ISSUE 28 - 2019 Bionews BIONEWS ISSUE 28 Editor’S Letter Dutch Caribbean, November 2019 2 Editor’S Letter

ISSUE 28 - 2019 BIONEwS BIONEWS ISSUE 28 Editor’s Letter Dutch Caribbean, November 2019 2 Editor’s Letter

3 Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Since 2014, a new coral disease has been spreading Hurricane Maria devasted several Caribbean Management Update through the reefs of the north Caribbean. Known islands in 2017. A major relief campaign was as the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), launched to help the affected population of the 4 Presentations, Workshops and this disease appears to be fast spreading and Commonwealth of Dominica. It has now been Excursions Provide New Nature extremely lethal. In August, experts met to discuss established that in addition to emergency aid, Conservation Drive in Participants lessons learned from Florida’s management of this exotic invasive vertebrate species were introduced disease and discuss best practices for identifying to Dominica. These famous exotics now threaten 6 Emergency assistance contributes and treating infected corals for the future which the survival of endemic species and urgent action to the spread of invasive exotics has been summarized in DCNA’s Stony Coral is needed to protect them. Tissue Loss Disease Management Letter for the 7 A Critically Endangered Palm Dutch Caribbean. A recent report describes, for the first time in its Found Only on Bonaire history, the critically endangered Bonaire Palm. During the 2019 edition of the DCNA convention Although first documented in 1979, it took till 2019 9 Research Overview held on Bonaire end of October, biologists before scientists identified this palm as native from the region met to thoroughly discuss coral solely to Bonaire. With only 25 mature individuals 11 Long-Term Projects Overview restoration, the Coral Action Plan, the (citizen) remaining, conservation efforts must be taken

science platform Observation.org and the next immediately to ensure this species remains a part © Marion Haarsma Letter Brain Coral by night Editor’s photo: 15 Monitoring Overview Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) of the Bonairian landscape in the future. call for research proposals. In addition to attending 19 Monitoring & Research Wishlist presentations and workshops, the biologists from, among others, the six national parks of the Dutch 24 List of Acronyms Caribbean also went on an excursion to gain first- Enjoy! Cuban Tree Frog © Rusty Clark Cover photo: hand experience on the coral restoration work of The DCNA Team 25 Reports and Publications the Reef Renewal Foundation on Bonaire.

26 Calendar

27 Members and Contact

BioNews 28 - Content 2 3 4 5 6 ... Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Management Update

Since 2014, a new coral disease has been Symptoms share information and discuss how to best manage spreading from the reefs of Florida around the When a coral contracts SCTLD it begins with SCTLD outbreaks (GCFI, 2019). Participates north Caribbean, resulting in mass causalities of visible lesions which spread out from around the were able to work directly with leading SCTLD stony corals. Known as the Stony Coral Tissue edge. Here the coral tissue can become detached experts from Florida and learn how to properly Loss Disease (SCTLD), this disease appears or completely removed, which leaves the coral identify the disease and manage infected corals to be fast spreading and extremely lethal. structure as a bare skeleton typically becoming effectively. Florida has had positive results Experts from around the Caribbean met early covered in algae within a week (Florida DEP, treating infected corals with a variety of antibiotic August to discuss lessons learned from Florida’s 2018). SCTLD can spread rapidly, at a pace of 20- regimes; however, this is still being tested and Department of Environmental Protection 40 cm2 a day for highly susceptible coral species regulatory frameworks concerning the use of such (DEP)’s management of this disease and discuss and 5-10 cm2 a day for intermediately susceptible treatments varies between countries best practices for identifying and treating species (Martinelli, 2019). Without intervention, (Reef Resilience, 2019). infected corals. Florida has seen nearly a 100% mortality rate of infected corals with this disease (Martinelli, 2019). Protecting the Future The Disease With harsher environmental conditions stressing A new coral disease was first spotted off the Transmission corals, these species will continue to become coast of Florida in 2014. Since then, it has spread It is now believed the SCTLD is transmitted more susceptible to disease in the future. SCTLD throughout much of the north Caribbean, through direct contact and water circulation is of particular concern as it appears to be long including Mexico, Jamaica, Sint Maarten, the (Reef Resilience, 2019). To minimize its spread, lasting (present since 2014), easily spread over Dominican Republic, and the U.S. Virgin Islands officials are now recommending extreme caution a wide area, it affects a high number of slow (AGGRA, 2019). This disease is known as SCTLD for divers around infected corals, and urge divers growing, reef building species and has been seen and to date it has only been seen in stony corals to fully decontaminate their gear between dive to result in total colony mortality once infected and causes significant tissue loss within affected sites to avoid spreading the disease (Florida DEP, (Martinelli, 2019). Increasing public awareness hosts. This disease spreads fast and can have 2019). In addition, it is strongly encouraged that if and proper diving practices will be crucial for devasting affects on the reef if not treated a coral is suspected of being infected, it should be managing this disease. Researchers are continuing

immediately (Florida DEP, 2019). Dr. Andy reported to the appropriate authority immediately to test intervention methods to minimize the Photo by: © K. Neely Bruckner, Research Coordinator at Florida Keys to begin increasing public awareness and direct spread of this disease. Until this disease is better National Marine Sanctuary stated “Stony Coral intervention (Florida DEP 2019). understood, it is crucial for divers and researchers Tissue Loss Disease affects some of the slowest- to carefully track its progression. If you believe growing and longest-lived reef-building corals, Knowledge Sharing you’ve spotted an infected coral, please report its including the iconic brain corals, star corals and On August 1st of this year, a group of 22 experts location, and if possible, a photograph, to your pillar corals.” from 17 countries met in Key West, Florida to local marine park authority.

