THE BEGINNING
Monday, April 21, 2008
CI's own Sterling Zumbrunn is checking in with us as he travels around the Halmahera. Check back often to hear about his experiences and see his seascape photography.
You can read about the first week of the expedition here. CI-Indonesia has been tracking the trip as well.
GETTING THERE
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Halmahera bound! Halma-what you say? I've been hearing a lot of that lately. Halmahera is the largest island of Indonesia's North Maluku province, historically a key region for the spice trade, and right in the heart of the coral triangle, the richest area for marine diversity on earth. >> Read the full dispatch
NEW BLOOD
Thursday, April 24, 2008
This morning we sailed into Buli and said goodbye to Rod Salm and Kent Carpenter who reluctantly left us this morning for home. Here’s a photo of the survey team before they left. A motley crew if ever I saw one – but a very happy group of scientists. Two weeks diving in the heart of the Coral Triangle is a dream come true for most of us. They were replaced by Joanne Wilson and Sterling Zumbrunn. >> Read the full dispatch
THE CROWN-OF-THORNS STARFISH
Friday, April 25, 2008
Spent the day diving in Buli. The first dive was on Woi Reef, in the middle of the bay. This was the first time we have seen evidence of a serious outbreak of the crown-of-thorns starfish, which eat corals. >> Read the full dispatch
DISCOVERING THE NESTING BEACH OF HAWKSBILL AND GREEN TURTLES
Friday, April 25, 2008
After a long day survey through number of beaches around Buli Bay, I decided to visit Patagtaga Island in the evening. This island is also called Pulau To. Joanne has to sleep in the dinning room while I have to prepare torch and arrange a rubber boat with the captain. >> Read the full dispatch
TELUK BULI (BULI BAY)
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Went for another dive in Buli Bay today, and found a reef that seems to have escaped the crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak. >> Read the full dispatch
TELUK BULI (BULI BAY)
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Mark Erdmann, our resident mantis shrimp expert, made an exciting discovery on the northeastern side of Halmahera. He discovered a species of mantis shrimp that is completely new to science. >> Read the full dispatch
TO BE A SPECIES OR NOT TO BE
Monday, April 28, 2008
One of the most interesting fishes encountered so far on our expedition is a rare "odd-ball" anemonefish that has been seen twice over the past week while diving on outer reefs of northeastern Halmahera. >> Read the full dispatch
TELUK BULI (BULI BAY)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
We have now sailed 800km and reached the half way point of our journey. The species count continues to rise. So far we have recorded 460 confirmed coral species and 30 or so that require further study and may add to the list. >> Read the full dispatch
TELUK BULI (BULI BAY)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Unfortunately our excellent adventure has come to an end sooner than we planned. Apparently there is an issue with one of our permits, which only came to light in the last couple of days. >> Read the full dispatch