International Surfing Day Benefit Paddleboard Race in La Parguera

The surfing and SUP community from around Puerto Rico are invited to participate in the island's International Surfing Day 2012 event being held as a paddleboard race in La Parguera, Puerto Rico, on June 23rd, at 9 am.  This event is being organized by the Surfing Federation of Puerto Rico and the Rincon chapter of the Surfrider Foundation to raise funds to help protect Puerto Rico's oceans, waves, beaches, and reefs for the enjoyment of all people through conservation, activism, research, and education.  Proceeds from the race will help benefit the Rincon chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, and their volunteer driven water quality monitoring, reef restoration, and outreach and education programs.  Funds will also help booster the Surfing Federation of Puerto Rico to enhance the sport of surfing on the island.  International Surfing Day is a worldwide celebration of the sport of surfing and an opportunity to give back to our coastal environments.  Founded in 2005 by Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine, International Surfing Day has gone from just a handful of local observances in the United States to more than 200 events in 30 countries worldwide.  For more information on International Surfing Day,   visit www.intlsurfingday.com/events/rincon-puerto-rico

La Federacion de Surfing de Puerto Rico junto con el capitulo de Rincon de Surfrider Foundation invita a toda la comunidad de surfing y SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) a participar de "La Parguera Stand Up Paddleboard Race" como evento oficial del Dia Internacional del Surfing 2012.  Este se llevara a cabo el sabado 23 de junio de 2012 a las 9:00am (registros comienzan a las 7:30am) en las facilidades de Aleli Tours, La Pargura, Puerto Rico.  Los fondos recaudados seran dirigidos a promover programas educatios, investigaciones, restauraciones de arrecifes  y activismos para la conservacion de nuestros mares y sus recursos naturales y a la vez seguir creciendo el deporte del surfing en Puerto Rico.  El Dia Internacional del Surfing es una celebracion a nivel mundial fundada en el 2005 por Surfrider Foundation y Surfers Magazine,  para promover el deporte del surfing  y a su vez brindar una oportunidad para dar de nosotros a nuestas costas.  Esta celebracion hoy dia ha pasado de ser una actividad local a mas de 500 eventos en mas de 30 paises a nivel mundial.  Para mas informacion sobre International Surfing Day, puede visitar la pagina www.intlsurfingday.com/events/rincon-puerto-rico 

Lugar/Location:  Aleli Tours, La Parguera, Puerto Rico


Elite 7 miles
Open 3 miles

Cuando/When:  June 23rd 2012
Registros comienzan a las 7:00
Registration begins at 7:00 am
Corrar comienzan a las 9:00
Race begins at 9:00 am

Going Snorkeling? Check your sunscreen label first!

Coral bleaching linked to sunscreen chemicals:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2291012/

Mineral sunblock tends to protect better, is gentler on skin as well as the environment. There are even "reef safe" formulas now designed to protect the habitats we love to enjoy while in the sun.

Check the Evironmental Working Group's site for a full list of eco-conscious sunscreens, updated yearly.

Rip Curl Planet Interview

Your local Surfrider chapter worked with Rip Curl and their environmental program entitled "Rip Curl Planet" at this year's Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 in Isabela, Puerto Rico. What an opportunity to work with a huge sponsor for something local. We tried our hardest to ensure that the dunes of middles beach were protected from people standing on them and smashing the vegetation that keeps the sand in place. As they say, "no dunes, no beach," and we love our beach!

Here is a follow up on Rip Curl Planet and the work they're continuing around the globe to ensure sustainability through their company. I find it interesting that outside sources are investigating what exactly companies plan to do to help. As you may or may not have heard, there is a bit of "green-washing" happening that can mislead consumers into purchasing things with hopes to benefit the planet in some way...and yet that doesn't always happen. Speaking of which, if you'd like to do your own detective work on the "green-ness" of your favorite companies or products, check out www.greenopia.com.

