Bio-logging II ~ St. Andrews University, Scotland June 2005  

IN THIS ISSUE
   

Bio-logging II at St. Andrews

A study on fish diversity in Seychelles

Ecofieldtrips, the classroom without walls

Global Vision International

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Whale Shark Sightings Jan-Jun 2005

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A study on fish diversity in Seychelles

A team of South African taxonomists, led by Dr. Phillip Heemstra, Curator Emeritus at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), was in Seychelles recently to study the diversity of Seychelles fishes, with the objective of updating the list of fishes from Seychelles, and better understanding the diversity of the fish community of the western Indian Ocean.

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Ecofieldtrips…the classroom without walls on a tropical island paradise!

Ecofieldtrip participants in the mangroves. Photo Bridget Hedderman

Ecofieldtrips Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore-based company, which was set up in 1997 by Bridget Hedderman to coincide with the International Year of the Reef (IYOR). Bridget has a degree in zoology and a master’s in education. Her passion for marine biology and conservation along with her keen interest in scuba diving and her desire to share her knowledge with others led to the development of the company. Ecofieldtrips employs specialist biologists to conduct a variety of fieldtrips in the wonderful un-spoilt ecosystems of South East Asia, particularly on Tioman Island on the East coast of Malaysia.

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Global Vision International in the Seychelles

Global Vision International (GVI) is a volunteer funded organisation, focussing on promoting sustainable development and conservation through local partnerships and education. GVI has been working in marine conservation in the Seychelles since June 2004, when they set up the Marine Expedition at Cap Ternay, a research centre on the shore of Baie Ternay Marine Park.

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MCSS fosters International links with Ecofieldtrips Pte. Ltd.  

In April 2005, MCSS Research Officer together with other scientist from around the world were invited to assist the Ecofieldtrip Team on Tioman Island, Malaysia. Over the course of five days, the team of 12 biologists were responsible for a total of 120 students from the Australian and Canadian International Schools .....

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The 2004-05 Turtle Nesting Season

The 2004-05 turtle nesting season was from 16 July 2004 to 15 July 2005, with most nesting activity occurring in October 2004 through to February 2005. Due to logistic issues, organisations involved in turtle monitoring usually patrol beaches during the peak nesting period only. A total of 7 beaches were monitored by MCSS, complimenting the work already being carried out by the Ministry of Environment  and Natural Resources (MENR).

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I am medically trained, I can help you!

In July 2005, the Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology (SCMRT-M<PA) funded by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), organized a 2 day course in “PADI Emergence First Response” and “DAN Oxygen Provider”. Participants included marine rangers from SCMRT, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) and Seychelles Island foundation (SIF) as well as staff from the Maritime Training Centre and MCSS. 

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Marine Invasive Species: Seychelles Baseline Survey

Following the Training workshop held in February 2005 (see MCNews Issue 2.2), international experts returned to Seychelles to co-ordinate the baseline survey for Marine Invasive Species. 

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International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) General Meeting, Seychelles

Seychelles was the venue for the 10th anniversary General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) held at the Plantation Club Hotel, South Mahé,  from the 25th to 27th April 2005. This was the third meeting of ICRI under the joint Seychelles - UK Secretariat and 75 participants attended, including MCSS representatives and local consultants. This was also the final meeting under this secretariat with the duties being handed over to the new co-chairs of Japan and Palau.

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2006 - Year of the turtle 

At the Indian Ocean South East Asia Sea (IOSEA) Turtle Agreement meeting held in April, it was announced that 2006 has been declared the "Year of the Turtle" for the IOSEA region. The official launch of the campaign will be at the next IOSEA Turtle Agreement meeting in February / March 2006 and a number of activities are being planned across the region.

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National Geographic & WWF Document World's Largest Living Freshwater Fish

News from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) indicates that fishermen in northern Thailand have caught what may be the world’s largest living freshwater fish. The 323kg Mekong giant catfish was the heaviest recorded since Thai officials started keeping records in 1981.

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