Marine Science Training Handbook Last updated July 2015 i Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BELIZE .................................................... 5 1.1: A brief paleological history .......................................................................................... 5 1.2:.......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Modern Climate ................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3:.......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Conservation Importance of Belize ............................................................................................ 6 1.4:.......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park (BCMRNP) .......................................... 6 CHAPTER 2: BLUE VENTURES CONSERVATION AND THE BELIZE PROJECT .. 8 2.1:.......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Blue Ventures Conservation ......................................................................................................... 8 2.2: Belize Project .................................................................................................................... 8 2.3: Sarteneja: An Opportunity to Affect the Entire Coastline of Belize ............... 9 Conservation through Collaboration and Partnership ..................................................... 10 The Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) ......................................... 10 Wildtracks ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI) ....................................................................................... 11 The Belize Fisheries Department ............................................................................................................. 11 The Belize Forest Department .................................................................................................................. 11 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) ...................................................................................................................... 11 University of Belize ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Healthy Reefs for Healthy People ............................................................................................................ 12 Southern Environmental Association .................................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER 3: I ...................................................................................................................... 13 NTRODUCTION TO CORAL REEFS ............................................................................... 13 Coral Reefs ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Structure of Corals Reefs ............................................................................................................. 13 Where Reefs Exist ........................................................................................................................... 13 Ecosystem Interactions ................................................................................................................ 14 Coral Reefs ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Seagrass beds ................................................................................................................................................... 14 Mangroves ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 4: DISTURBANCES TO CORAL REEFS ..................................................... 16 Storms and Cyclones ...................................................................................................................... 16 Coral Bleaching................................................................................................................................ 16 Nutrient Enrichment ..................................................................................................................... 17 Overfishing and Destructive Fishing Practices .................................................................... 17 Anchor and Diver Damage ........................................................................................................... 17 CHAPTER 5: FISH BIOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION .............................................. 18 Class Osteichthyes - Bony Fish ................................................................................................... 18 Class Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes ......................................................................... 19 Introduction to fish behaviour .................................................................................................. 20 Diversity ............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Schooling ............................................................................................................................................................ 20 Territoriality ..................................................................................................................................................... 21 Colouration ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 Symbiosis ........................................................................................................................................................... 21 Reproduction, spawning and nesting ..................................................................................................... 21 Sequential hermaphroditism ..................................................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER 6: ........................................................................................................................ 22 COMMON FISH FAMILY IDENTIFICATION ................................................................ 22 Identifying fish families ............................................................................................................... 22 Scaridae – Parrotfish ..................................................................................................................... 23 Labridae – Wrasse .......................................................................................................................... 23 Pomacentridae – Damselfish ...................................................................................................... 24 Chaetodontidae – Butterflyfish .................................................................................................. 24 Pomacanthidae – Angelfish ......................................................................................................... 25 Acanthuridae – Surgeonfish........................................................................................................ 26 Serranidae – Groupers, Hamlets and Soapfish ..................................................................... 26 Balistidae – Triggerfish ................................................................................................................ 27 Monocanthidae – Filefish ............................................................................................................. 27 Lutjanidae – Snappers ................................................................................................................... 28 Haemulidae – Grunts ..................................................................................................................... 28 Scorpaenidae – Scorpionfish ...................................................................................................... 28 Carangidae – Jacks .......................................................................................................................... 29 Sphyraenidae – Barracuda .......................................................................................................... 29 Scombridae – Mackerel ................................................................................................................ 30 Elopidae - Tarpon ........................................................................................................................... 30 Gerreidae - Mojarras ..................................................................................................................... 31 CHAPTER 7: COMMON