The Vulnerability of Marine Species to Acidic Sea Condition

A workshop was held today at the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute focusing on the susceptibility of certain marine species, including the spiny lobster and conch, to the acidification of the sea.  It’s a highly scientific undertaking; one, which Principal Ecologist Doctor Silvana Birchenaugh explained to the media.

Silvana Birchenaugh

Dr. Silvana Birchenaugh, Principal Ecologist, CEFAS, UK

“Today we’re talking about our project which is assessing vulnerability to ocean acidification and species of fisheries importance in the Caribbean.  Our project is concentrated in Belize, we work with the spiny lobster and conch shell and the idea is to document carbonate chemistry and changes in water to inform how fisheries is going to change under future conditions.  We also are looking at collecting biological samples for spiny lobsters and conch shells but also we are looking at doing economic assessments, how the economy and the species are going to change in a changing climate and finally the additional aim of our project is to look at knowledge transfer and building capacity in country.  So at the moment we are working with the Coastal Zone Management and the Fisheries Department and we are undertaking surveys but also doing data analysis to capture the changes and the changing climate.”