressing climate change.. That issue is and has
> been a non-starter for
> years. Now the question arises as to whether or not to even focus on that
> concern going forward.
> Many of you seem to be resigned to the fact that that ship has already
> sailed. Recent comments seem
> to indicate a shift in focus from avoidance to mitigation and adjustment to
> a new reality which envisions
> coral reefs as a manifestation of the concept of "novel ecosystems". If that
> is in fact the case, on what
> issues should the industry be focusing if and when it ever becomes willing
> to become seriously involved
> in developing effective measures designed to conserve the reefs of tomorrow
> whatever their composition
> may be? Do we shift entirely to land-based pollutants, sedimentation and
> over-fishing or do we continue
> to press for action or at least policy objectives related to sustainability
> and carbon emissions? I need input.
> Contact me off-list if necessary, but exchanging ideas openly seems
> appropriate and even beneficial.
> It would certainly be refreshing to witness a free flow of ideas.
>
> Regards,
> Steve
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:11:06 -0400
> From: "Jobs" <jobs at fieldstudies.org>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Career Opportunity - Resident Lecturer in
> Tropical Coastal Ecology
> To: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID: <004f01d0672f$7231bb10$56953130$@fieldstudies.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Program Objective:
> The central theme of The School for Field Studies (SFS) Panama study abroad
> program is "islands as a delicate system," with emphasis on the resources of
> Panama's spectacular coastal and marine environments. Students will explore
> several key interfaces: human and natural systems, terrestrial and marine
> ecosystems, and conservation and development. The goal of this undergraduate
> study abroad program is to assess the state of the archipelago's fragile
> natural habitats, define the main environmental issues, and understand the
> community goals in natural resource management. Our ultimate goal is to help
> islanders maintain balance and harmony between people and nature in this
> fragile ecosystem.
>
> Course Overview:
> The Tropical Coastal Ecology is a course that will provide fundamental
> knowledge necessary to understand the main ecological processes and
> interactions in a fragile marine island ecosystem. Basic ecological
> principles will be paired with field observation and measurement to
> understand the interdependencies of species, populations, communities and
> ecosystems in the coastal and marine environment, and with particular
> attention to the management of resources and environments for consumptive
> and non-consumptive use.
> Our studies will focus on the benthic, neritic, and on-shore coastal
> environments of Bocas del Toro with emphasis on coral reef, seagrass, and
> beach and intertidal zone, and mangrove habitats. Coastal terrestrial
> environments, such as swamps, streams and forest will also be considered for
> their interactions with the marine environment. We will also study the
> biology, ecology and behavior of important marine and coastal species in the
> area. These include the leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles, reef fish,
> lobster, and marine mammals. Finally, we will consider the impact of
> anthropogenic disturbance and global climate change to the fragile island
> ecosystem and the habitats and species upon which the livelihood and
> well-being of island residents depends.
>
> The successful candidate will provide high quality, modern and experiential
> teaching in critical environmental issues in an interdisciplinary curriculum
> and participate fully in the implementation of the program's research plan
> that addresses these issues. The publication of research results is
> critical. The successful candidate will work closely with the other program
> lecturers to deliver an interdisciplinary program through education and
> research in a field setting. Each lecturer is expected to provide high
> quality, inquiry-based teaching and will lead students in Directed Research
> projects defined in the program's research plan.
