TURKS & CAICOS AGGRESSOR
Thanksgiving 2008
Once again the Aggressor Fleet provided us with an awesome dive trip! It would be hard to beat their level of service. Our crew for the week included Captain Scott, Chef Ronnie, Patty, Lucie, Rich and Melissa ... these guys made our trip memorable ....
... and thanks Jimmy, Sage, Aaron, Donna, Laura, Mike, Jane, Randy, Melanie, Abby, Randy H., Virginia, Ken, Craig, Allison, Rob, and Katie for joining us!
This was the first Aggressor trip for a few of the divers; needless to say, "they are hooked!".
We seen all the usual reef fish and creatures including the sharks that are common to Turks and Caicos.
... a new treat for most was the Lionfish, which were quite plentiful and swimming in the open ... they were not shy, and why should they be? they have no predators in the Caribbean. However great it was to observe and photograph these beautiful fish, they have presented a great problem to the Caribbean waters.
REEF Lionfish Research Program Director, Lad Akins, is leading an expedition this month (January 2009). During the week, participants will experience first-hand the explosive expansion of this invasive species. After witnessing the lionfish invasion in the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos government is very concerned about the recent invasion into their waters and the subsequent effects on their stunning reefs and marine life. Participants on this project are conducting REEF fish surveys at prime dive sites throughout Provo to document Lionfish, as well as assist with field research. Presentations include fish identification, as well as information about the Indo-Pacific Lionfish and how it came to be established in the western Atlantic region, the Lionfish research that REEF and their partners are conducting, and what divers can do about it. Hopefully their research will come up with a solution soon. To learn more about REEF's lionfish research, go to http://www.reef.org/lionfish.
Until next time ....
S. Scott