Under the Sea

By Gabrielle Mendelsohn

The group spent the past week on Isla Colón in the Bocas del Toro province of Panama. After being away for spring break, these five days were an amazing way to be welcomed back into the program. The focus of our time on the island was our faculty-led research project on coral reefs. In addition to the project, we had the opportunity to learn about island ecology, coral reef ecosystems, threats to underwater ecosystems, and tourism in Bocas del Toro. As someone who has always loved being in and near the water, these five days passed extremely quickly. However, the time gave me a chance to think more about how important the worlds’ oceans are and how humans interact with them, for better or for worse.

            The bulk of our time in Bocas del Toro was spent conducting our faculty-led research project. On our second day, we dove right into the project. In the morning, we took a boat to a nearby beach to take a quick swim test and learn how to use our snorkeling masks. Afterwards, we collected seagrass for our experiment, in which we investigated the effects of territorial behavior in Three-spotted Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) on herbivory in coral reefs. After collecting the seagrass, we took the boat again to Peet’s Reef, where we jumped into the water in our snorkeling masks and fins. After being instructed on how to identify and locate the fish, we went in pairs of twos and placed three blades of seagrass at 0, 1, and 2 meters from the territory of three damselfish. Over the course of the next few days, we returned to the reef several times to check on our seagrass and take behavioral observations of our three fish. In doing research underwater, I was exposed to a new perspective on the oceans. I had snorkeled before, but when I was made to stop and look more closely at the behavior of one fish, and was forced to think about things like how my presence impacts their behavior and that I should not wear sunscreen in the water because it will harm the coral, I thought about my relationship with these ecosystems differently.

            On our last full day in Bocas del Toro,we went to the other side of Isla Colón, which was a quickly developing area with a burgeoning tourism industry. As the boat pulled up to the dock, you could see the numerous water-front hostels, surf shops, and restaurants. There was trash on the streets and in the water, and walking along the main road of the town, it seemed like more tourists lived there than locals. We discussed the impacts of tourism on the local economy and on the environment. After having spent the last few days snorkeling in a nearby reef, it was disheartening to hear about how it is being disregarded and disturbed. It was difficult to see and learn how the town is developing, unsustainably and without regulations that might lessen the ecological impacts. I was reminded of how important education, sustainable infrastructure, and social and political will to protect the environment are in ensuring that humans can exist alongside nature without harming it. Moreover, I thought about my own impact, and how I, as someone who enjoys traveling and participating in eco-tourism, can educate myself and make more conscious decisions to create a more positive relationship with the environment.