Recent News
Students shine in Reef Watch art contestThursday, June 25, 2015
Two Warwick Academy students are the proud winners of prizes in the recent Reef Watch Art Competition.
Ocean guardians promote Reef Watch
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Bermuda’s ocean guardians were at the Johnny Barnes roundabout to promote Saturday’s citizen science initiative Reef Watch.
Trunk Island to become outdoor classroom
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
It is one of the most pristine and untouched habitats left in Bermuda.
Aon staff show their community spirit
Friday, June 12, 2015
Aon staff have taken part in an international Global Service Day, assisting several local charities and community projects.r.
Open-air classroom for Florida students
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Bermuda has provided an open-air classroom for students from Flagler College in Florida, who just got their second round of hands-on research experience.
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Latest News
All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!
BZS’s mission to protect Bermuda’s reefs
Published May 1, 2014 at 8:00 am
Map demonstrating the coral reefs surveyed during Reef Watch 2013
and their corresponding ‘grades’ regarding the state of sea life in that area.
Protecting Bermuda’s marine environment has long been a priority for the Bermuda Zoological Society. Last year, with the support of Hiscox, they launched Reef Watch, an event where members of the community were invited to become Citizen Scientists and participate in an Island-wide effort to help monitor the health of Bermuda’s reef systems.
Held on Saturday, August 31, the event involved more than 100 people, including whole families, to survey 35 different reef locations, covering more than 500 square kilometres of the Bermuda lagoon, in support of ongoing research by the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Analysis and Monitoring (BREAM) programme.
“Bermuda’s coral reefs provide vital services to the people of our Island, by protecting our shores, enhancing our tourism product, providing recreational activities, food, and attracting overseas scientists and students,” said Dr Thaddeus Murdoch, chief scientist BREAM. “As coral reefs throughout the rest of the Atlantic succumb to deterioration and collapse, it is critical that we monitor the ecological condition of our coral reefs and manage the effects of the many local and global impacts that can harm reef and fish health.
“The Sea Life Index overall for coral reefs across the platform, as measured by combining the separate indices for predatory fish, herbivorous fish, hard coral cover and sea weed cover, shows that the reefs across most of the lagoon are in good condition,” Dr Murdoch explained. “Predatory fish, such as grouper and snapper, were notably absent however. Healthy reefs should have lots of these fishes swimming around them. Careful fisheries management is needed if predatory fish are to remain abundant, while also acting as an important source for our food.
“The Bermuda residents who took part in Reef Watch are now better able to tell the difference between an unhealthy coral reef and one in good condition. Through the Reef Watch programme, these folks have the means to communicate both their boating adventures and their concerns. These informed residents are now empowered to ensure our resources are managed effectively and that marine policies benefit both the marine animals and Bermuda’s people.”