Exploradores Marinos Learn About Planktons on Culebra!

Exploradores Marinos participated in a workshop at the Fishermen's Association. The workshop featured plankton expert Dr. Angel F. Olivares Chicon, from the University of Puerto Rico. Explorers actually sat still for the lecture, as Dr. Olivaris did a great job gearing the lecture to the audience. Explorers had a lot of questions. After the lecture, Dr. Olivares helped explorers created their own plankton nets out of nylons. Luis from Culebra Island Tours took Explorers out on his boat to capture plankton with the real net Dr. Olivares brought from the University. Kids tried out their nets in the canal and actually caught a juvenile shrimp and copopods, which is really unheard of for the home made rigs. Dr. Olivares helped the kids observe what they captured under the microscope, and also identified specimens from a key.
Many thanks to these Plankton workshop sponsors:.
Dr. Olivaris for his time, patience and expertise,
The University of Puerto Rico for Dr. Olivaris, and the use of lab equipment,
Luis of Culebra Island Tours for taking Explorers out to collect plankton,
Mamacitas and La Asociacion de Pescadores de Culebra for donating lodging,
Centro de Apoyo a la Familia for helping to coordinate participants,
Marsha who is always there to lend a hand, and,
R.D. Medical who loaned us their overhead projector and offered their
cafeteria as a meeting place for future workshops.

Gamalier was Tech Man for the day, downloading software and working on computer while Makuto took many photographs.
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Makuto photographing Angel Olivaris, photographing Makuto!
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Chez Wilfredo. Wilfredo was the chef and bar tender.
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Dex eatin lunch...
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Mustard shot of Kevin, again great shot Makuto!
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

'why would plankton be important to me?
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Hey Makuto, great shot of the professor!
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Don't say it!
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Comb jelly featured in plankton lecture...
Photo by Makuto - Nelson Villa Nueva

Lets catch the plankton!
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

The blessing by Makuto...
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Makuto's new style.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Step 1: stretch the nylons over your head.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

The kids begin with a wire ring and then hook the nylons over the ring.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Wilfredo talking to his net!
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Put the weights on your sampling container before you tie it to the net.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Makuto, Gamito and Marsha waving in the background.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Dex hooks the sampling cup on his net...
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Makuto and Gamito almost done.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

What are they up too?
Photo by Makuto (Nelson Villanueva)

Dr. Olivares brought all this equipment in one small container, the sign of an accomplished camper.
Photo by Makuto (Nelson Villanueva)

Wait a minute.....who is making the plankton net?
Photo by Makuto (Nelson Villanueva)

Did somebody glue Alan to the scope?
Photo by Makuto (Nelson Villanueva)

Success!.....showing off the new nets. Wilfredo, Makuto, Gamito Dr. Olivares, Kevin, (f) Alan, Kendrick and Dexel. Kendrick actually redesigned his net using a juice container which ended up catching better than the official sampling containers. Professor Olivaris too emty juice containers back with him for other community outreach programs. Way to go Kendrick!
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Gamito playing a copopod. This was like a cross between a Hemingway fishing story and and a Tenessee Williams play.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Hey, gettin' any bites?
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Luis picks up the rag tag, fugitive Explorers...are you sure you know what your in for dude?
Too late now...they're onboard with the net! Gamito helps with the plankton net.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Heading out through the canal.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Dex hates the water.....
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Makuto gets the water ready to flush out the critter caught in the plankton net when it is pulled out of the water.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Kendrick, Gamito and Makuto with El Yunque on the big island peaking through Cayo Luis Pena in the distance...
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Release the net! Net Ho!
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Luis ran the boat very slowly and we towed the net for about five minutes.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

What'd we get? What'd we get?
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

WOoah look what we found. Kendrick and Alan inspect the treasure. More phytoplankton than last year. Heavy rains and nutrients from soil spilling into the water have taken their toll.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Alan is still glued to the scope...
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Gamito checking through his sample as Alan and Kevin look up organisms on the key.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking

Gamito, Alan and Dex torment the plankton they captured.
Photo by Mary Ann Lucking