The
divers in training (lovingly called the “DIT’s”) went off
campus to earn our diver certification. After a long pool session
where we learned all the skills to become safe, effective scuba
divers, we went out on a boat to do our first open water dive and
after a ten minute boat ride, we were at the coral reef ready to
begin. The first time going under was indeed a completely novel
undertaking, albeit a frightening one. Personally, I had a very hard
time “equalizing” my air spaces, but this difficultly passed and
we were able to experience something completely new. The reef was
indescribably beautiful, and the some of the fauna we saw were not
present back on the campus. Everyone agreed that this was a great
experience in our stay here in Jamaica. Overall, we had a great time
while learning a new, useful skill.

The Class DITS (Divers In Training) before heading into the water.

Amir

Snorkeling!

After
our first lecture on January 3^rd
we finally got to do what most of us had been looking forward to…get
our wetsuits and gear on and snorkel! The first time out we took it
slow. We split up into two groups and went with Joe or Brad to either
the mangroves or reef crest. My group went to the reef crest. At one
point, it got so shallow I was practically laying on my stomach! But
we all survived with no injuries or stomach bruises. Our second
snorkel trip was a bit more adventurous. We buddied up with a partner
and then most of us ventured into the area we had not gone before. We
began taking underwater pictures of all the beautiful things living
in the reef. Finally, our third snorkel trip today was at night! It
was pitch black but the sky was full of beautiful stars. We used
underwater flashlights to guide the way and saw many unique organisms
from an octopus to several stingrays to a many sea cucumbers. By now
I think it’s safe to say all of us are getting comfortable to
snorkeling and looking forward to more of it!

A group getting ready to jump in to the water and
snorkel

Meaghan 

Fun in the Sun Day 1

Lionfish in the invasive species lab

Sea urchin tests found in the bay [and a starfish]

Today we had a lecture from UWI (University of the West Indies) faculty about lionfish being an invasive species in Jamaica. They told us how they try to reduce the number of lionfish by educating people on how you can actually eat them and not to be afraid to catch them. We had another lecture from Brad after that and we saw some pictures of sea urchins which I saw with Nick and John when we went snorkeling. We got some of the tests in the bay when snorkeling. Tiffany got one too during the night dive. Hopefully these don’t break in our bags so we can bring them home as souvenirs.

Tracey

Trumpetfish Spotted.

Today I captured a Trumpetfish for the first time around 11am after snorkeling for about an hour. It’s an extremely unique looking fish that caught my eye right away. Glad I came across one, hopefully there’s many more in the future!

Trumpetfish seen slowly cruising around.

– Mike

The first day!

The first full day down here has sure been a packed one! Three lectures, three chances to snorkel (including a night swim), arrangements were made to complete diving certification for those who need it, and three meals each of which included at least one item of food to play the “guess what I’m eating” game! We also received some background on the institution, which little to my knowledge has been around since the 60s, as well as a lecture on some invasive species of the area including Asian tiger shrimp and lionfish. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!!

Just one of the several narrow passes to swim through for the reward of colorful fish and beautiful formations!

Dan

This is visual proof that everybody has arrived here in Jamaica. This was this morning before breakfast (and after our first lecture). Notice the lack of tans, sunburns, coral scrapes, and urchin spine wounds. This will all change over the next 2.5 weeks.

Stony Brook University's Tropoical Marine Ecology (MAR 388) 2013 School Picture.

And yes, you read the above correctly. We had a lecture before breakfast this morning.

And after breakfast, we hit the water.

The class is back in the water (again) before dinner.

Student-written posts should begin shortly. They needed to take some photos today so they have something to talk about.

Professor Warren

Greetings from Discovery Bay Marine Lab in Jamaica. All 23 undergraduate students are here, frantically trying to get online which has caused the internet to crawl to a glacial-like pace.  Family and friends should check in with this blog as we'll have multiple posts per day from the students (with photos) describing what is going on here.  Parents especially are encouraged to write comments on the posts!

It's a nice change from the frozen ground in New York, temps are in the 70s and it's fairly humid. Everybody quickly ditched their shoes, socks, and pants and are in flip-flops and shorts.  We had a great meal for dinner in the cafeteria, a quick introduction to the course, and we'll start things off tomorrow morning at 7am with our first lecture. Not every student was excited by this: in fact one, (who goes by the name of Turnip) stated: "You are making me wake up earlier than I ever have before — except for going on flights." 

The class waits to load onto the bus to travel from the airport to the Discovery Bay Marine Lab.

More later – including our first snorkeling reports.

Professor Warren