AGRRA, the University of Miami's exciting new research tool for evaluating the condition of coral reefs, was recently introduced to reef scientists from around the Caribbean and North America during a week-long workshop on the island of Bonaire, in the Netherlands Antilles.
AGRRA, which stands for Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment, gives resource managers a standardized, easy to use set of tools for measuring reef condition. AGRRA uses rapid reef assessment techniques based upon observations of coral mortality and size, alga abundance, and fish abundance, size and diversity.
Fifteen visiting scientists attended a five-day workshop, February 1-5, hosted by the Bonaire Marine Park and the University of Miami. In addition to interactive discussions, the participants completed daily fieldwork projects where they used the AGRRA method to evaluate Bonaire's reefs at various dive sites around the Island. During the workshop, a large database was started that reflects the current condition of several of the Bonaire's reefs. Afterwards the reefs will continue to be monitored by the Marine Park.
AGRRA is a tremendous management tool: said Kalli De Meyer, Manager of the Bonaire Marine Park. "Now we will finally be able to track the health of our reefs and we'll be able to see how our reefs are doing in comparison with others throughout the Caribbean."
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