RumPowered Research™ aboard the Turks & Caicos Explorer II

Explorer Ventures and the Turks and Caicos Explorer II crew joined forces with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) for a truly unique expedition out to East Caicos in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

#TurksandCaicos, November 13, 2021 – On October 2^nd, 2021, RumPowered Research™ became a reality when the yacht crew and TCRF volunteer divers departed for 6 days at sea conducting surveys across the reefs of the Atlantic/Caribbean’s largest uninhabited island and one of its largest anthropogenically unaffected reefs. During the week-long trip researchers and volunteers revisited reefs previously surveyed around East Caicos in 2018, serendipitously monitored shortly before the arrival of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) in the TCI. The opportunity presented here, having already collected this comprehensive baseline data, was to see what, if any, are the differences in how SCTLD spreads across these unvisited, comparably healthy reefs. How impactful is the human element in the spread and veracity of this disease? This was a primary output of our expedition. We re-surveyed 10 of 16 sites from 2018, choosing the ones that had the densest coral cover to quantify the impacts of SCTLD on those reefs.

Alongside the re-visits, TCRF’s Alizee Zimmermann and TCI Government (TCIG) Fisheries’ Richard Archer trained and certified 7 new volunteers in Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) methodologies, increasing the nations capacity for conservation and monitoring. TCRF are ever thankful to TCIG Fisheries and Richard for working together for the greater good. Of course, without the volunteers willing to donate their time (and dime) to learning and helping the cause, none of this would be possible. A huge thank you and congratulations to our new AGRRA certified Fish and Benthic surveyors! Additionally, a huge, heartfelt thank you to the team at AGRRA. They operate on a platform of open-sourced information and education and continue to support our efforts in the TCI both through data analysis and training materials but also through consistent scientific advice

If that weren’t enough work for the week, TCRF chose to use the opportunity afforded by our Scientific Research Permit to treat large, reproductive colonies being afflicted by SCTLD. How could we come all the way out to the Wild, wild East and not try to save as many colonies and genotypes as possible? In between the data collection and training we were able to treat individual colonies and tag them for future monitoring.

In 6 days:

• 80+ reproductive, large, priority colonies were treated across 3 dive sites at Drum Point, East Caicos.
• 20+ SCTLD roving diver surveys conducted
• 18 dives across 6 key areas on the northern and eastern reefs of East Caicos
• 11 volunteer divers + 6 incredible crew worked together to protect, preserve, & learn
• 10 sites from 2018 research trip were re-visited for comparative analysis.
• 4 volunteer divers were trained in AGRRA Fish surveys
• 3 volunteer divers were trained in AGRRA Benthic surveys (one of which was a crew member who joined the classes last minute and balanced work & training to blast the exam out of the water with a high score!)
• 2 evening presentation sessions. 1 on coral disease and 1 on sargassum
• 1 incredible expedition, 1 team, 1 boat
• RumPowered Research™ filed as a trademarked name
• Explorer Ventures & TC Reef Fund begin discussions on future expeditions and the creation of ‘meaningful tourism’ itineraries.

All of this was made possible by the incredible sponsors and volunteers. 2021 marks the inaugural RumPowered Research™ trip and this year’s sponsors were; Woody Creek Distillers, Bambarra Rum, and Mount Gay Rum. We would also like to thank a local micro greens company called Fresh Products TCI for their sponsorship of one of our volunteer spots as well as to those who donated but wish to remain anonymous. Thanks to all of you this expedition was possible!

AGRRA and Ocean Alchemists ltd. Sponsored us through help with training and donation of treatment base as well as sponsoring one of our volunteer spots and data analyses capabilities.

Last but not least, Explorer Ventures, thank you. Thank you for believing in the project and sponsoring a large portion of this research trip. TCRF are looking forward to continuing to develop itineraries alongside them. “This was an exceptional opportunity to collect tangible quantitative data on the reefs of one of the regions most secluded and largest reef tracts. The T&C Explorer crew were phenomenal and we’re very excited about the idea of creating meaningful tourism itineraries that will be open to the general public” Said TCRF’s Executive Director, Alizee Zimmermann

It was great to have Operations Manager Nelson Riollano join the expedition. “Explorer Ventures tries to always operate in a responsible manner when it comes to the environment while still providing a service and experience that is safe and enjoyable to our customers. That is why we are always looking to work with the TCI Reef fund to protect environment in the Turks and Caicos. The RumPowered Research™ charter created the opportunity to collectively discuss ways to work together on future projects. It also allowed our crew to learn more about the survey process and the efforts being made to protect the reefs.  This valuable knowledge and experience will be shared with our guests week after week.”

About: Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet

The Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet offers 7 destinations including the Red Sea, Maldives, Northeastern Caribbean (Saba/St. Kitts), Turks & Caicos Islands, Galapagos Islands and Indonesia. The M/V Turks & Caicos Explorer II also spends 10 weeks in the winter/spring offering snorkelling with Humpback Whales on the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic, under charter to Aquatic Adventures. Explorer Ventures has committed to enhancing sustainable operations and encouraging conservation worldwide through an environmental management policy called Dive Green.

 About Turks & Caicos Reef Fund

Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI.  It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands.  Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.  Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org.