Dr. Richard Nemeth and his team document both the slow recovery of Nassau grouper in the U.S. Virgin Islands and illegal trapping of this endangered species in the Marine Conservation District.

Seven students graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands Masters of Marine and Environmental Studies program this month despite significant challenges presented by COVID-19. These students are no strangers to adversity and in fact three of the graduates are part of what are lovingly call the “Hurricohort”, those who began their program just before hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Theirs was not an easy journey. Success was not guaranteed…it was won by doing the next hard thing each day. So join us as we celebrate them, these seven, who deserve to take a bow and relish what they have achieved.

“You are looking at one of the most unique sea turtle habitats in the world because the Brewers Bay and Hawksbill Cove turtle habitat is dominated by an artificial reef. We need to understand what it is about this environment that is attracting and holding so many juvenile hawksbill and green sea turtles. The support of donors like the Baird family is huge and much-needed for us to continue this crucial research.” Dr. Paul Jobsis

Youth Ocean Explorers from St. Thomas had the rare opportunity to participate in the National Park Service's Sea Turtle Monitoring Program on Buck Island Reef National Monument in St. Croix.