From February 9-13, 2015, 23 young vibrant Bahamians were trained in the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment methods which are used to monitor the health status of coral, benthic and fish communities. Trainees included persons from The Nature Conservancy, The Bahamas National Trust, Friends of the Environment, The Department of Marine Resources, Cape Eleuthera Institute, BREEF, Dolphin Cay Atlantis, environmental consultants and Bahamian students. The training was spearheaded by Dr. Craig Dahlgren, Dr. Judith Lang (both research consultants) and Vonetta Burrows (Atlantis water features staff). All trainees were excited to participate in the training because it presented an opportunity for young Bahamian researchers to strengthen their knowledge and skills of international ecosystem monitoring methods that can to help monitor, manage and safeguard the marine environment of The Bahamas.
The newly trained researchers are eager to apply their skills and provide support to research activities scheduled to take place throughout The Bahamas!!!!