Would you like to share a news item? View the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Management Letter: Please e-mail us: [email protected] https://www.dcnanature.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SCTLDReport-Online.pdf

BioNews 28 - Content 2 3 4 5 6 ... Presentations, Workshops and Excursions Provide New Nature Conservation Drive in Participants

During the 2019 edition of the DCNA convention “It is very inspiring to see what is already being held on Bonaire end of October, biologists done on Bonaire and to learn from the experiences from the region met to thoroughly discuss coral of the other islands. It is also very insightful to learn restoration, the Coral Action Plan, the (citizen) about the available knowledge and how accessible science platform Observation.org and the next it is made through the developed methodologies.” Dutch Organization for Scientific Research Jessica Berkel (STENAPA-St Eustatius). (NWO) call for research proposals. In addition to attending presentations and workshops, the Public Lecture Creates Mixed biologists from, among others, the six national Feelings amongst Attendees parks of the Dutch Caribbean also went on an The public lecture held on Monday night caused excursion to gain first-hand experience on the mixed feelings amongst those in attendance. coral restoration work of the Reef Renewal Based on scientific standards, the status Foundation on Bonaire. of the coral reefs in the Dutch Caribbean is moderate to very unfavorable. This means that In-depth information on coral recovery urgent measures need to be taken. The main The park biologists are now better informed consideration is that the status of the coral reefs on when and how to apply coral restoration are crucial for the sustainable prosperity of the methods since the presentations and workshops islands in the long term. The willpower to take represented a unique opportunity to learn from action and prevent further decline of coral reefs each other’s knowledge and experiences. This is therefore very strong at this moment. In the newly gained knowledge will undoubtedly benefit coming years, the Dutch Caribbean Nature the work carried out on the other islands. Alliance (DCNA) will also focus on coral recovery.

During the 2019 edition of the DCNA convention on Bonaire, biologists from local organizations such as Aruba National Park Foundation, STINAPA Bonaire, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, CARMABI Curaçao, Saba Conservation Foundation, Sint Maarten Nature Foundation and EPIC, STENAPA and CNSI of Sint Eustatius were united on October 28 for a full day of Wouldworkshops. you like to share a news item? Photo by: © Skyview Bonaire Please e-mail us: [email protected]

BioNews 28 - Content 2 3 4 5 6 ... Citizens Can Help Report Plan including the Coral Action Plan that is under Animal and Plant Species development for the BES islands. The workshop Hans Verdaat presented how the free website provided a valuable platform for the participants www.DutchCaribbean.Observation.org and to give input on how to successfully implement apps could be used by the nature conservation this plan and for the other three Dutch Caribbean organisations of the Dutch Caribbean. This free islands Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten to website and free apps can be used not only by give input for possible future inter-island biologists but by all citizens to report animals and collaborations with the BES-islands. plants and is available in more than 40 languages. It is now also being translated to Papiaments. Optimization of New Research Projects The species reports by local communities are very Joseph Stuefer and Niels van den Berg from the valuable for the nature conservation organization Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to learn and protect the species on our islands. gave an update on the upcoming call for scientific For more information, contact: research proposals in the Dutch Caribbean. This [email protected] workshop also provided a valuable platform for local organizations to discuss the desired Exploring Inter-Island approach and results of research projects through Collaboration Possibilities which they can improve the management of Arjan de Groene of World Wildlife Fund nature parks and protect vulnerable areas (WWF-NL) gave a workshop on the Nature Policy and animals.

During the 2019 edition of the DCNA convention on Bonaire, Dr. Erik Meesters (WMR) gave a well-attended public talk on the status of the Dutch Caribbean reefs.

Would you like to share a news item? Presentations, Workshops and Excursions Provide New Nature Conservation Drive in Participants Please e-mail us: [email protected]

BioNews 28 - Content 2 3 4 5 6 ... Emergency assistance contributes to the spread of invasive exotics

By Matthijs P. van den Burg (Natuurhistorisch museum Madrid)

Hurricane Maria devasted several Caribbean has been spent in the Cayman Islands to reduce These species are the green iguana (Iguana islands in 2017. A major relief campaign was the invasive green iguana population. As a result, iguana) and the Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus launched to help the affected population of more attention must be paid to biosecurity septentrionalis), both of which also occur as the Commonwealth of Dominica. It has now during relief operations in the aftermath of invasive exotic species on other Caribbean been established that in addition to emergency natural disasters. islands. The main threat caused by the Cuban aid, exotic invasive vertebrate species were tree frog is its explosive growth combined introduced to Dominica. These famous exotics Spread with predation of both vertebrate and now threaten the survival of endemic species It is known that species can spread on floating invertebrate endemic species. The biggest and urgent action is needed to protect them. material that entered the sea as a result of environmental threat of the green iguana hurricanes. Due to the fact that all locations on is oppression and hybridization with the sister Biosecurity Dominica where exotics have been found are species, the Antillean iguana. This seriously In general, both exporting and importing located on or directly next to ports, researchers endangered species has already become extinct countries are responsible for preventing find this method of distribution very unlikely. on several islands after the introduction of the the spread of exotic species. Unfortunately, Two exotics also occur on nearby islands, from green iguana. Originally the Antillean iguana devastating natural disasters paralyze local which most of the relief supplies arrived. These was found on Sint Maarten but it is now extinct, governments and their economies, severely relief goods either came directly from these and on Sint Eustatius, where the population is impacting infrastructure and services. The neighboring islands, or were kept there for seriously threatened with extinction. Preventing authors of a new publication, Biological Invasions, several months at storage locations since the against invasions of non-native speices can state that during natural disaster relief efforts, Dominican ports could not handle the large also help to protect damaged and recovering the responsibility to prevent the spread of exotics amount of aid at once. environments in areas that have experienced a should lie with the assisting party / parties. natural disaster. Despite the urgency of providing rapid assistance, The invasive exotics the removal of invasive exotics will be extremely Researchers have identified the presence of costly in the long term, both physically and three exotic species, two of which have since Photo by: © Charles R. Knapp financially. For example, more than $5 million established themselves with a large population.

