Coral Cay Conservation

🐠Today is World Manta Day 🐠

Manta and Devil rays are threatened globally, and numbers are dropping in many regions.

Both Manta and Devil rays are targeted for their gill plates, which are used in pseudo-remedies in China and East Asia.

Manta and Devil rays, like many other large marine animals, get easily tangled in fishing nets and ghost nets.

Climate change is changing the availability of phytoplankton in the ocean, and unregulated tourism can push Manta rays away from critical cleaning and feeding habitats.



www.coralcay.org

📸 Ocean Image Bank: Lewis Burnett/Simon Hilbourne/ Toby Mathews/ Umeed Mistery

Coral reefs first appeared 485 million years ago, at the dawn of the Early Ordovician.

Throughout their 485 million year existence they have adapted to natural changes in our environment, and have thrived in the ocean.

Global coral bleaching events were first recorded in the 1990's, and the occurrences of bleaching events have increased in prevalence since.



📸Ocean Image Bank

www.coralcay.org

Did you see our announcement last week? We are offering 20% of all 2023 expeditions between now and December 1st 🐠

Visit our website for more information, or drop us a DM

www.coralcay,com

🪸 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT🪸

For a limited time only we are offering a 20% discount on all expeditions booked between now and December 1st 2022!

We've also added 4 new 2023 dates to our website 👀

www.coralcay.org

📸 Original photo by Matt Curnock /OIB

Volunteer opportunities for the conservation of coral reefs Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation which works to protect the health of coral reefs in the developing world. Learn more about our work and how you can volunteer on our expeditions.

Anemone fish and their hosts are synonymous with coral reefs🪸

Anemone fish have evolved to live symbiotically with anemones, meaning that they both benefit mutually from the relationship.

Clownfish are protected from predators by the stinging tentacles of the anemone, and in return, they keep the anemone clean and tidy!

Join our coral reef monitoring team in Egypt and help us protect coral reefs 🐠

www.coralcay.org

Volunteer opportunities for the conservation of coral reefs Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation which works to protect the health of coral reefs in the developing world. Learn more about our work and how you can volunteer on our expeditions.

Every space in a coral reef is a potential habitat or refuge for organisms 🦀⁠
⁠
Cryptic species such as this Trapezia crab are hard to spot on the reef. Survey divers looking for invertebrates or cryptic species spend most of their time head down, scanning the reef for smaller species that hide amongst coral 🪸⁠
⁠
Join us in Egypt and learn to dive, survey coral reefs and contribute to their conservation 🤿⁠
⁠
🐠www.coralcay.org 🐠
⁠

Sea turtles, like whales, migrate thousands of kilometres between foraging and nesting habitats 🐢

The high seas are full of migrating animals, but they're also full of longlines and abandoned ghost nets, both of which threaten migratory animals 🐋🦈

Longline methods are indiscriminate and attract animals with baited hooks, whilst ghost nets capture and entangle marine animals as they travel through the ocean.

learn to dive. Travel the world. Conserve coral reefs 🪸 www.coralcay.org

📸 Gaby Barathieu / Ocean Image Bank

Whales migrate thousands of kilometres every year across the high seas, travelling through 'whale superhighways' to get to critical feeding and breeding habitats 🐋

Whales may be protected for certain parts of their migration, but a 2018 study highlighted that 50% of a migratory whale's life is spent in areas of the high seas beyond national jurisdiction.

Only 1% of the high seas are protected, leaving whales and other migratory animals unprotected and vulnerable.

learn to dive. Travel the world. Conserve coral reefs 🪸 www.coralcay.org

📸 François Baelen / Ocean Image Bank

The high seas make up 63% of the ocean, but less than 1% is protected🌊

High seas will be hugely impacted if deep sea mining plans go ahead. Dredging the ocean floor and moving minerals to the surface disturbs and displaces sediment, as well as destroying habitats and creating noise and toxic chemical pollution.

The deep sea is often portrayed as a desolate abyss, but this is far from the truth. The deep is sea is teaming with life, and intrinsically linked to the high seas and health of our ocean.

