Day 9: Turtle Rock, Hol Chan and Shark-Ray Alley
After taking a break from snorkeling yesterday and our trip to the mainland, it was back in the water this morning with stops at Turtle Rock, Hol Chan (for the second time) and then on to Shark-Ray Alley. Turtle Rock is a location used by local fisherman to clean their catch. The scrapings attract a lot of fish and other marine life, including a large Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Hol Chan was once again an impressive sight with schools of large jack, snapper, and grunts. One surprise visitor was a Spotted Eagle Ray which made a couple of passes by the class. From there it was on to the much anticipated Shark-Ray Alley. After chumming the water with sardines, we attracted a large audience of nurse sharks and stingrays. With some apprehension, the students gingerly slipped into the water to interact with the gathering group of elasmobranchs. Put your mind at ease, the students returned with all body parts intact. After a filling supper, the students presented their project results, which included a simulated attack by a Dusky Damselfish on a older Blueheaded Wrasse.
After taking a break from snorkeling yesterday and our trip to the mainland, it was back in the water this morning with stops at Turtle Rock, Hol Chan (for the second time) and then on to Shark-Ray Alley. Turtle Rock is a location used by local fisherman to clean their catch. The scrapings attract a lot of fish and other marine life, including a large Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Hol Chan was once again an impressive sight with schools of large jack, snapper, and grunts. One surprise visitor was a Spotted Eagle Ray which made a couple of passes by the class. From there it was on to the much anticipated Shark-Ray Alley. After chumming the water with sardines, we attracted a large audience of nurse sharks and stingrays. With some apprehension, the students gingerly slipped into the water to interact with the gathering group of elasmobranchs. Put your mind at ease, the students returned with all body parts intact. After a filling supper, the students presented their project results, which included a simulated attack by a Dusky Damselfish on a older Blueheaded Wrasse.
