Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Earlier this year we wrote about the Reef Check program being sponsored by the Punta Sayulita Foundation. According to the last scientific study of the islands, it was determined that these islands possess the greatest abundance of reef fish, home to 103 of the 159 registered species in the bay, as well as diverse species of coral.

Recently Reef Check team member Raquel Minerva Zamora Domínguez attended the 6th Annual Mexican Coral Reef Conference held in Ensenada, Baja California. At the conference, Minerva presented the findings from the first two Reef Check scientific monitoring surveys at the Marieta Islands in Punta Mita conducted earlier this year by the Punta Sayulita Foundation.

Some of the most important names in the field of Mexican coral reefs were present, as well as students from all over the country who are just starting their studies of this remarkable habitat. Minerva reported that she was able to have exciting conversations with her colleagues about the Reef Check worldwide conservation and outreach program as well as introduce the adaptation of the Reef Check scientific protocol developed by Dr. Gregor Hodgson, Reef Check’s Executive Director.

Minerva also expressed that her attendance at the conference provided her an unbelievable opportunity to create an important network of connections and to learn about cutting-edge research that is taking place in other parts of Mexico and to make others aware of the scientific work that is being done by the Reef Check team in the greater Sayulita/Puerto Vallarta area.

Following is an article and video from the New York Times about Reef Check that appeared about Reef Check’s work in Haiti. As you will see from the video, Dr. Gregor Hodgson did the same for us here in Sayulita/Bay of Banderas in starting-up the Reef Check Eco Diver Program.

For more information, contact the Punta Sayulita Foundation.