Living Oceans Foundation to Survey Inagua's Coral Reefs

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WASHINGTON, D.C., August 2, 2011 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- 


On August 1st, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation launched a second mission of coral reef research in the Bahamas as part of their ongoing Global Reef Expedition. The Foundation's science team, aboard the research vessel Golden Shadow, will head south from Nassau prepared to complete the first ever high-resolution coral reef ecosystem maps of the Inaguas and nearby Hogsty reef.

Combining advanced satellite imagery, aerial photography, and data from hundreds of research dives will yield a comprehensive scientific survey of the reefs.

"Understanding which species live on particular reefs and how they are faring is enormously important for future management of marine resources" said Captain Philip Renaud, USN (ret), the Foundation's
Executive Director. 


"This research will be particularly useful in areas like Hogsty and Inagua that are relatively undisturbed and
difficult to access."

The Global Reef Expedition's work in The Bahamas kicks off the first leg of a five-year, worldwide assessment of the health of coral reefs across the planet. 


His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Sultan, President and Chairman of the Living Oceans Foundation, said, 

"The rich and diverse marine resources of the Bahamas and the vast geographic extent of their islands makes them an excellent choice for the start of our Global Reef Expedition and will set the standard for
such research in other parts of the world."

For 24 full days in August, the Inaguas research mission will fulfill the objectives of the Living Oceans Foundation Global Reef Expedition as well as supporting the scientific goals of collaborators from the Bahamas National Trust, the Department of Marine Resources, the Nature Conservancy, the National Coral Reef Institute, and the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment Program.

Bahamian researchers include: Indira Brown, Lindy Knowles, Agnessa Lundy, Krista Sherman, and Tavares Thompson.

"We are indeed fortunate to have the benefit of research being done by Living Oceans Foundation, to assist us in delineating life in our marine environment," said the Honorable Earl D. Deveaux, Minister of the Environment. "The work of Living Oceans in Inagua will add immeasurably to the work being done by The Bahamas National Trust to
conserve, protect and educate. The Bahamas could not do this work alone and we are forever grateful for the generous support of time, resources and talent to document our environment."

Eric Carey, Deputy Executive Director, Bahamas National Trust (BNT) added, "The Bahamas National Trust and The Bahamas feel extremely privileged to be the first country in the Caribbean to benefit from the Global Reef Expedition."

"We are doubly excited that this second part of the Bahamas expedition will be taking place in Inagua, an area extremely important for marine resources. The surrounding marine area to the 10 fathom mark of Little
Inagua, which is a National Park, will be part of the expedition and the mapping of the coral reefs will greatly assist the BNT in the development of management plans for the park."

The Inagua mission in the southern part of The Bahamas follows a 20-day study by the Foundation in Cay Sal Banks in the western Bahamas in May. The third and final site of research in The Bahamas will take place in Andros and Abaco in October, and will bring to a close the first year of The Global Reef Expedition research operations.

About the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation

Founded by HRH Prince General Khaled bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia, the
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation was incorporated in
California as a 501(c)(3), public benefit, Private Operating
Foundation in September 2000. With its headquarters in Washington DC,
the Living Oceans Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and
restoration of oceans of the world, and champions their preservation
through research, education, and a commitment to Science Without
Borders®.

For more information, visit: http://www.livingoceansfoundation.org and
http://www.globalreefexpedition.com.