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BioNews 28 - Content ... 6 7 8 9 10 ... A Critically Endangered Palm Found Only on Bonaire

A recent report describes, for the first time in its Distinction from Other Palms history, the critically endangered Bonaire Palm. Although similar to it’s sister species Sabal Although first documented in 1979, it took till antillensis, clear delineations can be made based 2019 before scientists identified this palm as on appearance. For example, the Bonairian Sabal native solely to Bonaire. With only 25 mature or “Bonaire Palm” appears to be slightly taller individuals remaining, conservation efforts than its’ sister species and capable of holding up must be taken immediately to ensure this to 35 leaves at its crown. The leaves themselves species remains a part of the Bonairian are also quite different, with the Bonaire Palm landscape in the future. having more spikey, stiff leaves when compared to the S. antillensis which has more flexible leaves. A New Palm Identified In addition, the Bonaire Palm has unique scaring, A recently released publication clearly described, left from fallen leaves, which can be seen along for the first time, a unique palm species found only the entire length of the trunk. Wild Bonaire Palms on Bonaire. Sabal palms are a family of palm trees can only be found within a very small area, in the with 17 identified species (Zona, 1990, Goldman et south of the island, west of Lac Bay and north al. 2012, Griffith et al. 2017). Although these palms of the Cargill Salt flats. It’s ability to grow along have been identified in scientific literature within the limestone flats is unique to this particular the Antillean islands before, it wasn’t until 2017 palm as its sister species is more notably found that the first dedicated research was conducted along the mudstone hills, at higher elevations. Its on Bonaire (Griffith et al, 2017). Once these palms small range, coupled with the limited number of were more closely studied and compared, it soon mature individuals has earned the S. lougheediana became obvious that there was a clear distinction an IUCN Red List criteria rating of Critically between the Sabal palms on Bonaire and those Endangered. In fact, a 2018 survey identified only found on neighboring island Curacao. Thus, 25 reproductively mature individuals on the island marking the first time Sabal lougheediana was (de Freitas et al., 2019). ). It now inhabits only identified and characterized. about 20% of the land it was found on during a

Figure 1: Sabal lougheediana (illustration: Barros). A. Habit. B. Detail of leaf scar. C. Leaf. (Griffith et al., 2019)

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BioNews 28 - Content ... 6 7 8 9 10 ... previous survey conducted in 1979 by Winkelman, To serve as a beacon of hope, conservation highlighting the fact that this unique palm has efforts for the S. antillensis have seen positive a dwindling population. Conservationists are growth trends in recent years, showcasing concerned that grazing pressures from herbivores how an increased public awareness and proper are threatening the ability for the palm to environmental management can serve in repopulate (de Freitas et al., 2019). protecting these species. Clearly distinguishing these two species was an important first step in Securing a Future for the Bonaire Palm fully protecting this exclusive palm on Bonaire. To ensure this unique and important Bonaire Heightened awareness and a concerted effort Palm has a place in the future, it is important that to protect these few remaining specimens may conservation efforts be put into place to protect be all that is required to reverse this trend and it. To start, physically protecting these palms ensure this palm has a place within the Bonairian against herbivores, such as installing fencing landscape for generations to come. will give new Bonaire Palms a chance to grow. In addition, efforts to cultivate and grow additional palms in other areas can help expand its habitat and population.

Patrick Griffith and Quirijn Coolen with the Sabal Palm Photo by: © Patrick Griffith

Would you like to share a news item? A Critically Endangered Palm Found Only on Bonaire PleaseWould e-mailyou like us: to [email protected] share a news item? Please e-mail us: [email protected]

BioNews 28 - Content ... 6 7 8 9 10 ... Research Projects October 2019

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

HAS: Jilly Sarpong (student) Bats Impact of barriers in maternity caves BON Wildconscience: Fernando Simal VISR: Jafet Nassar

Birds Suitability study and reforestation of exclosures facilitating the Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrots (Amazona barbadensis) BON Echo: Julianka Clarenda

WUR: Younes Zian (student), Luuk Fleskens Birds Perception of local people on the conservation of Yellow-Shouldered Amazon Parrot BON Echo: Julianka Clarenda

Climate change Teatime4science (seagrass and mangroves http://www.teatime4science.org) BON STINAPA: Sabine Engel

WMR: Erik Meesters, Lisa Becking, Coral Reef Ecosystems Cyanobacterial mats BON Danielle de Kool (student)

Coral Reef Ecosystems Ecology and biology of the 2019 coral spawning CUR CARMABI/ Secore/ Marhaver Lab

WUR: Oliver Klokman (student) Coral Reef Ecosystems Factors effecting juvenile Diadema (longspine sea urchin) survival SAB SCF

VHL: Tessa Volbeda (student) Coral Reef Ecosystems Environments and circumstances for sea urchins to settlement SAB SCF RUG: Raven Cammenga (student) AROSSTA project - artificial reefs (reef balls) and how different shapes are performing for fish, sessile organisms and stony Coral Reef Ecosystems SAB SCF corals. HVL: Alwin Hylkema University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Mark Coral Reef Ecosystems Fluid dynamics on reefs CUR Levenstein CARMABI

Coral Reef Ecosystems Larval biology of corals and reef microbiology CUR MC: Kristen Marhaver, CARMABI

Calpoly: Hannah Rempel Coral Reef Ecosystems Parrotfishbehavior and population trends BON Dive friends Bonaire ( citizen scientist)

Naturalis: Bert W. Hoeksema ANEMOON Foundation, Bennekom, Coral Reef Ecosystems Marine biodiversity of Bonaire: a baseline survey BON The Netherlands: Godfried van Moorsel STINAPA: Caren Eckrich

BioNews 28 - Content ... 6 7 8 9 10 ... Research Projects October 2019

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

Coral Reef Ecosystems Iron limitation on Caribbean reefs CUR WUR: Mischa Streekstra, CARMABI

Environmental friendly BON, SAB Industrial Compostable Alternatives for Styrofoam (Literature study Funded by WWF-NL) WWF-NL: Arjan de Groene, Claudia Alessio alternatives EUX

BON, SAB WWF-NL: Pieter van Baren Fisheries Market & Supply Chain Analysis study (Funded by WWF-NL) EUX The Good Fish Foundation: Irene Kranendonk

BON, SAB WWF-NL: Pieter van Baren Fisheries Historical fisheries (Funded by WWF-NL) EUX Terramar Museum Bonaire: Ruud Stelten

BON, SAB WWF-NL: Pieter van Baren, Simaima Petzold, Fisheries Co-management in small scale fisheries (Literature study Funded by WWF-NL) EUX Philipp Pattberg Fisheries Testing and comparing various lionfish traps to study their potential use in a directed lionfish fishery (funded by WWF-NL) SAB SCF (SBMU): Ayumi Kuramae Izioka FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes Fish Killifish Genome Size Variability AUA BU: Nicholas Sakich STINAPA: Caren Eckrich and Roxanne-Liana Francisca Fish Shark telemetry project BON HAS: Brent Hoogervorst (student)

Marine gastropods Rearing of Karko (Strombus gigas) CUR Michiel van Nierop, CARMABI

Marine gastropods Karko (Strombus gigas) in the zone of -40 up to -60m BON WMR: Dolfi Debrot, Hans Verdaat

