Most of the research at the NHRCP falls under the Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP). This program is designed to provide detailed and readily available long-term data for biodiversity, abundance, and health of our local reefs. Data for this program is collected along permanent transects in 11 locations around the island for fish, invertebrates, substrate, and corals (see bottom of page for statistics on our research program and other info). We try to visit each site once per month, and have a database going back over 10 years. In addition to data collection, participants in our program will also be certified in Conservation Diver Ecological Monitoring Program if they fulfill the requirements.
But research doesn’t end at the EMP, we also have many other specific monitoring programs for seahorses, giant clams, sea turtles, coral nurseries, drupella snails, Crown of Thorns, and in fact, all of our current projects also have a research aspect or component.
The world of scientific diving is not only fun, informative, and rewarding; but it can also open doors for future school or career opportunities. Through our program divers can be learn about and be certified in a wide range of internationally recognized research diver programs, including:
-
Conservation Diver Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP) for invertebrates, fish, and corals.
-
Coral Reef Ecology and Monitoring
-
Coral Taxonomy and Identification
-
Coral Diseases Monitoring and Identification
-
Advanced Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP)
-
Artificial Reef Theory and Techniques
-
Coral Nursery Theory and Techniques
-
Mineral Accretion Device Basics and Techniques
-
Giant Clam Nurseries and Population Studies
-
Coral Predators Population Monitoring and Management
-
Sea Turtle Ecology and Head-starting Program
-
Shark Ecology and Population Studies
-
Nudibranch Ecology and Identification
-
Seahorse Ecology and Monitoring
-
Mooring Line Maintenance and Installation
-
Coral Spawning and Larval Culturing Program for Reef Restoration
-
And much more.......