If we take from the deep sea, we take from the whole ocean.

learn to dive. Travel the world. Conserve coral reefs 🪸 www.coralcay.org

A group of squid is called a squad 🦑

There is an estimated 300 species of squid and a huge size difference between the smallest and largest.

The biggest species of squid is the Colossal squid, which is also the largest invertebrate species on the planet, reaching up to 14m in length! 🦑🦑

The smallest species of squid is the Southern pygmy squid, with males reaching a maximum length of 1.6cm! 🤏🏽

Join us on an expedition and help conserve coral reefs🪸
www.coralcay.org/expedition-costs

📸Jeff Hester / Ocean Image Bank

Is there anything more beautiful than a healthy coral reef?

Help us keep reefs healthy and join our monitoring team in November, survey coral reefs and collect baseline data 🐟

🐠 www.coralcay.org/expedition-costs 🐠



📸 Jasmine Corbett

Volunteer opportunities for the conservation of coral reefs Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation which works to protect the health of coral reefs in the developing world. Learn more about our work and how you can volunteer on our expeditions.

Are you free in November, or have some annual leave days to take before the year is up?

Join us for 2 or 3 weeks in Sinai and survey our beautiful house reef in Ras Abu Galoum! 🐠

Visit our website for dates and prices

💦 www.coralcay.org/expedition-costs💦

📸 Ocean Image Bank / Umeed Mistery

In March we were fortunate enough to see dolphins on our final dive in Ras Abu Galoum 🐬

Dolphins in the Red Sea have been observed queuing in groups to rub their bodies on the reef. Why?

A recently published paper has found that dolphins in the Red Sea are using coral and medicating their skin, with specific species of coral used for different parts of the body 🤯

Join us on an expedition and see these incredible animals for yourself!

www.coralcay.org

Coral reefs are home to 25% of ocean biodiversity, but take up just 0.1% of the ocean floor.

Coral reefs are an integral part of our ocean, but they are heavily impacted by climate change, overfishing, ocean acidification and habitat loss.

Join us on an expedition, learn to dive and help us collect data that will protect coral reefs 🪸

✨www.coralcay.org✨

📸 Ocean Image Bank / Alex Mustard

Volunteer opportunities for the conservation of coral reefs Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation which works to protect the health of coral reefs in the developing world. Learn more about our work and how you can volunteer on our expeditions.

Eagle Rays are active swimmers and unlike sting rays, do not rest on the ocean floor 💤

Other than the distinctive spots and countershading, eagle rays can also be distinguished by their diamond shape and long tail.

Eagle rays feed on the ocean floor and use their large 'snout' to dig up crustaceans, molluscs and small fish 🦀

Join us on an expedition and help conserve coral reefs, visit our website www.coralcay.org



⁠
📸 Ocean Image Bank/ Toby Mathews

James Lovelock was a climate scientist and the creator of the Gaia hypothesis, a theory that the Earth is a self-regulating community of organisms 🌎

He was an independent scientist and one of the greatest minds in Britain. RIP.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/27/james-lovelock-creator-of-gaia-hypothesis-dies-on-103rd-birthday?fbclid=IwAR2LbmMK-lZBv1wD2H7sL-lTojBVxUbkiMzESm9OYOiZDJ8UpOTcL_S4CDw

James Lovelock, creator of Gaia hypothesis, dies on 103rd birthday The scientist was best known for his theory that the Earth is a self-regulating community of organisms

🦈SHARK WEEK🦈

An ocean without sharks is not an ocean we can survive with.

www.coralcay.org



📸 Ocean Image Bank

Coral reefs are an integral part of ocean health. If we lose coral reefs, we threaten 25% of our oceans' biodiversity 🪸

We cannot afford to lose coral reefs.

Help us monitor coral reef health and have the adventure of a lifetime 🐠

Visit us at www.coralcay.org

📸 Ocean Image Bank / Jordan Robbins

Volunteer opportunities for the conservation of coral reefs Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation which works to protect the health of coral reefs in the developing world. Learn more about our work and how you can volunteer on our expeditions.

Last week the UK reported its hottest weather with temperatures rising above 40°C for the first time ever 🚨

🌞The climate crisis is real and it's happening now🔥

The oceans are the worlds biggest carbon sink and play a crucial role in global temperature regulation.

