Cyprus - AUGUST 2003.
AMCA International (AMCAI) has recently entered into partnership with Blue Ventures Conservation (BV) to work together to enable all persons regardless of physical ability to participate in marine conservation.
During July and August 2003, as a preamble to our long -term work AMCAI in association with BV ran an inclusive marine expedition at Akrotiri Peninsula, Cyprus.
Our team conducted a baseline survey of Akrotiri Fish reserve, and will produce a preliminary habitat map. The research focused on surveying and recording the extent and presence of EU and IUCN priority marine habitat and fish species for Cyprus. This meant the team surveyed Sea grass beds (posidonia oceanica) and searched for Pipefish (S. abaster) and Seahorses (H. gluttulatus)
Baseline surveys of several randomly selected sections of the discontinuous and distinct sea grass meadows were also undertaken recording the percentage cover of this priority habitat. These sites were selected at random and it is our intention to investigate whether there was an impact on sea grass meadows that are most frequently visited by divers compared to sites that are visited less frequently. Our research is in its preliminary stages and we hope to continue it over subsequent years.
This expedition was unique and the first of its kind bringing together persons of various abilities to work together to undertake scientific research. Our group included amongst others: a paraplegic, someone with partial hearing loss and asthma, a diabetic, and a diver with a recovered prolapsed disc. Our team consisted of very experienced divers whose diving qualifications ranged from Advanced Instructor, dive master through to Sports Diver.
As part of the expedition the AMCAI Engineering team designed and established AMCAI’s first inclusive survey method- A new quadrat system. This methodology was successfully used by all members of our unique team during this expedition to survey the sea grass meadows.
Our Sincere Thanks to the whole AMCAI team, BV, BSAC Special Branch No:106S, The Royal Geographical Society and our numerous Cypriot sponsors for their continuing help and support.
Jordan
Prince Raad bin Zeid and Caroline Walsh, Director of AMCAI are the founders of an initiative in Jordan which encourages disabled persons to get involved in marine conservation. The initiative was established in August 2001 with initial support from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Marine Science Station, Jordan Royal Ecological Diving Society and the Royal Diving Club. These organisations represent a cross section of the Jordan community representing local government, private sector, public sector, education and non government organisations.
The vision for the Jordan project is for Jordanians, regardless of impairments, to get involved in marine conservation. We aim to support the Jordanians to enable Jordanian scuba instructors to train so they can teach disabled divers, train disabled Jordanians to dive, introduce them to the marine environment and encourage them to get involved in marine conservation.
Bonaire
In August 2002, AMCAI undertook a workshop in Bonaire with our American colleague and partner, Sharon Kegeles, Barry University. As a result AMCAI will return to Bonaire in 2003 to undertake research and development.
