THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM IS BACK IN PUAKO
February 3rd at 6 pm at the Hokuloa Church
Aquarium biologists participate in the 8th annual reef survey comparing protected and non protected areas and measuring coral health
Every winter beginning in 2009 in late January or early February, four fortunate Seattle Aquarium biologists travel to the west coast of Hawaii to conduct annual reef surveys. Centered in Puako, the sites are located in both marine protected (Puako and Old Kona Airport) and non-protected areas (Mahukona). Fish are counted from the underwater video files and the data is used to determine significant changes in species diversity or abundance over time and between protected and non-protected areas. The video data is also used to compare percent coral cover in the different reef sites and to document the relative health of the corals or percent bleaching. 2016 marks the Seattle Aquarium’s eight year partnering with Humboldt State University and Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources on these annual surveys.
Please join us February 3rd at 6 pm at the Hokuloa Church in Puako to hear about the results of the Seattle Aquarium’s coral reef research, our work with coral growth, and coral bleaching events.
A great time had by all and their presentation at the church was very informative!
Marie Addario
puako.org 