Microplastics EUX Stenapa: Jessica Berkel

Plants Testing effective ways to grow native plants BON Echo: Johan van Blerk

Plants Germination of seeds of indigenous trees of Curaçao CUR CARMABI: John de Freitas Plants Vegetation Christoffel Park CUR CARMABI: Erik Houtepen

Reptiles Lesser Antillean iguana nest research (funded by WWF-NL) EUX RAVON: Tim van Wagensveld, Ronald Zollinger

WUR: Mauk Westerman Holstijn (student) Sargassum Effect of sargassum brown tides on mangroves, seagrass beds and water quality in Lac Bay BON RU: Luuk Leemans

Sponges Sponge ecology and energetics CUR UvA:Meggie Hudspith, CARMABI

BioNews 28 - Content ... 6 7 8 9 10 ... Long Term Projects

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

Anthropgenic impact Anthropogenic Impact Analyses, Aruba National Park AUA FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes

Coral Reef Ecosystems Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP) (ARMS: Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures) CUR Smithsonian: Carole Baldwin

CNSI: Kimani Kitson-Walters Coral Reef Ecosystems Diadema Antillarum Population Assessment EUX VHL: Alwin Hylkema STENAPA: Jessica Berkel

Coral Reef Ecosystems Bloom dynamics of benthic cyanobacterial mats on coral reefs BON FSU: Ethan Cissell (Ph.D. student), Sophie McCoy

Coral Reef Ecosystems The role of parrotfish behavior in structuring benthic coral reef communities BON FSU: Joshua Manning (Ph.D. student), Sophie McCoy

FIU (EEL): Serena Hackerott (PhD student), Coral Reef Restoration Epigenetic responses to environmental stressors in Acropora corals, and applications to coral reef conservation BON Jose Eirin-Lopez RRFB: Francesca Virdis

NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern Coral Reef Restoration St. Maarten’s Coral Restoration Project SXM CRF

NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern Coral Reef Restoration Plant a million coral initiative (IntelliReefs) SXM SeaLagacy, Reeflife Restorationand Sea to Sky ventures

RRFB: Augusto Montbrun, Francesca Virdis SECORE Project Coral Reef Restoration Development of restoration methods for threatened Caribbean coral species BON, CUR CARMABI: Mark Vermeij Secore: Valerie Chamberland

CARMABI: Mark Vermeij Coral Reef Restoration Postsettlement dynamics of Caribbean corals & Reef restoration CUR Secore: Valerie Chamberland

University of Illonois: Amy Wagoner Johnson, Bruce Fouke, Gabriel Juarez Coral Reef Restoration Artificial structures that encourage larvae settlement and discourage the growth of competitor species CUR San Diego State University: Forest Rohwer CARMABI: Kirsten Marhaver, Mark Vermeij

Naturalis: Sander Pieterse, Hannco Bakker, Database Dutch Caribbean Species Register: Taxonomic knowledge system Dutch Caribbean (http://www.dutchcaribbeanspecies.org/) All Bert Hoeksema

BioNews 28 - Content ... 11 12 13 14 15 ... Long Term Projects

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

Naturalis: Arjen speksnijder Interstitial biodiversity Moleculair biodiversity analysis of marine communities by metabarcoding EUX ANEMOON: Niels Schrieken

Invasive species Impact of Halophila stipulacea on the availability of benthic diatoms as a food source for a commercially important deposit EUX CNSI: Johan Stapel, Kimani Kitson-Walters, Anna Maitz

Mangrove ecosystems Mangrove habitat compensation and reforestation AUA FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes

STINAPA Sabine Engel, Caren Eckrich Marine ecosystems Taxonomy and biodiversity in Lac Bay BON Ecosub: Godfried van Moorsel CEAB: Daniel Martin

Naturalis: Bert Hoeksema Marine ecosystems Marine species discoveries in the Dutch Caribbean All CNSI, CARMABI

FPNA: Sietske van der Wal Marine Park Marine Park Aruba AUA DNM: Gisbert Boekhoudt

Marine Litter Clean Coast Bonaire (Citizen science project, OSPAR methodology) BON Boneiru Duradero: Sharon Bol, Carolyn Caporusso

Plants Botanical Garden Aruba AUA FPNA: Natasha Silva

Plants Wildlife Garden Reserve AUA FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes

Naturalis: Klaas-Douwe B. Dijkstra Public Health DNA waterscan: Monitoring disease vectors in the Caribbean (mosquitoes and midges) CUR ECPHF: Teresa Leslie EUX CBHRI: Delia-Maria Goil0 (NWO DUCAMID project)

Mac & Field: Tim van Wagensveld & Stacey Mac Donald Reforestation Reforestation Project on St. Eustatius EUX STENAPA: Clarisse Buma LVV: Gershon Lopes

FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes Reptiles Behavior of the endemic Aruban Whiptail lizard AUA Eckerd College: Jeff Goessling

FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes Reptiles Boa Life History AUA Eckerd College: Jeff Goessling

BioNews 28 - Content ... 11 12 13 14 15 ... Long Term Projects

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

Uva: Jasper de Goeij, Benjamin Mueller CARMABI: Mark Vermeij PhD students: The role of sponges as key ecosystem engineers of coral reef ecosystems WUR: Misha Streekstra Sponges CUR UvA: Sarah Campana*, Meggie Hudspich*, Niklas Pumping iron: can iron availability fuel the sponge loop and affect coral reef community structure? (Misha Streekstra) Korner* * Part of the ERC project “SPONGE ENGINE — Fast and efficient sponge engines drive and modulate the food web of reef ecosystems”

Sustainability Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics AUA University of Aruba, KU Leuven

Threats and risks Are human activities (related to an oil terminal and dive tourism) a risk for ecosystem services ? EUX WUR: Diana Slijkerman

NWO Projects in the Dutch Caribbean

WUR: R.H. Wijffels, Rin Barten, Rocca Chin-on, Robin Stand-alone production of algal products for food, feed, chemicals and fuels Bioproducts BON Barten (PhD students) - Bioprospecting and directed evolution of microalgae from Bonaire Institute for Sustainable Technology: Rita Peachey

