Waikīkī Marine Life Conservation District Field Trip

September 14, 2012

Aloha Students,

• On Friday, September 14, 2012 we’re hoping to create an exciting and educational environment for everyone.

• The goal of the field trip to Waikīkī is to get a better understanding of the distribution of the invasive seaweed Avrainvillea amadelpha and assess the number and size of the collector urchins that were released onto the reef in June 2012.

• There are three jobs that students will be able to perform in Waikīkī. 1. Seaweed/Limu Mappers2. Outplanted Urchin Locators3. Avrainvillea Strike Force

• Each person will be assigned one job for the day.

• Only those that have passed the swim test are eligible to be Seaweed/Limu Mappers or Outplanted Urchin Locators.

• Students that have not passed the swim test will be part of the Avrainvillea Strike Force.

Kapahulu GroinKapahulu Groin

Seaweed MappersSeaweed MappersDutiesDuties: : (3 or 4 volunteers per team)(3 or 4 volunteers per team)Teams of Seaweed/Limu Mappers swim between the Kapahulu groin and the Teams of Seaweed/Limu Mappers swim between the Kapahulu groin and the Natatorium, and log the locations and densities of target seaweed along the reef.Natatorium, and log the locations and densities of target seaweed along the reef.1 or 2 spotters1 or 2 spotters: : Visually scan the reef for target seaweed species, then direct the Visually scan the reef for target seaweed species, then direct the waypoint logger and recorder to the specific site and informs recorder of densitywaypoint logger and recorder to the specific site and informs recorder of density1 waypoint logger1 waypoint logger: : Carries GPS to specific site of target seaweeed and logs the Carries GPS to specific site of target seaweeed and logs the location (waypoint) using the GPSlocation (waypoint) using the GPS1 recorder1 recorder: : Carries clipboard with data sheet to sites of target seaweed and logs the Carries clipboard with data sheet to sites of target seaweed and logs the density of seaweed at that specific site density of seaweed at that specific site Equipment (per team):Equipment (per team): one GPS unit in waterproof bag, one inner tube, one one GPS unit in waterproof bag, one inner tube, one clipboard with data sheet and pencil, masks, snorkels, and fins or other footwearclipboard with data sheet and pencil, masks, snorkels, and fins or other footwear

GPSGPS Unit

NatatoriumNatatorium

Seaweed/Limu Mappers Target Swimming Seaweed/Limu Mappers Target Swimming

Area Area

Outplanted UrchinOutplanted UrchinLocatorsLocators

Native Collector Urchin (Native Collector Urchin (Tripneustes gratillaTripneustes gratilla))

RampRamp

Weigh Weigh

StationStation

DutiesDuties::-Scan urchin outplant site for Scan urchin outplant site for grown collector urchins grown collector urchins ((Tripneustes gratillaTripneustes gratilla) - may be ) - may be the size of a golf ball to that of the size of a golf ball to that of a baseball and could be a baseball and could be UNDER rocks, seaweed, etc.UNDER rocks, seaweed, etc.- Count all urchins seen and Count all urchins seen and estimate sizesestimate sizes- Record all findings on record Record all findings on record sheetsheet

EquipmentEquipment:: mask, fins, and mask, fins, and snorkel, clipboard with data snorkel, clipboard with data sheetsheet

Urchin Outplant Urchin Outplant LocationsLocations

Avrainvillea Strike Force (ASF)

Equipment:- Footwear- Blunt weeding devices - Burlap sacks- Something waterproof and soft to kneel or sit on

Avrainvillea target area

Ramp

Weigh

Station

Duties: (15 – 20 volunteers)- Kneel or sit on something soft like a towel or mat- Use blunt tool (i.e. butter knife or chopsticks) to dig around Avrainvillea and remove the whole plant with the base attached. Repeat until all plants are removed-Place removed plants in burlap sacks- Once full, take sacks to ramp

Base

Avrainvillea amadelpha (Leather Mud Weed)

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/GradStud/smith/websites/Avrain-home.htmhttp://limuwatch.wordpress.com/green-algae/

Not to be confused with …

Microdictyon

Halimeda

Microdictyon

Halimeda

Avrainvillea

Staying Safe in the Marine Environment

For those snorkeling:1. Watch out for surfers, swimmers, snorkelers, and other beach-goers.2. While snorkeling, scan the areas all around you to avoid swimming into things.3. There may be small breaking waves, be aware of where and how they are

breaking to avoid injury.4. Avoid standing. Stand in sandy areas between reef patches.5. When snorkeling in shallow areas, swim using the breast stroke (swim with your

arms). Avoid bending your knees too much; let your arms do most of the work. If you do get stuck on the reef, wait patiently for a small wave to come and raise the water level so you may continue swimming to a deeper area.

6. If you are snorkeling and it seems too shallow, turn around and find a deeper area to swim through.

7. If the water is murky and the visibility is low, swim with your arms outstretched in front of you.

8. Do not put your hands or feet into any holes!!!

Staying Safe in the Marine Environment Cont.

For Everyone:1. Please be aware of yourself and the ocean at all times2. Be courteous of the marine environment and each other3. Do not put your hands or feet into any holes!!!4. Avoid touching marine life5. Have fun!

Checklist

o Swim suito Towelo Sunscreeno Footwear (Crocs, Tabis, other waterproof shoes)o Wetsuit or rash guard for those snorkeling (it gets cold in

the water)o Mask, snorkel, and fins o Optional for those on the Avrainvillea Strike Force: a soft

seat cushion to sit on