CORAL SPAWNING PREDICTIONS BAHAMAS 2021 Graphic Design © Lily Haines / Perry Institute for Marine Science The Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub
About the Coral Innovation Hub
The Hub is located in Cape Eleuthera, The Bahamas.
The Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub (BCIH) is a center for development, implementation, and dissemination of scalable coral restoration techniques to help counteract coral reef decline. The research facility hosts Natalia Hurtado a network of integrative people, such as Research Associate | CEI &PIMS coral scientists, conservation managers,
Natalia Hurtado (B.Sc, M.Sc.) is a local stakeholders, students, and educators marine biologist who grew up in from around the world. Bogotá (Colombia), but home for her has always been tied to the sea. Her The hub's main goal is to innovate love for the sea started as a child in 1995, when she saw the wonders of restoration techniques and use scientific coral reefs for the first time. Natalia research to maintain the genetic diversity has been involved with coral reef ecol- ogy and coral restoration projects for of coral reefs and rehabilitate degraded more than 10 years. reefs at a larger scale. Natalia is currently based at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, where she is Located in South Eleuthera in The working on coral reef restoration. She Bahamas, BCIH is a collaboration between also combines research, education and outreach at The Island School. the Perry Institute for Marine Science, About the About the About The She compiled the 2021 Coral Spawn- Cape Eleuthera Institute, and The Nature Cape Eleuthera Perry Institute Nature ing Predictions for The Bahamas Institute for Marine Conservancy to help scientists, conservation Conservancy. (CEI) Science (PIMS) (TNC) non-profits, and dive organizations rehabilitate threatened coral reefs across the nation. [email protected]
2 Spawning Zones ZONE 1 for The Bahamas
Grand Bahama Bimini, Grand Bahama, ZONE 2 The Abacos, The Berry
Islands, Andros, Nassau Abaco & Paradise Island Bimini Harbour Island Berry Islands ZONE 3 Eleuthera Nassau & Eleuthera & Harbour Is- Paradise Island Cat Island land, The Exumas, Ragged Andros San Salvador Island, Long Island, Musha Exumas Conception Island Cay, Cat Island, Conception Musha Cay Port Nelson, Rum Cay Island, Port Nelson Long Island
THE BAHAMASRagged Island Crooked Island Acklins Mayaguana San Salvador, Acklins & Crooked Islands, Mayagua- Little Inagua na, Inagua Islands, Little Inagua Island Great Inagua BIMINI, GRAND BAHAMA, THE ABACOS, THE BERRY ISLANDS, ANDROS, NASSAU & PARADISE ISLAND
6 7 ELEUTHERA & HARBOUR ISLAND, RAGGED ISLAND, LONG ISLAND, MUSHA CAY, CAT ISLAND, CONCEPTION ISLAND, PORT NELSON
8 9 SAN SALVADOR, ACKLINS & CROOKED ISLANDS, MAYAGUANA, INAGUA ISLANDS, LITTLE INAGUA
10 11 NOTES
Most of the species listed are hermaphroditic broadcast spawners, meaning their polyps release both egg and sperm contained in gamete bundles. M. cav- ernosa is the only gonochoric species listed, meaning colonies release either egg or sperm
Predictions are based on previous observations in The Bahamas, Caribbean and the northern Caribbean
For monitoring dives, it is recommended to dive on the highlight dates, but spawning may occur the day before and/or after
Adjust personal watch with the local time
Find a shallow area (Max. depth: 50 feet/15 me- ters) with high coral cover, plan your dives and follow bottom times respecting no-decompression times and diving rules
It is possible to observe other reef creatures, such as soft corals, brittle stars, sea urchins, Christmas tree worms, fireworms, etc. releasing gametes, please note any spawning observations THANK YOU!
BAHAMAS CORAL INNOVATION HUB Cape Eleuthera Island School C PO Box EL-26029 Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas