Marine Life of Puerto Rico: August 2010

8.11.2010

Welcome!

This website was created for you to discover the common creatures found around Puerto Rico with the strike of your finger. Browse through the photography as if you were gliding over the reef. At the click of your mouse, you can discover just what fish you saw during your morning dive, or prepare yourself for what you are about to encounter on your next. Many of the species you will discover on this site can be found around the Caribbean basin; apply what you learn here on all of your dives, and adventures, in the Caribbean. Enjoy!

If you have any photos or video of marine life you have taken from around Puerto Rico and would like to contribute to this site please see below for directions on how to do so.

Marine Life of Puerto Rico Photo Submission Form

Click here to get the google docs version (google account required). Or, copy and paste the following text below into a word.doc, fill it out, and send it as an email attachment to info@marinelifepr.org.

We at MLPR encourage everyone to submit a photo that they have taken of marine life around Puerto Rico for the chance of it being published on the site. We envision this site as being a concerted effort between the general public, scientists, dive shops, NGO's, and officials from local and regional agencies. The following is the basic submission form. Download this form, fill it out send it as an email attachment with your photo to info@marinelifepr.org. If we accept the photo we will publish it in the appropriate category and give you the proper photo credit!

First and Last Name of photographer:

Location the photo was taken:

Nearest municipality and/or island:

Note: Photos must be submitted over 600 kilobytes, and 300 dpi is preferred. If you have many photos that you want considered for the site please contact us to set up a meeting at our office to accept the photos. All photos will be considered but not all will be accepted. In effort to allow this site to provide users with the best representation of marine life occurring around the island, photos that are out of focus, in low resolution, or a poor representation of the subject will not be accepted. This will be decided amongst the site administrators.

(Compiled and Created by Wessley Merten. A student in the Department of Marine Science at UPRM)

Marine Life of Puerto Rico

8.10.2010

Spot Check

Isla Desecheo

Established in 1976 as a national wildlife refuge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Isla Desecheo has many unique characteristics. It is home to endemic lizards, an endangered cactus, and was once the worlds largest Brown Booby nesting colonization before Rhesus monkeys were introduced and disrupted their nesting sites (Breckon 2000). The waters surrounding the island are as interesting and if not more beautiful than the island itself. Within a half mile of the shoreline is a no take marine reserve (USFWS). The variety of nearshore habitats, including linear and patch reefs, sediment patches, underwater coastline arches and rooms, and gorgonian fields support a vast amount of sea life. This combined with 100-150’ visibility year round making this location a must for any visiting diver or snorkeler.

Breckon, G. (2000) Revision of the flora of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico. Vol. 36, No. 3-4, 177-209

US Fish and Wildlife Service, Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge

Habitat map of Isla Desecheo

Spanish Anchor Isla Desecheo

photo taken by Taino Divers

photo taken by Taino Divers

La Parguera

La Parguera, home to the University of Puerto Rico’s Department of Marine Sciences, is a marine protected area. Fishing is allowed but managed by species, catch, size, and time of year. From the mangrove laden coastline, through the inner lagoon mangrove cays and fringing reefs, to the outer lagoon fringing reefs, and offshore shelf and shelf edge La Parguera has it all. Endless possiblities await the visiting diver or snorkeler. Popular sites include Cayo Enrique, and Media Luna. Another popular site for swimming is Caracoles. Please pack out your trash and respect the natural resources.

Isla Mona

Mona Island is located in the Mona Channel 47 miles southwest of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Department of Natural Resources (DRNA) presonnel including biologists and rangers are the only permanent residents. Mona’s rugged location is beneficial for the preservation of it’s environments because of limited human access. If you have the opportunity to visit this protected environment please respect it’s natural resources.

Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Rincon, PR

The Tres Palms Marine Reserve has an area of 204 acres. It has been a protected no take marine reserve since 2004. It is home to many endangered species including Elkhorn coral, Staghorn coral, and Hawksbill turtles (Plan de Manejo, RMTP). Many other reef fish, invertebrates, and corals call can be found in the reserve. The rich thickets of shallow water Elkhorn coral support a vast amount of biodiversity and make it a splendid place for snorkeling or diving.

Plan de Manejo, RMTP