I think this interviewer, Howard, as it states, did a great job of asking specific questions regarding Rip Curl Planet's plans, ideals, and products. See for yourself: Rip Curl Sustainability Interview.

I found this article through an excellent website that I visit often, the Greener Blue.

Surfrider Foundation Rincon Chapter in El Coqui Magazine

There is an article about the work Surfrider did during the Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 Contest up at Middles Beach this past November in El Coqui Magazine. In the January/February issue, located in stores and hotels around town now.

Click on the link, El Coqui Rincon, to read the article or you can read the magazine for free around town. Why not take it to read on the beach?


Here's a shot at a spanish translation. I apologize if it isn't totally correct.

Hay un artículo sobre el trabajo Surfrider hizo durante el Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 Concurso de arriba en el medio de la playa el pasado noviembre en El Coquí Magazine. En la edición de enero y febrero, que se encuentra en las tiendas y hoteles en la ciudad ahora.

Haga clic en el enlace, El Coqui Rincón, para leer el artículo o puede leer la revista de forma gratuita por la ciudad. ¿Por qué no para leer en la playa?

Surfrider Rincon's Big Day Out

Click here to see a pdf. of the story from the Live Ripcurl.com site!  Click here to see the actual link to the site. 

Chapter Event Summary;  Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 at Playa Middles, Isabela


Over the past month, our chapter worked with the Rip Curl Planet Foundation and other local partners including, the Puerto Rico's Department of Natural Resources, Vida Marina at UPRA, Rescate Playas Isabela, Plastic Free Ocean, Coors Light, and ADS (Solid Waste Authority) to implement 4 eco-initiatives in conjunction with the Rip Curl Pro Search 2010, at Playa Middles in Isabela.  The following is a summary of the results from these initiatives.

1.  Coastal and Dune Reforestation -

In total, we planted 462 plants and trees including 60 coconut palm trees, 225 sea grape, 75 emajaguilla, 75 tropical almond trees, and 27 ipomeoa.  These plants and trees were planted at 3 different sites:  Wilderness, Surfers and Middles.  At Wilderness we planted 115 plants and trees, at Surfers we planted 45, and at Middles the primary event site for the Rip Curl Pro we planted 302 plants and trees.  Why were we doing this?  This eco-initiative was done restore the coastal and dune environment by stabilizing the sand, preventing coastal erosion, decreasing sedimentation, and off-setting carbon emissions.

Click here to read more about coastal and dune reforestation.  

2.  Dune Protection

In order to reduce the impact of foot traffic on the sensitive dune environment at Playa Middles, our chapter worked with Vida Marina to build 100' of walkways and install 300' of protective fencing.  This sound a lot more easy than it was.  These features were constructed over a three week time-frame leading up to the event and installed just before the event window began.  Talk about down to the wire!  Just as anticipated, the were a huge success! 

Click here to read more about dune protection.

3.  Recycling

Working on-site with the Rip Curl Planet Foundation, Autoridad de Desperdicios Solidos (the Solid Waste Authority) and Coors Light our chapter helped maintain a clean event site by doing periodic site cleanups, helping to separate and recycle plastic, cans, and cardboard, and transporting the refuse to the proper pickup locations.  Looking back on the effort ways to improve this eco-initiative is to instill an Impact Reduction Strategy by supplying water via a hydration station complete with reusable cups and nalgene bottles.  The cups would need to be provided to all the vendors to be given out as a marketing item and all single-use plastic items would need to be eliminated.  We hope to achieve this at a future event.    

4.  Outreach and Education

The last eco-initiative, and certainly one of the most important was the outreach and education component.  Each of the aforementioned initiatives were done with the help of students, volunteers, stakeholders, the general public, and organizations like Plastic Free Ocean.  For example, the coastal and dune reforestation program included the help of 2 schools from the area:  the Friedrich Froebel Bilingual School in Aguadilla and Escuela Ecológica Niños Uniendo al Mundo from Caguas, PR.  In addition, our chapter had an information booth where we handed out brochures about ways individuals can help to reduce their impact on the planet, ways to help make a positive impact in their communities, about the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, and chapter driven projects including reef and watershed restoration.  Lastly, the Rip Curl Planet Foundation supplied us with some informative signs that were placed around the event site to raise awareness about why coastal and dune forestation and restoration is important and relayed the same messages via commentary during the event.  In total, between our information booth, the outreach and education events, the signs, and the commentary all of the event partners effectively reached at least a 1000 people with positive eco-messages.  The underlying theme of these message sums up SF's mission; the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves, and beaches for all people through conservation, activism, research, and education.

Click here to read more about the outreach and education events.

Below is an image of the coastal and dune reforestation at Playa Middles.  All 302 plants and trees are indicated by an icon.  Note; this satellite image is outdated.  

Turtles, Tubes and Tradewinds Environmental Benefit Show Recap

Last night the communities of Rincon, Aguadilla, Isabela and other locations around the island converged on Machete Rojo near Playa Jobos to help support the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and Rescate Playas Isabela.  The event went off without a hitch and much to our delight we raised a great amount of money to be used to protect the local ocean, waves, beaches and reefs.  The chapter would like to thank Machete Rojo for providing the great venue, the SuperStereos for rocking out, David for doing the sound, Rescate Playas Isabela for their help, and all of the patrons that came to support our cause.  Below are some great photos from the awesome event.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR  OUR NEXT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT SHOW TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 13TH AT THE POOL BAR IN RINCON  

FEATURING THE MUSIC OF THE DIRTY RATS!

We had more than 80 people show up to support the cause.  Here to eco-patrons cruise by our booth and help support our movement. 

The SuperStereos Rip!  We look forward to having them play for us again.  The crowd was amping!

One frothy eco-patron; stoked after winning a Fitzpatrick raffle item.  Congrats!

 Wess, Sal, and Angela stoked to be sharing the good times together.

Congratulations Ernie!!!

Ernie Alvarez a local big wave charger recently completed his circumnavigation of Puerto Rico this past Saturday at Villa Cofresi. He paddled his stand-up paddleboard more than 350 miles around PR to raise awareness about reducing our dependence on plastics, refraining from using single-use plastics, recycling, and being stewards to the environment. His arrival to Villa Cofresi in Rincon on Saturday was well greeted by more than 100 spectators. Congratulations Ernie! Click here to read more about the Plastic Free Oceans campaign and to learn about ways to help save our oceans.



posted by Wessley Merten

The Story of Bottled Water

Ban the plastic bottle!

Earth Day 2010

Cene Para Beneficio Mediambiental / Environmental Benefit Dinner

The chapter of Surfrider Foundation Rincon would like to thank all the participating businesses, restaurants, the band, the DJ, Fundacion Boerman e Hijos Inc., and all the volunteers for making this event a great success. The event was well received and attended and we hope to make it an annual event. Below is a slideshow of photos from the event taken by Derek Smith from Sunshine Photographics. Enjoy!

Menu

Aperitivos / Appetizers

Tapas Bar at Casa Isleña

~Pinchitos de Carne con Jengibre y Amarillos

ginger, soy, and sesame marinated angus skirt steak skewered w/ fresh amarillos

Rincón Tropical

~Una Bandeja de 100 piezas (incluye sorullitos, empanadillitas, taquitos, y rellenitos)

Entradas / Entrees

JR Catering Lechon

~A 50 lbs. Pig Roast

Villa Cofresi

~Villa Cofresi’s Green Salad & Penne Pasta

Shipwrecks Bar & Grill

~Shipwreck’s Signature Salad

Rincón of the Seas

~ A Roasted Leg of Pork

Yakitori Grill at the Pool Bar

~Yakitori Grill’s Signature Sushi

The Rum Shack at the Lazy Parrot

~Rum Shack’s Chicken Pinchos

Bebidas / Drinks

Barefoot Wine

~ Barefoot’s Signature Wines

Banana Dang

~ 3 Airpots of Dang Coffee and Iced Coffee

Postres / Desserts

Marullo Deli & Café

~ An assortment of Dessert Breads. (unconfirmed)

We need desserts!

If you like to bake, bake everyone a cake!

This ‘Environmental Benefit Dinner’ will serve as the kickoff to a series of three events we will be doing to fundraise for the local Rincón chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Funds raised will go towards fulfilling the chapter’s ongoing mission and efforts to restore, protect, and conserve the community’s precious natural resources. Additionally, these events are being organized to raise awareness about the importance of grassroots activism, community participation, the importance of protecting Puerto Rico’s environment. The second event will take place after Earth Day on Saturday, April 24th, and the last event will be held on International Surfing Day on Sunday, June 20th, 2010. More details, including the times and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

This particular event is being sponsored by over 10 restaurants and businesses in Rincon. Food will be served from 5 until 730pm with live music provided by 'Roots Militia' to follow. We will be accepting a minimum entrance fee of $15 dollars at the door. Come enjoy the fun!




Below are logos from all of the sponsors of the event.



Tables, chairs, linens, and decorations will be donated by Ocaciones.



Music by Roots Militia!



With sound by Starmix Audiovisual and Sound Service.



Advertising and poster design. The art was provided by Kurt Ziegler.



Below are all the logos of the restaurants contributing to the dinner.















In addition, Rum Shack at the Lazy Parrot, JR Catering Lechon, and others will be contributing.

Below is the logo to the Fundacion Segarra Boerman e Hijos who graciously donated some funding for the event.

Global Warming and Climate Change in the Caribbean; should we be scared?

Last Thursday night at Surfrider Foundation Rincon's monthly meeting we had a visiting professor, Dr. Amos Winter from the Department of Marine Sciences at UPRM, and his student Juan Estrella present 'Global Warming and Climate Change in the Caribbean; should we be scared?' Below is a summary of their presentation. Some of the information was taken from the work of Wally Broecker.

Dr. Winter started off the presentation by explaining some figures and graphs related to historical climate variability, fossil fuel coupled sea level rise models, and where we should be in relation to our relationship with the environment (we are not where we should be). Before he handed over the rest of the presentation to his student, Juan Estrella, he explained the consequences of global warming and climate change. He mentioned that there are many repercussions of global warming; sea level rise, increase in the frequency and intensity of storms, increased global mean temperature, arctic shrinkage, arctic methane release, increased evaporation, erosion, changes in precipitation patterns resulting in floods and droughts, changes in circulation patterns of marine currents, spread of disease, increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves, economic consequences, global ecosystem out of balance, virus and wars.

Juan Estrella started off his portion of the presentation by leading into a discussion of different scenarios that we are facing. He mentioned that there are different scenarios that you can base the global warming situation off of. The first was coined by the presenters as the ‘business as usual’ scenario in which we continue to burn fossil fuels as we always have (+ 2 ppm/yr). The assumption under this scenario is that energy use will double by 2050 as the global population rises. This will elevate the CO2 concentration (2 ppm yearly will lead to 550 ppm CO2 by 2050 (present concentration = 390 ppm) in the atmosphere. The second scenario presented was the ‘prudent-cap’ where there is an eventual global halt in CO2 input into the atmosphere. They predicted that if the stop was initiated by countries and societies around the world we would still reach 560 ppm before everyone was able to completely become fossil fuel independent. They went on to say that it would take at least 50 years to completely implement a scheme, after it was initiated (~2035), to rid our dependence of fossil fuels. This would be by roughly 2085.

