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The Nature Conservancy in Jamaica Jamaica Places We Protect Tropical Forests Islands Jamaica Coral Reefs How We Work Press Releases Ways of Giving Contact Us |
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View the next postcard from Jamaica
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By Nathalie Zenny
Jamaica Program, Pedro Bank Project Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Day 2: Early Morning Arrival
Middle Cay, Pedro Bank
At dawn the next day, we arrived and anchored in front of Middle Cay—a small circular sandy island only slightly larger than an American Football stadium. Under heavy seas and gusty winds we began unloading our gear.
Middle Cay has no dock capable of accommodating the Coast Guard Cutter and so we had to ferry things to the island bit by bit using smaller canoes operated by the fishermen and a Coast Guard tender. From the landing beach, the gear then had to be hauled by hand up to the little Coast Guard base situated on the southwest side of the cay. Amidst all the comings and goings we had to avoid a pair of masked booby birds who had set up a nest and were vociferously guarding their downy chick, smack in the middle of the pathway leading to the base.
Three hours later we all sat exhausted and aching but shaded from the pounding sun thanks to our expedition tent, which was kindly donated and erected by Tent City, a local business. I never realized how much stuff we had actually brought until it was all piled in front of the Coast Guard base—250 gallons of gas, 300 gallons of water, 25 scuba tanks, diving compressor, computers, food and a mountain of personal gear and equipment for each team member.
The remainder of the day was spent unpacking, setting up camp and doing a dry-land training session in the survey methods we were going to use for the rapid assessment.
Next: Work Begins
For more information about Jamaica:
- The Nature Conservancy in Jamaica
Jamaica's coral reefs, beaches and an extensive coastal plain surround a plateau, rain forests and a backbone of peaks. As Jamaica was never connected with any other land mass, it has a high percentage of unique species. - Feature: Pedro Bank Photo Slideshow
View more underwater photos taken during the weeklong coral reef survey on the Pedro Bank. - Where We Work: The Pedro Bank
Located approximately 50 miles or 80 kilometers south-southwest of the island of Jamaica the Pedro Bank is one of the country's last remaining healthy marine ecosystems. - Field Guide: Cockpit Country
With 5,000 hillocks and valleys rippling across the land, Cockpit Country has been nearly impenetrable for humans—good news for Jamaica's most pristine forests. - Ecotourism: Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
Established in 1990 to provide stricter protection for government land and designated forest reserves. The park covers some 196,000 acres (79,321 hectares) and houses the watershed for the capital city of Kingston, and all communities in the eastern third of Jamaica. - How You Can Help: Donate Online
Support conservation by helping to save the last great places in Jamaica.