KITLV, Leiden University: Gert Oostindie Confronting Caribbean Challenges: Hybrid Identities and Governance in Small-scale Island Jurisdictions BON, SAB, (Project director) Environmental psychology - Behavioral differences between/within the BES islands when it comes to nature conservation and cultural heritage. EUX KITLV, Leiden University: Stacey Mac Donald (PhD student)

WUR: Marjolijn Christianen, Fee Smulders (PhD student) Invasive species Global defaunation and plant invasion: cascading effects on seagrass ecosystem services BON Smithsonian: Justin Campbell (coordinator Caribbean wide research project) STINAPA: Sabine Engel, Jessica Johnson

BO-projects in the Dutch Caribbean (Min LNV) BO-43-021.04-003 –Inventory corals Coral Reef Ecosystems BON, CUR WUR: Erik Meesters Includes monitoring and research of the longest coral reef time-series in the world (since 1973)

BioNews 28 - Content ... 11 12 13 14 15 ... Long Term Projects

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

AUA, BON, DCBD BO-43-021.04-001 - Expansion knowledge system Dutch Caribbean CUR, SAB, WUR (Alterra): Peter Verweij EUX, SXM

Socio-ecological connectivity of tropical coastal ecosystems: how to enhance restoration and conservation of ecosystem RU: Luuk Leemans (PhD student), Marieke van Katwijk Invasive species services ( Study on (1) carbon and nutrient fluxes between the mangroves, seagrass bed and coral reef at Lac Bay 2) the BON WUR: Marjolijn Christianen impact of Sargassum events on seagrass beds and mangroves in Lac Bay and 3) Lac Bay as a socio ecological system.)

WUR: Dolfi Debrot EUX, SAB, CNSI: Kimani Kitson-Walters Fisheries BO-43-021.04-006 - Fish stocks and fisheries Caribbean Netherlands BON PiskaBon, STINAPA SCF: Kai Wulf, Ayumi Kuramae

WUR: Erik Meesters (benthic communities), Dolfi Marine biodiversity BO-43-021.04-002 – Saba Bank – Marine biodiversity SAB Debrot, Thomas Brunel, Leo Nagelkerke (fish stocks)

WUR: Dolfi Debrot, Dick de Haan, Meike Scheidat, Marine mammals & sharks BO-43-021.04-005 – Management plan marine mammal and shark sanctuary Yarari SAB, EUX Ayumi Kuramae Izioka SCF (SBMU): Ayumi Kuramae Izioka

Marine mammals BO-43-021.04-007 –Marine mammals in the Dutch Caribbean BON, SAB, WUR: Dolfi Debrot, Dick de Haan, Meike Scheidat

WUR: Dolfi Debrot Wolfs Co.: Esther Wolfs UNESCO: Josephine Langley World Heritage nomination BO-43-021.04-004 – World Heritage nomination Bonaire National Marine Park BON DRO: Frank v Slobbe CARMABI: Mark Vermeij, John de Freitas Curacao Footprint Foundation: Leon Pors

BioNews 28 - Content ... 11 12 13 14 15 ... Monitoring Overview October 2019

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

DRO: Frank van Slobbe Birds Flamingo Abundance BON Cargill STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol

Birds Monitoring vulnerable parrot nests (remote camera sensing work) BON Echo: Julianka Clarenda, Sam Williams

FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes Birds Aruban Brown-Throated Parakeet Conservation AUA ABC: Greg Peterson

FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes Birds Aruban Burrowing Owl Conservation AUA ABC: Greg Peterson GLOW: David Johnson

Echo: Julianka Clarenda Birds Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot roost counts BON DRO: Peter Montanus, Diego Marquez STINAPA: Albert Christiaan

STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol Birds Bird Monitoring (Caribbean Waterbird Census) BON EPIC: Adam Brown

STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol Cargill Birds Tern monitoring(artificial nesting islands) BON DRO WUR: Dolfi Debrot

Echo: Julianka Clarenda BON STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol, Caren Eckrich CUR STENAPA Birds Terrestrial Bird and Habitat Monitoring SAB CNSI SXM Curassavica: Michelle da Costa Gomes EUX CARMABI: Erik Houtepen Nature Foundation: Binkie van Es

SAB STENAPA, SCF: Kai Wulf Birds Red-billed Tropicbird monitoring EUX CNSI:Would Hannah you Madden like to share a news item? Please e-mail us: [email protected] Birds Pelican monitoring SXM NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern, Saskia Werner

BioNews 28 - Content ... 11 12 13 14 15 ... Monitoring Overview October 2019

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

STINAPA: Caren Eckrich BON CARMABI: Mark Vermeij CUR SCF (SBMU): Ayumi Kuramae Izioka Coral reef ecosystems Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network SAB STENAPA: Jessica Berkel EUX NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern SXM CNSI: Johan Stapel, Kimani Kitson-Walters

Monitoring and research of the longest coral reef time-series in the world (since 1973) BON WUR: Erik Meesters, Didier de Bakker Coral reef ecosystems (Part of BO-11-019.02-022 –Inventory corals) CUR NIOZ: Fleur van Duyl, Rolf Bak

NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern Environmental Water quality testing SXM EPIC: Natalia Collier

Environmental Nutrient (phosphate, ammonium, nitrate and nitrite) monitoring of St Eustatius’ coastal waters EUX CNSI: Johan Stapel

WUR: Erwin Winter, Dolfi Debrot, Martin de Graaf AUA FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes BON Shark monitoring: STINAPA: Caren Eckrich CUR Fish -Shark sightings CARMABI: Mark Vermeij SAB - Shark Abundance, distribution and movements (tagging, acoustic telemetry) SCF(SBMU): Ayumi Kuramae Izioka, Guido Leurs SXM STENAPA: Jessica Berkel EUX NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern

Fish Spawning monitoring: Red hind surveys on Moonfish Bank SAB SCF (SBMU): Ayumi Kuramae Izioka

Fish Fish and fishery monitoring (Barracuda’s, sharks and eagle rays, tarpons, marine mammals, (fishing) boats, fisherman) BON STCB: Kaj Schut

STINAPA: Sabine Engel Hydrology Hydrology Lac Bay BON WUR: Klaas Metselaar

Echo: Julianka Clarenda Insects Bee tracking BON STINAPA: Sabine Engel, Johan Blerk

