CORAÏBES BLOG
ISLAND NEWS
Find brief information on the fauna and flora of the islands here.
Reports "15 years to save the corals"
"15 years to save the corals" is a project aiming to highlight those who work on the preservation of the ocean and more particularly the teamsworking for the backup ofCoral reefsof the Caribbean and Overseas.
Our reports and audiovisual productions will then be broadcast Arc en Ciel, On air, Corsair Magazine and Outre Mer Grandeur Nature.
They will also be accessible on our blog www.coraibes-blog.com and our You Yube channel.Learn more.
Coral larval rearing
Since January 2022, we have been working on a project aimed at highlighting new techniques oflarval rearingof corals. A promising way that could halt the decline of coral reefs in the Caribbean and overseas.
Shells and corals in my suitcase?
Who hasn't dreamed of bringing back in their suitcases shells and pieces of coral picked up on the beaches? This common practice is however prohibited because these corals and shells, even dead ones, play a fundamental role: they turn into sand! So, before flying, check your bags carefully to avoid any inconvenience at the airport.
Queen conch, a threatened and poached species
The conch, famous as a fricassee in the restaurants of the islands, is a victim of its own success. Overfished for several years, it is now threatened with extinction. Its fishing is therefore strictly supervised, reserved for professional fishermen and only from October 1 to January 31. But as everything that is rare is expensive, inter-island traffic has developed between Saint Lucia and theMartinique. The poachers were fortunately arrested and risk 3 and 6 months of suspended imprisonment and a €17,000 customs fine.
A genius with 9 brains
The octopus is a marine animal that has 8 arms that can measure 3 times the size of its body. It is able to change color in seconds to blend in with its surroundings. But, it also has a reserve of ink that it discharges to muddy the water and thus escape its predators. Would all his qualities come from his 9 brains?
A well inflated fish
The Diodon is a solitary fish that spends its days sheltered inCoral reefs. In case of danger, he is able to inflate like a balloon, revealing the spines that cover his body. Only problem, this survival technique can be fatal to him because he does not always manage to expel the water with which he has inflated...
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OBSenMER, a useful app
Citizen science is on the rise and our mobile phones can be useful! By downloading the OBSenMER app on your smartphone, during your vacation you can report all your observations made at sea or on the coast. This application concerns both animals, marine mammals,Pisces, birds, but also human activities, such as boating, fishing and pollution. Each observation, no matter how small, represents an important source of information. So, to your smartphones!
Fish to avoid
In tropical areas, certain fish should be avoided because they carry ciguatoxin, a toxin responsible for food poisoning, ciguatera. Yellow trevally, barracuda, greater amberjack, amberjack are to be avoided in all the Caribbean islands. Other species can only be eaten south of the island of Montserrat and on condition that they weigh less than 1 kg. To avoid any worries, trust the fishermen and if you plan to practice spearfishing during your holidays, find out about the species to avoid.
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The nature reserve of Saint-Martin
In the north of the island, between Anse Marcel and Oyster Pond, 11 km of coastline are protected. 400,000 visitors come each year to discover 90 species of birds spread over the sixteen protected ponds. But underwater, the show is also there with many sea turtles,raysAndsharkswho have taken up residence in the 2900 hectares of the marine part of the Reserve. And nearly 60 tourism partners offer tours of this protected territory.
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See sea turtles
Did you know that 5 of the 7 species ofsea turtless present on the surface of the globe criss-cross the Caribbean? From March, the egg-laying season begins and with a little luck you will be able to observe some! In the water of course since they come there to mate and feed in the sea grass beds. But also on land because the females come to bury their eggs in the sand, on average every fortnight. So, keep your eyes wide open and if you encounter them, keep your distance, these reptiles hate noise and disturbance more than anything!Learn more.
The lungs of the earth are under water
Forests are often presented as the lungs of the earth, but this is not entirely true. Indeed, it is the oceans which alone provide between 50% and 75% of the oxygen we breathe thanks to the photosynthesis produced in particular by phytoplankton.
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The parrot fish at the origin of our beaches
Parrotfish are recognizable by their beautiful turquoise color and their beak with teeth. Thanks to these, they scrape and ingest tiny pieces ofcoralsall day long in order to extract the algae they are fond of. By doing so, parrotfish can turn up to a ton of coral into coral sand every year! This sand present in their droppings therefore contributes to the formation of white sand beaches. In addition, these fish play a major role for the corals by getting rid of the algae that sometimes settle there and asphyxiate them.
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A noisy world of silence
Underwater life is not a silent world, quite the contrary. Scientists are gradually discovering that manyPiscesemit sounds to communicate or frighten their predators. Some growl, others click or chatter their teeth! Thus the clownfish repels its adversaries by shouting ingust and the ladyfish makes up to six different sounds!
An unknown jellyfish
The mangroves are home to a host of marine animals including the famous cassiopeia, a very special jellyfish. Indeed, unlike other animals in its class, it is home to tiny microscopic algae, thezooxanthellae, which live in symbiosis inside its cells. These zooxanthellae, like all algae, feed by photosynthesis and the cassiopeia therefore lives with the tentacles directed towards the sun to offer maximum light to its hosts. The cassiopeia is thus the only jellyfish to live… upside down.
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A gentle approach
Since their protection in 1991, sea turtles on the islands have increased in number and going swimming with them in their now well-known favorite coves has become more popular. A practice that attracts all turtle enthusiasts but which must be done gently! Indeed, sea turtles are above all wild animals and when they approach the coast, it is for them to feed or reproduce. Suffice to say that they aspire to calm and tranquility, not to say intimacy.
To enjoy this beautiful spectacle, keep your distance by leaving at least 5 meters between them and you and avoid sudden gestures and flippers. At this distance, you can take beautiful shots without scaring them and thus encouraging them to come back year after year!