Aldebaran Marine Research & Broadcast

Expedition > BELIZE

The ALDEBARAN is going to visit the world’s second largest barrier reef (300 km long) just off the Belize coast. The continental shelf break is virtually overgrown with corals, and the continental side is made up of a shallow water zone with numerous sandy islands, reefs, and caves.
The shaping elements of the Belize coastal area are the mangrove swamps which are threatened by increasing economic interests in development. The mangrove forests are bordered by coral reefs and sea grass meadows – these mutually dependent systems maintain a fragile balance. The destruction of mangrove swamps to build shrimp farms increases the vulnerability towards accumulating tropical cyclones. Rising water temperatures can cause coral bleaching or even death. Natural disasters like hurricanes can cause severe damage underwater as well, and human influence can only be contained with the greatest efforts.

Almost 20 individual areas are special marine reserves, and the entire coastal area is to be declared a biosphere reserve. Numerous research and conservation institutions are based on the small Cayes, including the legendary marine biology research station Carrie Bow Caye, which is going to be an important focus of the ALDEBARAN expedition in Belize.

Timetable:
26.01. - 01.02.2007	South Coast Cuba > Cancun / Mexico
02.02. - 26.02.2007	BELIZE (Cancun > Belize City & Coast)
27.02. - 02.03.2007	Cancun stopover
03.03. - 25.03.2007	BELIZE 2 (Cancun > Carrie Bow Caye)

ALDEBARAN Marine Research & Broadcast · Deichstraße 48-50 · D-20459 Hamburg · 040-3257210·· web@aldebaran.org