Hello Everyone!
The Nassau Grouper spawning event took place on Saturday evening, February 23rd! I was on a plane flying back to the United States, however, DOE and REEF scientists were there at the site and recorded the video below. You will notice divers swimming through the water column, collecting samples. Can anyone tell me why we are doing this?
Hello Everyone!
Can you imagine what 7000 Nassau Grouper look like, all gathered together in one place? It’s an awe-inspiring sight and something I could not conceive of until I actually saw it for myself. Below are some videos that might help you to understand what an awesome sight it really is. Remember, these are big fish, many of which are 3 feet or longer!
Hello Everyone!
There are so many amazing and beautiful marine animals that make their home in the Caribbean coral reef. However, one that blows my mind every time is the Juvenile Spotted Drum. They look like something out of a fairytale. Below is a clip filmed by the amazing, Anna DeLoach. Click on the link below to see!
Juvenile-Spotted-Drum-Little-Cayman-720-unmlf3-1wj870y-zco20k
Hello Everyone,
Ok, so Nassau Grouper may not ACTUALLY be magic, but they can do some pretty magical things. This amazing fish can actually change its color, and they do it surprisingly fast. Below is a picture of the Nassau’s different colors, or what the scientists, “color phases.” Grouper can change their color for a number of reasons, such as communication and for camouflage.
Can you think of any other animals that have this unique ability?
Color Phases!
Hello Everyone!
It was so great to see you all this morning on the live-feed! As I promised, here is the video footage of our new Trident ROV.
Today on our Hangout, we mentioned that we have not yet come up with a name for our new research assistant. We were hoping that you would be able to help us come up with a fantastic name for the ROV. You can post your ideas in the comments below or you can email me at todd@reef.org
Go Grouper Moon!
Hello Everyone!
This year on the Grouper Moon Project we have a special new researcher working on the aggregation, in the form of an ROV. Below is a picture of Dr. Brice Semmens having a chat with our new ROV last month on the spawning aggregation site. What types of tasks do you think an ROV could help with on the Grouper Moon Project?
Leave your comments below!
ROV
Hello Everyone!
After 24 hours of travel, I made it to Grand Cayman last night and now I am finally here in Little. All of the Department of Environment & REEF researchers and scientists are arriving and preparing to head out to the spawning aggregation site.
In preparation for this year’s live feeds, I thought it would be good to test our FISH ID skills. Can you identify any of the following marine species, commonly found on the reef here in the Cayman Islands?
#11.a (close-up)
1a
2.
#2
3.
#3
4.
#4
5.
#5
Feel free to email your answers to me at todd@reef.org or you can leave comments directly on the blog. If you do post on the blog, please use your first name only.
Cheers!
Todd
Hello Everyone,
It was great to see some of you on the practice Hangout today. As I promised, I am posting a few photos of the unusually BIG snow storm we have had the past week. Over 23 inches has fallen at my apartment. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think!
Can’t wait to talk to you all next week!!
Go Grouper Moon!!
Todd
Snowpocolypse 2019
Hello Grouper Educators,
Here is a film we made about 7 years ago (hard to believe it was that long ago!) highlighting the Nassau Grouper’s typical behavior on it’s home reef. Dr. Semmens takes the students to a dive site called “Uncle Lucky’s” on Little Cayman where he encounters a number of Nassau and many other species of marine life. I recommend showing the film to your students before our live video feeds next week as it will give them a good comparison to the behaviors they will be seeing on the spawning aggregation sight.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Cheers!
Todd