August 6, 2020 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aggressor Adventures and the Turks & Caicos Aggressor staff joined forces with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF). Last week, the yacht staff and TCRF volunteer divers spent three days at sea surveying coral reefs and tending to “coral ladders” for reef restoration efforts. The conservation accomplishments included:
· Nine (although 3 of the group are team leaders, they are all volunteers and were all guests and enjoyed the wonderful services of Aggressor) guests volunteered for coral reef surveys and restoration work while enjoying the comfort and premier service that Aggressor Adventures is known for;
· Volunteer divers were trained in 14 coral species identifications and diagnostics of coral diseases;
· The TCRF dive leaders, volunteer divers, and Aggressor staff worked together to complete six critical Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) surveys as well as 40 roving diver surveys to document and quantify impacts from stony coral tissue loss disease on the reefs;
· The team selected and mapped 16 coral colonies for disease treatment and future monitoring;
· And, the team set-up a new nursery structure for corals in an existing coral nursery while being trained in necessary nursery maintenance; Aggressor Adventures adopted a coral ladder complete with six rungs of fast-growing, endangered staghorn coral fragments that were cataloged, re-tagged, and hung by both volunteers and staff working together.
This vital conservation work was, in part, made possible by Aggressor Adventures providing a discounted charter for local divers. “As a company with a focus on sustainability, we are pleased to partner with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund and help support the import conservation work they do locally to protect their beautiful coral reefs that we all love to dive,” says Wayne B. Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures.
“The work we do benefits all watersports operators as well as all the residents of the TCI. We are extremely grateful to Aggressor Adventures for the support they have given TCRF over the past 10 years which has allowed us to continue our important work,” said Don Stark, Chairman of the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund. “This was an amazingly productive and fun trip that gave us the opportunity to complete a great deal of work in a very short period of time,” said TCRF Project Manager and Trip Leader, Alizee Zimmermann.
A short video of these conservation activities is available here; https://vimeo.com/444642123?fbclid=IwAR3tQtOtdyQEamvVXLfVm8RxL4ktRanyK6QXsDOBOvPE1QCHVvrFhoPteII
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About Aggressor Adventures: Aggressor Adventures is in the adventure-making business. We’re a world-class team of uncompromising explorers dedicated to continually creating unique and extraordinary exper- iences for our guests. We are passionate scuba divers, seasoned captains, culinary masters, discerning concierges, and wild safari experts. We are avid protectors of our oceans, rivers and lands, nature, and the environment. We awake each and every day eager for adventure. Let us immerse you in new experiences, change the way you see the world, and create your Adventure of a Lifetime.®"
About Turks & Caicos Reef Fund: Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs. Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org.