Goat and/or donkey removal: STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol -Washington Slagbaai National Park BON WUR: Dolfi Debrot Invasive species - Lac Bay area (exclusion plots) EUX DRO:Would Frank you van like Slobbe to share a news item? - Quill National Park (exclusion plots) STENAPAPlease e-mail us: [email protected]

BioNews 28 - Content ... 16 17 18 19 20 ... Monitoring Overview October 2019

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

BON STINAPA: Paulo Bertuol (50 meter traps) CUR CARMABI: Mark Vermeij Invasive species Lionfish abundance and control SXM NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern SAB SCF (SBMU): Ayumi Kuramae Izioka EUX STENAPA: Jessica Berkel

Invasive species Feral pig population assessment (trapping) BON Echo

AUA FPNA Mammals Bat monitoring BON WildConscience: Fernando Simal, Linda Garcia

Mammals Dolphin monitoring (since 1999) BON Ron Sewell

WUR: Bart Noort, Dolfi Debrot AUA SCF (SBMU): Ayumi Kuramae Izioka SAB AMMF: Angiolina Henriquez Mammals Marine Mammal Monitoring (noise loggers Saba Bank) EUX STENAPA: Jessica Berkel (sighting forms) SXM NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern (sighting forms) SCCN

Plants Monitoring of tree growth and survivorship in reforestation areas BON Echo: Julianka Clarenda

STENAPA: Clarisse Buma Lesser Antillean Iguana: Monitoring population density & removing invasive Green Iguana and hybrids Reptiles EUX RAVON: Tim van Wagensveld (Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund) UvA: Thijs van den Burg

FPNA: Giancarlo Nunes Reptiles Boa Life History AUA Eckerd College: Jeff Goessling

FPNA Reptiles Behavior of the endemic Aruban Whiptail lizard AUA Eckerd College: Jeff Goessling

BioNews 28 - Content ... 16 17 18 19 20 ... Monitoring Overview October 2019

DC CATEGORY SUBJECT ORGANIZATION(S): LEAD SCIENTIST(S) ISLANDS

STINAPA: Sabine Engel, Caren Eckrich BON Seagrass and mangrove Seagrass and mangrove monitoring WUR: Klaas Metselaar EUX ecosystems (BON: also conch and benthic fauna) NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochtern SXM CNSI: Kimani Kitson-Walters

BON STINAPA: Sabine Engel Seagrass ecosystems Seagrass restoration BESE elements WUR: Marjolijn Christianen

TurtugAruba Foundation Sea turtle monitoring: STCB: Kaj Schut -Satellite tracking AUA, BON, STCC: Sabine Berendse Reptiles -Nest monitoring CUR, SAB, STENAPA: Jessica Berkel -In water surveys (BON, CUR, SXM) EUX, SXM SCF: Kai Wulf -Fibropapillomatosis presence (BON) NFSXM: Melanie Meijer zu Schlochterns, Saskia Werner

BioNews 28 - Content ... 16 17 18 19 20 ... The Dutch Caribbean nature conservation organisations are in need for research projects on specific topics to safeguard biodiversity and promote Monitoring and Research Wishlist the sustainable management of the natural resources of the islands.

1. Coastal water quality/nutrients 2. Climate Change 4. Morphodynamics and interaction with groundwater: (near shore coastal hydrodynamics, current models): • Evaluation of the most probable effects of climate change Note: Recently during the NICO expedition researchers and sea level rise (all islands), including risk analysis in • Currents and sand transportation (and production from looked at this around Bonaire and Curaçao. coastal zones including coral reefs and recommendations Halimeda) in Lac (Bonaire) – very important to management for coastal zone management and climate proofing. of this Ramsar site. Note: HVL student has started to • Possible link to fish diseases/incidence of Fibropapillomatosis investigate this in green turtles in Lac, Lagoon and Curaçao can be used • Effects on sea turtles and their nesting beaches. to determine the linkages with water quality, pollutants • Investigate all sand producing organisms to better in sediments, etc serving as indicators, or sentinels for the • Effects of changing temperatures and hurricane understand where sand (and beaches) come from (Curaçao). health of these important ecosystems. damage on cloud forest of Saba. • Effects on beach accretion and depletion Statia and • Pollutants (oil, heavy metals, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, • Develop an effective terrestrial monitoring program potential of reef restoration/beach restoration. plastics, microbial etc) entering coastal waters (subterraneously) to enable hurricane damage and recovery assessment. from land and their effects on marine organisms (Curaçao). • Sedimentation rates (St. Maarten). • Island specific mitigation measures for climate change • Quantifying terrestrial hydrological controls on nutrient and effect (St Maarten). sediment fluxes into shallow seas (Bonaire). 5. Yarari Sanctuary • Stoichiometric aspects of nutrient enrichment on Caribbean reefs (Curaçao). • Marine mammals: aerial survey (SSS islands (Saba Bank 3. Hydrology and waters surrounding Saba, St. Maarten and • What do coral communities do “well” in places where they St. Eustatius), seasonal presence, isolation and abundance are not expected? What makes corals cope with • Mapping of groundwater levels and flows [Bonaire]. as well as seasonal migratory destination(s) and population more nutrients, warmer waters etc? (Curaçao) history of humpback and Bryde’s whales in the • Nearshore-offshore mixing (Curaçao). Dutch Caribbean. • Design of cheap but effective waste water systems (using waste to generate biomass, energy etc.) (Curaçao) • A thorough study of Simpson Bay ‘s hydrology and water • Sharks: Ecological role of Saba Bank for sharks quality, particularly related to land-based sources of (nursery for nurse sharks, tigersharks, silky sharks?). • Water quality & pollutants in sediment of Spanish Lagoon (Aruba). pollution. Identify key sources of pollution and track them back to their source (St. Maarten). • Analyze 10 year dolphin sighting database (Bonaire) • Economical and feasible waste and waste water management options (St. Maarten). • Ecological role of the Saba Bank passage (between Saba and Saba Bank) for deepwater sharks (e.g. dog fish). • Water quality testing and impacts of poor water quality on marine life (St. Maarten).

• Monitoring the sedimentation on the reefs around Saba.

