Dr. Tyler Smith, lead Coral Reef Researcher with VI-EPSCoR, and Associate Research Professor of Marine Science with the University of the Virgin Islands has been appointed to a National Academies of Sciences committee to study coral reef resilience. This is a tremendous honor of international significance. 

Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria swept through the Caribbean in September 2017, marine researchers at the University of the Virgin Islands noticed a dramatic decrease in the number of green sea turtles in Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, and, a possible decrease in hawksbill sea turtles as well.  Both of these species are protected as their populations have been greatly impacted by over-harvesting of eggs and adults over the past centuries. What does this mean for local populations of these fascinating creatures?

The Grammanik Bank, located just south of St. Thomas, is also the only known spawning location in the region for critically endangered Nassau grouper. The Nassau grouper spawning aggregation at the Grammanik Bank is a very special place. The US Virgin Islands are very fortunate because this is the only location in the entire Caribbean where Nassau grouper have shown signs of recovering

Look what turned up! A coral tree that was swept away by Hurricane Irma or Maria from the Flat Cay coral nursery USVI, was found by a fisherman off shore of Farmers Cay in the Bahamas. Amazingly, the corals are still alive after experiencing such extreme conditions. This is important information and a testament to the resiliency of this genotype.