Island School 2017 - Day 2

We started off today with a briefing on safety, rules, and signals for the scuba diving planned later in the day. After a quick breakfast, we set off for the Aquaponics center to learn about the workings of their system. They taught us about the growth and breeding of the tilapia and how the ammonia from the fish waste is processed into nitrites, then nitrates, in a living filter of bacteria. The water and nitrates are pumped into tubs of water below the plants, which allow them to obtain nutrients directly from the water. Once the plants purify the water by absorbing the nitrates, the water is pumped back into the tilapia tanks, and the cycle repeats. We helped to harvest lettuce and basil, and worked to transfer tilapia from one tank to another. Catching the fish was a difficult process, and everyone got wet as they tried to catch, weigh, and transfer the fish. After lunch, we loaded up the truck with scuba gear and drove out to Hole in the Wall (a beach where a deep hole was dug in the reef in order to fit a cruise ship) to go diving. Everyone learned basic skills to use while scuba diving, and then we enjoyed the weightless feeling of breathing underwater as we dove into the crater and saw lots of fish and coral (and a ray!). We eventually carried the heavy tanks back to the truck, and as we unloaded everything back on campus, we spotted a spotted eagle ray and several southern rays, which came incredibly close to us. Everyone had some free time before dinner, so we all headed down to the beach behind our cabin to swim in the clear, warm water. Once we'd eaten, we all learned about the invasive lionfish, their impacts on the reefs, and the many efforts to stop them. Next, we dissected lionfish of our own (carefully avoiding the venomous spines) and headed back to the cabin to prepare for our camping trip tomorrow and get some sleep. (We won't be writing a blog post tomorrow because there's no wifi while camping, but check back soon after!)

                                                                                                           - Charlotte