6. Invasive species: 7. Birds 8. Carrying capacity/management effectiveness

• Follow up studies of impact of rats (and cats) • Migratory birds – patterns, habitat use with an • BNMP reef carrying capacity and implications for on nesting tropic birds. emphasis on nesting species (Bonaire). management (only old and dubious data available, urgent need for an update under current circumstances and • The effects of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea • Yellow shouldered parrot: how carrying capacity is influenced by management, on the native seagrasses in the area of Lac Bay, St. Eustatius ◊ Genetics of yellow shouldered parrot e.g. can carrying capacity be increased with proper and St. Maarten, and the ecological impacts (e.g on green (establish uniqueness of Bonairean Parrot as compared management. Consider also new types of recreation such turtles feeding in Lac [and Lagun], Bonaire and St. Eustatius; to Venezuelan islands). as kite surfing and assess actual effects). on conch feeding and recruitment [aggregations of juvenile conch under Halophila in Statia], sea urchins, etc.) ◊ What is the effective (i.e., breeding) population size of • Effectiveness of nature management, both marine Note: NWO funded Projects by Marjolijn Christianen (WUR) lora as compared to the total population. and terrestrial (is management having an effect and what looked at this in relation to sea turtles. Also Erik Boman management actions should be improved or instated?) (WUR) & CNSI looked at this in relation to conch. • Flamingos ◊ Ecology of the flamingos, in particular the Pekelmeer • Saba/Statia trails (effects of use, • Scaevola taccada (White inkberry/Beach naupaka) spread and flamingo sanctuary. Food availability and potential mitigation measures?) and potential impact on sea turtle nesting on Klein Bonaire. fluctuations and effects on breeding success. • Assess effectiveness of restoration efforts (e.g. reforestation, • Donkey, cat, pig population size distribution and are the right species being planted, is the focus on rare grazing impact on Bonaire. Note: Echo is working on species correct or counterproductive? Note: Echo is working a pig control programme. on this on Bonaire). Aruba would like to see reforestation of native, endangered, and key fauna supporting flora. • Management of Corallita Note: A running NWO project looked at this. • Study the difference between • Trapping lionfish in deep waters.Note: A project is cruise tourism and running by WUR and WNF on the Saba Bank. stay-over tourism regarding • Impact and potential management plans for invasive their pressure on species. This includes: monkeys, iguanas, mongoose, the terrestrial and african land snail, racoons, red eared slider (St. Maarten). marine environment, • Invasive species (size, distribution, threat management): taking into boa, rubber vine, tilapia, goats, rats, cats, dogs, consideration the cane toad (Aruba). infrastructure needed to accommodate these types of

9. Fisheries research 10. Sociological study of nature 11. DNA barcoding to monitor biodiversity perception in the community (is already running on St Eustatius by Naturalis) • Conch: vertical (depth) migration of conch. • How does the local community perceive nature and nature • Biodiversity inventory: terrestrial. • Commercial fish species: identify reproductive season conservation and to what degree do they enjoy nature, (St. Maarten and Aruba (also marine)) or peak spawning period and area and assess connectivity how might this be improved? How effective is current between islands. communication, if any, to improve enjoyment of nature in • Endemic, Endangered, and Keystone species the community and perception of the need to protect nature? (size, distribution, conservation management): Shoco • Saba Bank: (continue program), Bats (continue program), Prikichi, ◊ carrying capacity of main target species (red snappers • Sustainable tourism – perception/expectations of tourists Santanero, Cascabel (renew program), Pollinators, and lobster (also part of BO program) Feasibility of and residents as tourism grows (Bonaire). Key fauna supporting flora (Aruba). habitat restoration/artificial habitat for lobster fisheries on the Saba Bank. • Invasive species control on islands where free-roaming • Natural history Flora and Fauna distribution. livestock is a cultural norm – changing traditions in a ◊ Unused stocks: identify potential and sustainability changing world (Bonaire). of currently unused fish stocks such as diamond-back squid, swimming crabs. • Sociological/anthropological study of the cultural value 12. Improve baseline data on sharks of the endangered Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana (continue Shark research, especially shark delicatissima. How often is it caught? Perceived tagging, movement and abundance). as a delicatesse? (St. Eustatius)

• Assess the extent of current pollution from land by plastic bags, styrofoam and other plastic debris. How willing are people to change their behavior vis a vis plastic bags, and what would be needed to effectively curb the continued generation of this type of marine debris.

• Sustainable development opportunities for tourism dependant islands (St. Maarten).

BioNews 28 - Content ... 21 22 23 24 25 ... The Dutch Caribbean nature conservation organisations are in need for research projects on specific topics to safeguard biodiversity and promote Monitoring and Research Wishlist the sustainable management of the natural resources of the islands.

13. Coral reefs 16. Anthropogenic stressors:

• Which herbivores can be used to reverse coral to algal • Effects, potential mitigation measures: phase shifts? Which algae are consumed and which Off-road vehicles (Aruba). ones aren’t? (Curaçao) • Carrying capacity of (1) Off-road vehicles, • Effects of habitat fragmentation and its effect on (2) Conchi – (3)Natural Pool, Caves (Aruba). gene flow on coral reefs (Curaçao).

• The contribution of waterflow to reef health (Curaçao). • Shipping impacts to nearshore coral 17. Sargassum and Seagrass: reef environments (Bonaire). • Sargassum predictions, impacts, management (All). • GCRMN reef monitoring (St. Maarten needs • Sea grass research such as abundance, distribution and funding for long-term project). status (St. Maarten). • To battle and research the impact of stony coral tissue loss disease (St. Maarten)

• Coral restoration, as we lost about 60% of our corals or more 18. Turtles: in the last 2 years (St. Maarten). • Fibropapillomatosis in green turtles: cause, spread and severity of the disease (Bonaire, Curaçao).

14. Economic valuation of key habitats • Sea Turtle Research (St. Maarten). (St. Maarten)

Photo by: © Brenda Kirkby 19.Mangrove Restoration 15. Environmental impact assessment landfill (St. Maarten) (St. Maarten)

Additional notes:

The following are research questions from previous years and still very much valid for Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. They are mostly completed or underway on the Caribbean Netherlands’ islands but some are still valid.