Why is CO2 the culprit for global warming? As sunlight enters the Earths atmosphere as short-wave hi energy radiation it is reflected and re-absorbed as long-wave radiation by CO2 and other greenhouse gases (water vapor, methane, aerosols, etc.) This long-wave radiation is trapped in the atmosphere by these greenhouse gases causing the ‘greenhouse effect’ which increases the global temperature. According to all climatogical models, planet temperature rises when CO2 is added to the atmosphere. In essence, the greenhouse effect is a positive feedback loop where the addition of more CO2 will trap in more long-wave radiation increasing the lower atmospheric temperature leading to an increase in evaporation. Higher evaporation rates produces more gas (water vapor) which traps in more radiation and the cycle repeats itself with the addition of more CO2 into the atmosphere. As a result, the aforementioned consequences arise (i.e. land-based ice melting, sea-level rise, global temperature increase).

According to the presenters the ‘naysayers,’ people in denial of global warming, claim that the warming in the last 30 years was because of the sun (with no supporting data), that warming in the early and late 20th century had no known man-made cause (which is true, but our planets climate has changed on its own as much as we have with greenhouse gases), and that the climate is no warmer than it has been in the last 12,000 yrs (which is also true, but the models predict that if we continue with ‘business as usual’ the temperature will rise far more). With those arguments presented, it is more clear why the majority of the world’s scientists agree that increases in CO2 is inducing an accelerated global climate change.

In order to relieve the environment from these global warming affects, the presenters listed a ‘road map for carbon management.’ They mentioned that we need a world-wide consensus mandating the reduction of the use of CO2, but also to diversify our use of alternate sources. Types of alternate sources that could be used by the world are hydrogen, solar, biomass, hydropower, wind, and nuclear. Some of these are more promising the others. For instance, hydrogen needs manufacturing and it also presents a storage problem so is not collectively thought to be the best option. Biomass production uses as much fossil fuels as it replaces and it presents the problem of fuel versus food. Solar is currently too expensive, but the technology is steadily moving forward so the future in solar may be promising. Wind is largely a local source and not a regional/global source, while nuclear energy looks the most probable for a clean alternative. But, nuclear power presents two problems, waste and probable terrorists attack. While the conservation of CO2 addition and alternate sources of energy are prescisely the way we should be moving we also need to enhance our ability to capture and store the CO2 in the atmosphere. According to the presenters, there was a method developed by Klaus Lackner to capture CO2 molecules and makes them into a liquid. They added that there is a wide range of storage sites being proposed (including deep aquiders, deep ocean, Antarctic lakes, etc.). In the end, the presenters mentioned that we need a ‘leveling of the playing field’ where there is an international agreement to clean the atmosphere by conserving, using alternates, and CO2 capture and storage methodologies.

Part 1 of 2; Tree and Shrub Planting Between Marias and Indicators

This past weekend more than 20 volunteers came out to help plant shrubs and trees around the coastal area of Playa Marias. This initiative is a part of our "Sea to Summit" campaign working towards habitat and coastal restoration. Check out the video slideshow below.



Part two of this series will take place on Saturday November 7th from 8 am to noon. We will meet between Marias and Indicators.



A special thanks to Jim Westfall for providing the art.


This work is being done in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, the Municipality of Rincon, and HC Wooden Pallets, Inc. We would like to thank them for their generosity in helping in this effort.

Please bring yard tools: shovels, rakes, machetes, and weed wackers. Water will be provided.

Part 1 of 2; Tree and Shrub Planting Between Marias and Indicators

This Saturday, October 24th, at 9am at Playa Marias.

Surfrider Foundation Rincon in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, the Municipality of Rincon, and HC Wooden Pallets, Inc. will be planting shrubs and trees from Playa Marias to Indicators. The event will begin at 9 am at Playa Marias. Please bring yard tools: shovels, rakes, machetes, and weed wackers. Water will be provided.



A special thanks to Jim Westfall for providing the art.

The second part of this series will take place on Saturday November 7th. This initiative is a part of our "Sea to Summit" campaign working towards habitat restoration.

