Report on the AGRRA Training Workshop in Barbados.

This AGRRA Training Workshop was held June 5-11, 2005 at Bellairs Research Institute, Barbados and it was sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Ocean Research and Education Foundation. Twelve visiting scientists from the Antilles and Colombia participated in the Protocol methodology seminars and underwater training sessions. Thanks to CERMES, University of West Indies, Barbados and especially to Renata Goodridge, Hazel Oxenford and Robin Mahon for help in planning and executing the workshop.

The objectives for this workshop were twofold:

·        To build capacity among coral reef researchers and managers of the Eastern Caribbean for implementing condition assessment studies in coral reef communities.

·        To release the Version 4.0 of the AGRRA Protocol.

The theory behind the assessment of condition in coral and algae communities was taught by Judy Lang. She and Rodrigo Garza also were in charge of the benthic methodology explanation and training, and Ken Marks taught and trained the participants on coral reef fish identification and fish surveys.

Hazel Oxenford and Robin Mahon identified candidates for the workshop. Renata Goodridge and Kim Baldwin advised on appropriate reef sites for the training sessions. The shallow reefs were Weston Fish Market and Sandy Lane and the deep reefs (in the bank) were Dottings and Sandy Lane.

The bank reefs where the training exercises were carried out had a good overall condition, with 32% of live coral cover, 45% of crustose coralline algae and 5% of fleshy macroalgae (mainly Dyctiota), but we observed a high incidence of old death and many colonies affected by diseases, mainly Yellow Band.

The new version of the Protocol incorporates important changes in the methodology for benthic assessment, allowing the new data to be comparable with other reef characterization and monitoring methods. Please go to the methods page to download the new protocol along with the new benthic datasheet.

·         List of Participants at Barbados Workshop

·         Pictures from the Barbados Workshop

·         Announcement for the Barbados Workshop

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