>
> Applicants are encouraged to review the course syllabi and programs
> descriptions on the SFS website: www.fieldstudies.org/panama
>
> Resident Lecturer - Duties and Responsibilities:
>
> Teaching
>
> * As part of an interdisciplinary teaching team, teach one course and
> co-teach 1/3 of a second course on undergraduate research (minimum 67
> lecture hours per semester)
> * Plan, revise, and effectively deliver a challenging, problem-based
> interdisciplinary curriculum
> * Organize lectures and prepare course materials in a timely and
> professional manner
> * Adhere to the daily academic schedule
> * Prepare, administer, and grade assignments, quizzes, mid-term and
> final examinations
> * Supervise and mentor up to 8 students in Directed Research projects
> * Actively support and counsel students on academic issues
> * Maintain records of lectures, exams, quizzes, readings, field
> experiences and homework assignments
>
>
>
> Research
>
> * Conduct designated research according to the program's research plan
> * Identify appropriate components of the program's research plan
> suitable for student Directed Research projects
> * Prepare research results for clients and partners and for
> publication and conference presentations
> * Assist in the creation and implementation of program research
> policies, priorities, budgets as required
> * Follow data management, record keeping, and reporting systems
> * Present research findings at local and international conferences
> (budget dependent)
>
>
>
> Administration
>
> * Participate in planning activities prior to the program start and in
> review and analysis following students' departure
> * Participate in training activities for new program staff prior to
> and during the program, particularly interns
> * Participate in and lead parts of the orientation and re-entry
> components of the program presented to students at the beginning and end of
> each program period
> * In cooperation with other program staff, provide day-to-day
> coordination of interns as delegated by the program director
> * Participate in resolving group management issues and student
> discipline problems
> * Participate in preparation of the final reports, academic handbook
> revisions and other required reports
> * As requested by the center director, assist with other logistical,
> group management and administrative tasks
>
>
>
> Safety & Risk Management
>
> * Take responsibility, as an individual and as a member of the program
> faculty/staff team, for the safety of all program participants
> * Participate in the review and revision of program risk assessment
> and management plans
> * Recommend and review policies and procedures needed to manage risks
> * Know the emergency procedures plan for the field station, including
> evacuation plan
> * Participate in the safety portions of the on-site orientation and
> conduct safety briefings for students and/or staff
> * Complete incident reports when appropriate and contribute to safety
> audits
> * Comply with, actively model, and enforce all SFS and center policies
> and procedures
> * Ensure that first aid certifications are kept up to date via
> periodic courses offered by SFS between program sessions
>
>
> Daily Center Life
>
> * Take meals with the students
> * On a rotating basis, take responsibility for program-specific "staff
> of the day" duties
> * Take part in, and occasionally lead community outreach, center
> upkeep projects, social and field activities
> * At the request of the Center Director, serve as caretaker for
> station during program breaks and center rentals
> * Drive standard transmission vehicles and boats as needed
> * Adhere to, actively model and enforce all SFS and center policies
> and procedures
>
>
>
> Minimum qualifications
>
>
> * Ph.D. and university-level teaching experience in Coastal or Marine
> Ecology, or related field
> * Field research experience, preferably in the fields of Invertebrate
> Ecology and Reef Fish Ecology; Tropical Coastal Zone Ecology; Marine
> Protected Areas; Coral Reef Monitoring; Marine Policy Formulation
> * Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary
> teaching and research team
> * Demonstrated upper level organizational management experience in
> such areas as project management, conducting academic and/or research
> programs, or heading environmental issue-driven projects, programs or
> organizations
> * Minimum three years' experience in university teaching
> * Knowledge of U.S. higher education system
> * Track record of research publications
> * Demonstrated commitment to environmental issues
> * Fluency in English, spoken and written; excellent command of Spanish
>
>
> Preferred Qualifications
>
> * Demonstrated experience working in collaboration with small island
> governments and communities
> * Knowledge of Caribbean island life, including culture, history, and
> governmental operations
> * Residential student group management and risk management experience
> highly desirable
> * Current First Aid certification
> * Experience living at a field station preferred
> * Scuba qualification, driver's license and boat driver's license
>
>
> Other Expectations
>
> * Willingness to work flexible hours and live on site at the field
> station with a small team of permanent staff, groups of US undergraduate
> students and visiting researchers or programs
> * Participation in all program activities
> * Represent SFS at local and international meetings and conferences
> * At all times, work to ensure good relations between the SFS and the
> local community
>
>
> Compensation/Benefits
> This is a 10 month contract position for the 2015-2016 academic year, with
> the possibility for continuance depending on successful completion of duties
> and sufficient student enrollment. Salary is dependent on experience and
> qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package and onsite room and board
> is included.
>
> Location:
> Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity and Conservation Studies - Bocas del
> Toro, Republic of Panama
>
> Reports to:
> The Center Director with support from the Office of Academic Affairs
>
> Start Date:
> On or before August 15, 2015
>
> To Apply: Submit a cover letter outlining relevant experiences and
> addressing the qualifications and expectations stated above and curriculum
> vitae online at http://fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal
> <http://fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal&a=details&jobOrd
> erID=5078964> &a=details&jobOrderID=5078964. Recommendation letters will be
> required upon request.