Collection and evaluation of baseline data including species inventories and production/updating of habitat maps for key habitats and species including:

• Marine environments • Terrestrial environments: (coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests): ◊ Habitat maps for Aruba [habitat maps produced ◊ Habitat maps for all marine ecosystems: and ground truthed by CARMABI exist for all islands Aruba, Bonaire (windward side), Saba [done], except Aruba] Saba Bank, St Eustatius [done], St Maarten ◊ Species inventories (all islands) [Statia starting soon] ◊ Revised habitat maps for the leeward shore: Bonaire [done], Curacao [note that there are habitat ◊ Cost effective methods for assessing terrestrial maps for Bonaire and Curaçao produced by Fleur van habitat change [remote sensing is now being Duyl but these are now decades out of date. Recently proposed for monitoring] a report from WUR came out (Mücher et al. Hyperspectral Coral Reef Classification of Bonaire). During the NICO ◊ Detailed inventories and mapping expedition bathymetric data has been collected by for key ecosystems including Dr. Henk de Haas (NIOZ) for the Dutch Caribbean › Cactus habitats (Bonaire) islands but this data still needs to be analyzed. › Elfin forest (Saba) › Boven forest types (Statia)

◊ Baseline data and population dynamics (including reproductive biology and conservation ecology) for key species including: › Caribbean coot › Northern Caracara › Red bellied racer (Saba, Statia)

BioNews 28 - Content ... 21 22 23 24 25 ... List of Acronyms

AUA Aruba FSU Florida State University SCF Saba Conservation Foundation BON Bonaire FPNA Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba SECORE SECORE International, U.S.A. CUR Curaçao GLOW Global Owl Project SAB Saba Smithsonian Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History HAS HAS University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands EUX St. Eustatius STCB Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Department of Agriculture, Animal SXM St. Maarten LVV Husbandry & Fisheries, St. Eustatius STCC Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao ABC Aruba Birdlife Conservation MinLNV Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality STENAPA St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation AMMF Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation MC Marhaverlab, Curacao STINAPA National Parks Foundation Bonaire Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services BEST in Territories of European overseas MARUM MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, Bremen SU Swansea University, UK BO project Policy Supporting Research project NFSXM Nature Foundation St. Maarten TU Temple University, USA

BU Brock University, Canada Naturalis Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands UIU University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, U.S.A.

Calpoly Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Canada NEV Dutch Elasmobranch Association UC University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A CARIBSS Caribbean Speleological Society NIOZ Sea UU University of Utrecht, the Netherlands Research Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research Caribbean Research and Management CARMABI of Biodiversity Foundation NTU Nottingham Trent University, UK. UvA University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

CEAB The Blanes Centre for Advanced Studies, Spain NWO Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research VHL University of Applied Sciences VHL, the Netherlands CRF Coral Restoration Foundation RAVON Reptielen Amfibieën Vissen Onderzoek Nederland VISR Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research DCNA Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance RRFB Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire VU VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands DCBD Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database RuG University of Groningen, the Netherlands DNM Directie Natuur en Milieu, Aruba Wildconscience Wildlife Conservation, Science and Education RU Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands DRO Directorate of Spatial Planning and Development, Bonaire WNF World Wide Fund for Nature SCCN Southern Caribbean Cetacean Network EcoPro Ecological Professionals Foundation WMR Wageningen Marine Research, the Netherlands SABARC Saba Archaelogical Center ECPHF Eastern Caribbean Public Health Foundation WUR Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands EPIC Environmental Protection in the Caribbean Scripps Scripps Institution of Oceanography, U.S.A. WUR (Alterra) Wageningen Environmental Research, the Netherlands ETH ETH Zürich, Switzerland SDSU San Diego State University, U.S.A.

FIU (EEL) Florida International University Environmental Epigenetics Lab SBMU Saba Bank Management Unit ZMT Das Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung, Bremen

BioNews 28 - Content ... 21 22 23 24 25 ... These reports and publications can be found in the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Reports and Publications Overview Database (DCBD) (http://www.dcbd.nl). The DCBD is a central online storage facility for all biodiversity and conservation related information in the Dutch Caribbean.

If you have research and monitoring data, the DCNA secretariat can help you to get it housed in Below you will find an overview of the reports and publications on biodiversity related subjects in the DCBD. Please e-mail us: [email protected] the Dutch Caribbean that have recently been published.

“Brunet, T. et al. (2019). Light-regulated collective contractility in a multicellular choanoflagellate. CELL BIOLOGY”

“Crewsn S.C., Debrot, A.O. et al. (2019). The Arachnids (Arachnida) of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Caribbean Journal of Science 49(2-3), 125-140.”

“Eckert, K., Eckert, A. (2019). An Atlas of Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat for the Wider Caribbean Region. WIDECAST Technical Report No. 19. Godfrey, Illinois. 230 pages, plus electronic Appendices.”

“Haines, L.J., Coté, I.M. (2019) Homing decisions reveal lack of risk perception by Caribbean damselfish of invasive lionfish. Biological invasions 21 (5): 1657-1668.”

“Vermeij et al. (2019). Historical changes (1905-present) in catch size and composition reflect altering fisheries practices on a small Caribbean island. PLOS one 14(6): e0217589.” Photo by: © Jannie Koning

BioNews 28 - Content ... 21 22 23 24 25 ... Calendar

November

72nd Annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 4-8 Conference Dominican Republic.

Financial Sustainability Workshop, St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten 11-20 Workshop (DCNA, WNF, WolfsCompany)

15 Symposium 4th annual AcroporaNet Symposium, Texel, the Netherlands

21 Event World Fisheries Day

December

12 Conference 2nd World Marine Mammal Science Conference, Barcelona, Spain

10 Meeting Fisheries Commission BES meeting, Saba

More events to add to this calendar? Please e-mail us: [email protected]

BioNews 28 - Content ... 26 27 28 Members of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance DCNA Contact information

Address: Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Kaya Nikiboko Zuid 56 Kralendijk, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Aruba Saba Fundacion Parke Saba Conservation Foundation Contact us: Nacional Aruba +599 416 32 95 +599 717 5010 +297 585 1234 www.sabapark.org [email protected] www.arubanationalpark.org www.DCNAnature.org

Social Media facebook.com/DutchCaribbeanNatureAlliance Bonaire St. Eustasius twitter.com/DCNA STINAPA Bonaire STENAPA +599 717 84 44 +599 318 28 84 www.stinapa.org www.statiapark.org

Credits Photography: Courtesy of SHAPE Photography or Brenda S. & R. Kirkby unless otherwise Credited. Curaçao St. Maarten Concept and Design: Deviate Design. www.Deviate.Design CARMABI Nature Foundation +599 9 462 4242 +721 544 4267 www.carmabi.org www.naturefoundationsxm.org