About
Caribbean
Reef Buddy
Deefer Diving are actively engaged in supporting marine conservation in Carriacou through our initiative called
CARIBBEAN REEF BUDDY
The Caribbean Reef Buddy (CRB) initiative is a volunteer based program which runs each year from May to September.
Over the following 20 weeks groups of volunteers from all over the world come to Carriacou to learn about diving, and gain some invaluable experience in coral reef protection and redevelopment.
This is achieved through out four project workstreams:
Reef & Species Monitoring
Coral Reef Monitoring using ReefCheck Protocols
Each year, we conduct reef surveys looking at the biomass of commercially important fish species as part of a fish survey. We also collect data of the composition and health of the reef substrate, as well as looking at the density of benthic species.
Apex Predator Monitoring & Lionfish Containment
This project combines two programs: Lionfish Containment and Apex Predator Monitoring, aiming to identify apex predators in our waters by using BRUVS, as well as removing invasive species to support the reef ecosystem through the containment of invasive lionfish around Carriacou.
Coral Nursery & Coral Gardening
Coral Nursery Project
Coral Gardening Project
In 2016, in association with The Nature Conservancy/UNEP, Caribbean Reef Buddy proudly launched our first coral nursery project. This was done in an effort to fast-track coral growth with the reintroduction of extinct species of corals previously widespread in the region.
It is important that when we're creating these artificial growing environments, we spend time maintaining the sites so we give the young corals the opportunity to grow and thrive. We therefore spend time in each of the nursery areas, keeping algae at bay and removing hydroids.
In an effort to combat the effects of ocean warming, the team have embarked on a large scale underwater gardening project. Through this project, we attempt to remove algae from areas where the coral is becoming stressed, as well as cultivating and cleaning the bio-rock structures we’ve been given to care for.
We’re also using Coral Watch survey methods to provide up to date data on coral bleaching, vital in understanding the ever-changing landscape.
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