Recent News
Octopus predicts Scott will win 2013 Grand SlamWednesday, October 16, 2013
Adam Scott is to be the big winner of this year’s PGA Grand Slam - or so says Chelsea the octopus.
Ocean Vet pilot film released
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Dr Neil Burnie has released a pilot film for Ocean Vet, a series that has the potential to be developed into an Animal Planet series.
Bermuda’s Coral Reefs featured in new book
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Bermuda’s coral reefs have been featured in a new book which helps to showcase them to a global audience, and the information contained in it will be a key reference for our school children, Minister of Environment and Planning Sylvan Richards said today.
Book highlights Bermuda’s coral reefs
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Bermuda’s coral reefs have been highlighted in a recently published book series detailing reef systems around the world.
First genetic tests done on Bermuda longtails
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Cherished as the first harbinger of spring, Bermuda’s longtail has always held a special place in the hearts of islanders.
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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.”