Part 1 of 2; 12 new Trash Barrels from Domes to Steps

Below is a slideshow from last Saturday's work installing 12 trash cans from Domes to Steps. Twelve more will be installed in the near future: 4 at the Black Eagle Marina, 2 at Corcega beach (site to be determined), 4 at Parking lots, and 2 more to be determined. If you have a suggestion on an area please let us know. Contact us at salvatrespalmas@surfrider.org




This work is a part of our "Sea to Summit" campaign. The materials were funded by Surf 787 Surf School and Surfrider Foundation Rincon.

Limpeiza Internacional de Costas 19 de septiembre 2009

Sabado 19 de Septiembre 8 por la manana a Playa Marias





Unete a la
Limpieza Internacional de Costas sábado, 19 de septiembre de 2009, para limpiar a todo Puerto Rico. Este es el esfuerzo de conservación más impactante en el mundo limpiando cerca de 100 países este mismo día bajo la dirección del
Ocean Conservancy.

Domes Day in August

Recently, a soccer team from Key West High School in Florida came to Puerto Rico for a soccer tournament and hoped to participate in a community service event in Rincon during their trip. Their coach Jason Clifford contacted SF Rincon to organize this event, a few months prior, in order for the students to fulfill their school's community service requirements. We happily accepted their generosity to come to Rincon to fulfill their community service requirements and we chose Playa Domes as the event site. The event was a huge success given the students resilience to the tropical heat and hard work. After a morning of working, Playa Domes was clean and the hillside was cleared allowing the native trees and plants to thrive more readily.

At this time SF Rincon would like to thank Jason Cliford and his team from Key West High School, along with his chaperones, for making this event possible. SF Rincon would also like to thank the local volunteers that made it out and the Municipality of Rincon for their help providing a trash container for the debris and picking up the leaf and branch litter after the event. Thank you all!

    Celebramos ''International Surfing Day'' y el Solsticio del Verano 

Celebrate ''International Surfing Day'' & the Summer Solstice 

6.20.2009 Playa Steps @ 8 am - 1 pm

Este día nos da una ocasión de promover y de celebrar el deporte mientras que trae conocimiento al estado de nuestros océanos y playas.

Created by SURFING Magazine, this unofficial, official surfers' holiday gives us a chance to promote and celebrate the sport while bringing awareness to the state of our oceans and beaches

El municipio de Rincon y la Fundacion Surfrider les invitana a

Limpieza de Playa Steps / Beach Cleanup at Steps Beach 

@ 8AM

PALETEO / PADDLE - Steps > El Faro > Steps 

@ 10AM

''POT LUCK'' - Almuerzo/Lunch - Playa Steps en Rincon 

@ 12PM

Trae tu tabla, plato favorito, y un amigo

Bienvenidos Todos

Reduce, Reusa, Recicla: Trae Tu Plato, Vaso Reusable, y una silla gracias

Bring your board, favorite dish, and a friend

Everyone Welcome!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: bring your own reusable lunch plate, a glass, and a chair.

Habran regalos, bolsas, guantes para los particpantes.

Para mas informacion/for more Info 787.823.2784 o salvatrespalmas@yahoo.com

Aquatic Art Workshop was a Success!

en español

Everyone had a great time and had an opportunity to show off their artistic talents during the art workshop

Thirty-nine vibrant paintings were completed on the second day of the Aquatic Art workshop offered March 28 at the Jorge Seda Crespo Middle School in Rincón. The young painters also worked on 2 collective canvases and on a giant 70" x 30" coral reef drawing designed by Wess Merten.

At the moment we are creating an "Aquatic Art" coral reef lesson book illustrated with the 39 student paintings done in both workshops. The book will soon be going off to the printer to later be handed out to the students on June 25th (from 7-9 pm) when we will inaugurate the awaited "Aquatic Art" exhibit at the Rincón of the Seas Hotel. We'll keep you informed...

