What a memorable holiday weekend! On Monday, we spent a peaceful morning on Steps Beach in Rincon. The beach gets its name from a stoop that is believed to have been washed ashore by a hurricane. It's incredible to think such a force can carry a huge block of concrete. We strolled on the beach looking for seashells and rested in tide pools. We also went for a quick fun snorkel around the area. Although the reef was teeming with life, the corals were not doing well. Seeing the leftover structures of the amazing branching corals that once were alive was heartbreaking. Imagining what it would’ve once looked like before it became a popular beach is even more devastating. Luckily, there was still a rainbow of resilient sea fans scattered along the seascape, adding life and color. After lunch on the beach and a quick rest, we went for a little excursion around the town of Rincon. We visited a few shops and even grabbed some coffee before ending the night with a delicious dinner in Mayaguez.
Tuesday, we finished our last day of data collection! It’s hard to believe we are starting to come to the end of our adventure. We wrapped up with benthic surveys at San Cristobal, which I believe was the most challenging Cayo of all. It was shallow with plenty of corals, both live and dead, and the current was working against us the whole time. However, we still managed to finish with plenty of time for some to partake in a fun snorkel. On our way back, we even spotted a turtle and a dolphin. We had a lunch and learn with Luis Rodriguez, who spoke to us about the DOE ARPA-E Mariner program. A project that farms seaweed to improve water quality, produce valuable bioproducts, reconnect habitats, and protect nursery spaces. We ended the night discussing our final projects. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with next Friday.
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