EarthRehab & World Ocean Day 2008 recap and photos 

We celebrated World Ocean Day on June 7^th and 8^th for 2008.

EarthRehab joined the Friends of Jupiter Beach at 8am for a beach cleanup, and made sure that any volunteer that participated received a Green License Plate complimentary.

The Green License Plate campaign is a fundraiser for Nature Research. The Worlds most productive and respected Environmental Foundations and Sanctuaries receive the proceeds from the sale of the $10 plate. Visit EarthRehab today and see who is involved.

One June 7^th and 8^th at 11am we arrived at Coral Cove Park in Jupiter for a Group Snorkel.

EarthRehab explained the different habitats the group would encounter, Live Rock, Brown Algae, Worm Rock, Sponge, Red Algae, Sea Grass, and Limestone. We expected to see many Tropical Fish on the Reef because the visibility was greater than 20’.

So what did the Ocean Adventurers see underneath the water on this Coral Reef Eco-system?

A Green Sea Turtle, Manatee, Barracuda, Snook, Jacks, Blue Fish, Cuttlefish, French Grunt, Hog Fish, Angel Fish, Damsel Fish, Gobies, Blennies, Sergeant Major, Basslet, Parrotfish, Blue head Wrasse, and a Nurse Shark.

EarthRehab explained that the fish stock levels were down due to the Algae and Sediment buildup. Then to illustrate the point we took a deck brush out to the reef and cleaned small sections to allow the snorkelers an opportunity to see the Mature Purple Live Rock beneath. As we scrubbed the reef massive amounts of Tropical Fish showed their appreciation and searched the Live Rock for Invertebrate Worms.

The mature Live Rock that is present on this Reef could host several species of Invertebrate Soft Corals and Sponges if given the chance.

Learn more about the EarthRehab Coral Reef Initiative Here.