Marine
Conservation Research and Dive Trip to Belize
March
8-14, 2009
Join an 8-person team for
six-days of research diving on the Sapodilla Cayes in
southern Belize off the coast of Punta Gorda, the southern
point of the Barrier Reef. Coral surveys will be conducted
using the Reefcheck protocol
www.reefcheck.org,
plus spiny lobster, commercial fish and conch surveys and
potential diving in spawning aggregates and with Whale
Sharks. Lodging will be in a year-old research facility on
Hunting Caye. Typically we will do two research dives a day
plus unlimited shore diving and night diving. Our host will
be Reef Conservation International
www.reefci.com
who have four years of research experience on the Cayes, see
their annual research reports on their web site.
We will fly to Punta Gorda
via Belize City on Sunday, boat to the Cayes on Monday with
an introductory dive and ReefCheck training, Tuesday through
Friday we will do research and recreational diving. Friday
we boat back to Punta Gorda and depart for Houston Saturday.
Those that wish can spend two days in the jungle at Cotton
Tree Lodge
www.cotttontreelodge.com
for an additional $290.
Cost will be $1190 for the
6-day ground package including local transportation,
accommodations, all meals on the Cayes, and unlimited
diving. There is a restaurant and bar on the 5 acre Caye.
Rooms are either doubles or four-person dorms. Current
airfare is for your account and is currently $810 ($150 is
fuel surcharge so could come down). Meals during our stay in
Punta Gorda are not covered but very reasonable.
Proposed dates are March 8th
to 14th, 2009. A $500 deposit is required to hold
your place; balance is due 5 weeks before departure.
Cancellation policy: Deposits are not refundable.
Cancellation more than 3 weeks prior to departure, 50% of
the balance is refundable, if less than 3 weeks no refund.
Cancellation by Reef Conservation Intl., 100% refund except
in cases of natural disaster and force majeure
No vaccinations are
required. You will need a passport. You will be asked to
sign a PADI Medical Form indicating your fitness for diving
and diving insurance is required. They have PADI instructors
if you want to complete an advanced course.
Trip leader and dive master
is Jim Rosborough, BAD member, NAUI instructor, 35 years of
diving experience, past dive master for HUC and Field
Representative for Earthwatch (18 research projects). Jim
has been on two research projects on the Sapodilla Cayes and
is a certified ReefCheck leader. He is leading this trip as
an individual.
If you are interested
contact Jim at:
713-552-0104, 281-685-5339
cell
2929 Buffalo Speedway
#1408, Houston 77098;
jrosboro@hal-pc.org