>
> Inquiries about the position may be directed to SFS Dean of Academic
> Programs Mark Seifert at mseifert at fieldstudies.org
>
> Equal Opportunity Employer.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:34:44 -0500
> From: Mikhail Matz <matz at utexas.edu>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Methods in Ecological Genomic Analysis workshops
> (MEGA2015)
> To: coral list <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>,
> ECOLOG-L at LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
> Message-ID: <DBD00647-0AC6-4588-B594-2770217E2259 at utexas.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Dear colleagues -
>
> We still have one seat left in each of the two workshops (2b-RAD and RNA-seq), so please let us know if you would like to take either or both.
>
> Briefly, we will be teaching RAD and RNA-seq in the first two weeks of July. As in previous years of running this workshop series, the idea is to introduce the genomically uninitiated grad students, postdocs, and faculty to the wet and dry lab techniques, and also perform some scientifically useful project that would lead to a publication with workshop participants as co-authors. Our previous workshops thus far resulted in two papers:
> http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0026914#pone-0026914-g005
> http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1755-0998.12218/full
>
> More details and how to apply:
> http://www.bio.utexas.edu/research/matz_lab/matzlab/MEGA2014.html
>
> Workshop's short flyer: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fkoitio10wwrozz/mega2015%20flyer%20v2.pdf?dl=0
>
> cheers
>
> --------
> Mikhail V. Matz
> Associate Professor
> University of Texas at Austin
> Department of Integrative Biology
> 205 W 24th ST C0990
> Austin, Texas 78712
> phone 512-992-8086 cell, 512-475-6424 lab
> fax 512-471-3878
>
>
> Lab?s website: http://www.bio.utexas.edu/research/matz_lab
> Google scholar: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=VB83XasAAAAJ&hl=en
> ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mikhail_Matz
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2015 10:48:53 +1200
> From: Austin Bowden-Kerby <abowdenkerby at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Even chickens can help save coral reefs!
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID:
> <CAL0VXCXte0dLre8xj+HTWTCGi93S7qtDs1GdHbkKU_SZhpANig at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Please consider supporting and participating in our initiative to
> support community-based MPAs presently on Global Giving.
>
> Even chickens can help save coral reefs!
>
> Poverty and a lack of alternative protein sources is directly linked
> to overfishing, which in turn leads to coral reef decline as coral
> predators become plagues and algae overgrows the reef. Reef
> degradation in turn leads to increased levels of hunger and more
> desperate acts of destructive fishing, using poisons and explosives to
> fish. Many have said that we must address food security and poverty in
> order to break this cycle of overfishing and destruction and to
> restore coral reefs where most of them are found- in the less
> developed countries.
>
> Although very small, this project is up and running, perhaps the first
> project of its kind. We can now support community-based no-take areas
> in developing countries with "Happy Chicken" poultry projects,
> replacing the protein lost during initial project establishment as
> well as preventing increased fishing pressure on the remaining fished
> reefs.
>
> We were able to provide at cost more than five thousand chicks to poor
> Fijian farmers last year. This year Vanuatu is our intended main
> target due to the recent severe cyclone (winds gusting up to
> 320Km/hr), wiping out nearly all village chickens and damaging coral
> reefs.
>
> After the Vanuatu post-cyclone focus, we are seeking coral reef
> partnership sites in Fiji and Vanuatu and the region for 2016, if any
> want to add poultry to reinforce their sites. We would also be happy
> to assist other geographic areas with startup of your own project.
>
> For more details on our project please visit Global Giving at the link below.
> On March 27th the funding portal will close on the website, but
> donations can still be accepted by contacting Global Giving.
>
> http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/happy-chickens-for-food-security-and-environment-1/
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> Austin Bowden-Kerby, PhD
> Corals for Conservation
> abowdenkerby at gmail.com
> P.O. Box 4649 Samabula, Fiji Islands
> https://www.facebook.com/C4Conservation
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009j6wb
>
> Sustainable Environmental Livelihoods Farm
> Km 20 Sigatoka Valley Road, Fiji Islands
> (679) 938-6437
> http://permacultureglobal.com/projects/1759-sustainable-environmental-livelihoods-farm-Fiji
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
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>
> End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 79, Issue 24
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