The oceans are our best weapon against climate change, and we must prioritise the protection and conservation of our ocean before it is too late.

🐠 www.coralcay.org 🐠

Acropora tables are an incredible refuge for cryptic marine animals and small fish 🦀⁠
⁠
They are also an important nursery habitat for many species of reef fish, such as tangs and butterfly fish 🐠⁠
⁠
Acropora corals create a complex 3D habitat for animals to live and hide within. When reef-building corals like this bleach, we lose this structural complexity and habitat 😥⁠
⁠
Join us as a volunteer and help us conserve coral reefs www.coralcay.org⁠
⁠
⁠

If you've ever dived in the Red Sea, you're probably familiar with this vibrant, pink, soft coral 🪸

Soft corals don't get as much attention as hard, reef-building corals, but they are an important part of the reef. They provide habitats for cryptic species, increase reef heterogeneity and biodiversity, as well as providing a source of food for marine animals 🐌

Join us on an expedition in Egypt and learn how to survey coral reefs

🪸 www.coralcay.org 🪸

📸 Ocean Image Bank

Volunteer opportunities for the conservation of coral reefs Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation which works to protect the health of coral reefs in the developing world. Learn more about our work and how you can volunteer on our expeditions.

The long-awaited COP27 will be held in Sharm-El-Sheikh this November while Coral Cay Conservation are in Dahab 🐠

COP27 focuses on Climate mitigation, adaptation and finance.

Countries must work together to make sure our global climate doesn't increase by any more than 1.5°C and rule out a scenario of a 2°C increase 🥵

Find ways to adapt to a warmer planet, and minimise the damage of extreme weather events ⛈️

Achieve the goals of the Paris agreement and ensure countries follow through with financial pledges. This will build more trust between developed and developing countries, showing that actual commitments are being fulfilled rather than empty promises 🫱🏼‍🫲🏿

Join us in Egypt and help conserve coral reefs in the incredible Gulf of Aqaba 🪸www.coralcay.org/volunteer-sinai 🪸

Volunteer opportunities for the conservation of coral reefs Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation which works to protect the health of coral reefs in the developing world. Learn more about our work and how you can volunteer on our expeditions.

Why join us on a Coral Cay Conservation expedition?

🐡 Learn to dive scientifically and become an environmentally conscious diver

🐠 Learn how to ID key invertebrates, corals and fish in the Red Sea

🦐Learn how to survey coral reefs, and collect data for conservation (which will be used for research)

🐋 Become a qualified Open Water/Advanced Open Water diver

Find out more about our upcoming expeditions

🪸www.coralcay.org🪸

📸Matt Curnock/Ocean Image Bank

When you join us in Sinai, you'll learn how to improve your buoyancy and task loading underwater 🫧

Being able to focus on multiple tasks at once is an integral part of scientific diving and survey diving 🐡

You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times, focused on identifying key organisms, communicating with your buddy as well as monitoring your air consumption and depth ⏱️

Want to master your scuba skills and contribute to coral reef conservation? www.coralcay.org 🌞

Today is Women's Dive Day 🐬

Today we celebrate and thank all of the incredible water women, we "big up" female scientists, conservationists and women who have inspired us to love the ocean 🐠

Thank you to all of the women who have fought for inclusion in the dive industry and marine science sector 🐟️



📸 Pash Baker

🦈Shark Awareness Day🦈

Sharks have been misunderstood and vilified for centuries, and this has had a huge impact on shark populations globally.

The media portray sharks as Monsters, Beasts and Killers, but the reality is quite the opposite. Shark bites are responsible for a yearly average of 10 human deaths. A number considerably lower than the 100 million sharks are killed every year by humans... 🩸

Like all predatory animals, sharks should be respected, but they do not need to be feared 💙

Who has been lucky enough to dive with sharks?!

📸 Kimberly Jeffries / Ocean Image Bank

Earlier this week, a shark killing tournament in Florida legally took place with protests, petitions and scientific opposition 🦈

Sharks are apex predators and play an important role in the oceanic ecosystem. Sharks indirectly maintain habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass meadows by shifting the spatial habitat of their prey🐟️

Here's an example... If we lose sharks, larger predatory fish will increase in abundance and more herbivorous fish are eaten. 🐠 Less herbivorous fish means an increase in macroalgae on coral reefs and corals can no longer compete for space/light, shifting coral reef ecosystems to unhealthy, algae-dominated reefs.

