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Montego Bay Marine Park Jamaica
     
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June 2004

Volume I
Issue 6
   
June...what happened?
The Green Expo in Kingston, Hannie's Memorial Service, and some turtles!
Green Expo 2004 (4th-6th)
The Green Expo 2004
Heather Crawford and Heather McFarlane explain sea life in the Montego Bay
Andrew Ross shows his audience a preserved Nurse Shark
The Green Expo is an event held every year by the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT). The Montego Bay Marine Park's booth gave information about the Park, marine life, responsible behaviors and scuba diving. The booth included underwater video footage and a hands-on display of marine life and scuba equipment. Many school groups benefited from the exhibit, as well as other interested parties from across the island.
Japanese Peace Boat Visit (8th)
Japanese tour on the Peace Boat visit

The Japanese Peace Boat, which travels around the world for three months, visited Montego Bay for a day. The Montego Bay Marine Park had the distinction of filling their day with activity, including a presentation on the the work of Dr. Tadaomi Nakai and a tour of the Marine Park, including the Bogue Lagoon Fishing Sanctuary. The day ended with a scrumptious local lunch at Pier 1 and some souvenir shopping in the Park gift shop.
Sandals Royal Caribbean Green Expo (11th)

Jessica and Michael managed a display booth at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Green Expo on June 11th. The event featured a number of speakers and presenters. The event was part of Sandal's environmental awareness program, and was organized by its "Green Team."
Hannie's Memorial (19th)
Theo Smit and Caroline Silsbury with the memorial plaque
"Hannie's Reef" in memory of Hannie Smit- Van Halen, for her care and passion of Montego Bay's marine life (June 19, 2004)
Hannie Smit was a wonderful person, and a tremendous influence on the Montego Bay Marine Park. Sadly, she passed away earlier this year. As a memorial to her, the Marine Park, with the help of Underseas Tours, scheduled a dive on July 19th. We went to Hannie's favorite reef, "The Classroom" at Unity Hall. Along with the reef being renamed in her honor, a plaque was placed at the reef as a small memorial.
Turtle Nesting at Half Moon (22nd)
Turtle nesting site

A hawsbill turtle reportedly nested on the beach at Half Moon Hotel one evening, right next to a well-lit and busy restaurant/bar terrace. Fitzmaurice and Heather C. visited the site to document the event and make recommendations for protection of the nesting site. The turtles should hatch after about 60 days.
Happy Hour Corner

This month's Stakeholder Happy Hour Presentation topics were as follows:

June 3 - Coral Diseases (Lorraine Daniel)
June 10 - Composting (Michael Loftin, MBMP)
J une 17 - ODPEM: Hurricane Preparedness (Roland Haye)
June 24 - MBJ's environmental improvements at the Sangster Int'l Airport (Orville Grey)

The presentations are open to the public and take place Thursday evenings at 7pm at Pier 1.
Coming up in July
• REEF Fish Count
 
 
Thanks for joining us, and have a nice Bay!
     
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