This project sponsored by NOAA's Marine Debris Program is the educational component of the ambitious community driven program "Coral Reef Protection through Marine Debris Removal at Reserva Marina Tres Palmas", where more than 475 tires have been removed, among other debris.

Many thanks to: Nicole Hoover, Wess Merten, Patchouly Banks, Oliver Bencosme, photography by Producciones Burracas, Cuqui González, Alex Henriques, Miriam Pérez, Miriam Juan, Leon Richter, Allison Jones, Freyda Zell, Bermie Ruiz

- AB

¡UN ÉXITO el TALLER de ARTE ACUÁTICO!

English Version

Todos se divirtieron mucho y demostraron su gran talento artístico en el taller de arte.

Trentainueve vibrantes pinturas fueron completadas en la segunda sección del taller de Arte Acuático que se ofreció el sábado 28 de marzo en la Escuela Intermedia Jorge Seda Crespo de Rincón. Los jóvenes pintores además trabajaron en 2 pinturas colectivas y en un dibujo gigante de un arrecife de 70" x 30" el cual Wess Merten realizó a lápiz.

En el momento estamos creando un libro de Arte Acuático con lecciones de corales e ilustrado con las 39 pinturas realizadas por los estudiantes durante ambos talleres. Pronto éste libro se irá a la imprenta para luego ser entregado a los estudiantes el 25 de junio (de 7-9 pm) cuando inauguremos la tan esperada exhibición de "Arte Acuático" en el Hotel Rincón of the Seas. Te mantendremos informado...

Este proyecto auspiciado por NOAA Marine Debris Program es el componente educativo del ambicioso programa de autogestión comunitaria" “Protección de los Arrecifes de Coral a través de Eliminación de Desechos Marinos en la Reserva Marina Tres Palmas” el cual ha logrado extraer más de 475 gomas de la Reserva Marina Tres Palmas en los últimos 2 años, entre otros desperdicios.

Muchas gracias a: Nicole Hoover, Wess Merten, Patchouly Banks, Oliver Bencosme, fotografía de Producciones Burracas, Cuqui González, Alex Henriques, Miriam Pérez, Miriam Juan, Leon Richter, Allison Jones, Freyda Zell, Bermie Ruiz

Rincón Students Build Hydrophones - Can Record Sound Underwater!

On Thursday April 2, 2009, thirty 10th grade students from Brenda Cardona’s science classes at Manuel Garcia Perez High School in Rincón received a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience related to humpback whale research. Graduate student Patchouly Banks of SUNY Buffalo educated the students about the humpback whales that visit Rincón’s coast each winter. Patchouly is part of a team of researchers including Jennifer Schneider and Dr. Eduardo Mercado III who have been coming to Rincón, PR for the past four years to study the songs of the humpback whales. The SUNY team has worked closely with Surfrider on outreach and education during each of their visits.

Their main goal is to locate singing whales and record their songs in order to investigate song function.

In order to do so, they use underwater microphones, called hydrophones. In an effort to make their research more "relatable" to the community, Patchouly taught the students how to build their own simple hydrophones, made from household items, including pennies and balloons. After constructing their hydrophones, the students placed them into buckets of water and listened through headphones to a variety of underwater sounds. The students also heard samples of recordings that the researchers have made here in Rincón, including snapping shrimp, fish, boat noise, and of course humpback whale song! The students really seemed to enjoy building their hydrophones, but they had the most fun using them to listen to the sounds they created in their buckets, including a crackling candy to simulate the sound of snapping shrimp!

Hopefully the students will take away a better understanding of the research that this team carries out here in Rincón, as well as a greater appreciation for the humpback whales.

Patchouly would like to thank Brenda Cardona for her interest and willingness to get her students involved in this project, as well as Annette Blasini of the Rincón Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation for all of her help coordinating and translating! And a big thank you to all of the enthusiastic students! This project was made possible by funding from the National Science Foundation.

For more info, Patchouly can be reached at pnbanks@buffalo.edu