If we lose sharks, we lose ocean stability 💙



Join us on an expedition and help coral reefs www.coralcay.org

📸Ocean Image Bank

Sharks belong in the ocean. They are apex predators and have a critical role in oceanic health.

If you are against the killing of sharks for sport, then please take 1 minute to sign this incredibly important petition 🦈

Sign the Petition Help Cancel Shark Killing Tournament In Jupiter, Florida!

Interested in joining our next expedition? Scan this QR code and complete a quick form, and we'll get straight back to you with more information.

Go to our website to see prices and dates for our coral reef conservation expedition to Sinai🪸

Dates for 2023 will be on the website soon 🎉

Corals are extremely specialised animals and can only grow in very specific conditions:

🌡️ Temperatures between 23°C and 29°C

🧂 Salinity range of 32 to 42 ppt

🦠Low nutrient levels (oligotrophic)

☀️Sunlight for photosynthesis

When these parameters fluctuate corals are at an increased risk of disease, bleaching and death.

Now more than ever, coral reefs need help. Join us on an epxpedition at www.coralcay.org/

Globally, we catch an estimated 200 million tonnes of fish each year. A staggering 40% of this is caught unintentionally 🐟

The accidental capture of non-target species has a huge impact on ocean health. Bycatch is unmanaged and not part of landing quotas for fisheries, and animals caught accidentally are thrown back dead or dying 🎣

📣 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣⁠
⁠
We are very excited to announce that we are now officially open for bookings! 💦⁠
⁠
Please visit our website to see dates, prices and information about our expedition to Sinai in November 2022. We will also be updating the website with 2023 dates very soon 🎉⁠
⁠
We cannot wait to get back underwater, survey coral reefs and work towards protecting these incredible ecosystems. Will you join us? 🐠⁠
⁠
https://www.coralcay.org/expedition-costs

An estimated 250,000 turtles are caught as bycatch and die unnecessarily every year.

How? Indiscriminate fishing methods entangle non-target species like turtles, cetaceans and elasmobranchs, as well as non-target fish species 🐬

Ghost nets (abandoned fishing gear) are also very dangerous, and in the Mediterranean alone kill an estimated 50,000 sea turtles a year 🎣😢



📸Ocean Image Bank / Lewis Burnett

Coral reefs globally are facing extinction, with 90% of reefs predicted to be dead by 2050 😔⁠
⁠
Increasing sea surface temperatures as a result of climate change are pushing corals into dangerously warm waters. Corals are spending extended periods of time in temperatures outside of their thermal maxima, and this leads to mass bleaching.⁠
⁠
Unless something changes now, the future for coral reefs is bleak. ⁠
⁠
However, corals in the Gulf of Aqaba in the northern Red Sea are a beacon of hope for coral reefs. These resilient reefs are withstanding temperatures that have bleached coral reefs around the world. While other reefs are dying, this reef system is thriving. ⁠
⁠
Scientists are calling for the Gulf of Aqaba to be named a UNESCO Marine World Heritage Site 🌏⁠
⁠
⁠

If you've volunteered with us in the past and you have 30 mins spare to be interviewed for research into volunteerism, then please email us at [email protected] 🦈

Did you know that Egypt has approximately 1.34% of the world's coral reefs?

This might not sound like an overwhelming figure, but this puts Egypt 15th in the Coral Reef Atlas. Close behind Egypt is the USA with 1.33% of global coral reefs (Egypt has marginally more coral reefs than all the US territories combined!) 🐡

📸 Alex Mustard

Have we spent enough time describing how incredible the reefs are in Ras Abu Galum.....probably not 🐠 🐡 🐬

This is our vibrant, crackling, colourful house reef, conveniently situated about 20 seconds from our base. We will be collecting baseline data on this reef when our first volunteers join us in November.

Dates and prices will be on our website next week! 🐋



📸 IG