Science and Nature

(CNS): A NASA team is currently probing deep into the frozen lands above the Arctic Circle. The scientists are measuring emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane from thawing permafrost -- signals that may hold a key to Earth's climate future.  The permafrost zones above the Arctic Circle in Alaska hold tons of carbon and methane trapped in ice but as the frozen ground melts as a result of global warming the gases are released into the atmosphere. The principal investigator of the Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment (CARVE), a five-year NASA-led field campaign studying how climate change is affecting the Arctic's carbon cycle. Said it was critical to understanding global climate.

(CNS): The invasive lionfish, which has become a serious threat to the marine life in the Caribbean, has now found its way into the waters of Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, scientists believe. According to research undertaken by scientists from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research in Italy, published this week, the discovery of two lionfish at the end of 2012, more than two decades after the one and only species recorded there was captured, indicates a future potential invasion of the sea. As a result, the researchers have raised the alarm to begin an awareness campaign before it is too late.

(CNS): As winners of the marine education competition One Ocean One Planet developed by the CCMI kids from George Town Primary school enjoyed a two day stay at the Little Cayman Research Centre recently. The students got the chance to snorkel in the pristine seagrass beds and coral reefs around Little Cayman where they had the opportunity to use their newly acquired skills learned during the contest to identify native fish and coral species. For many, this was a first-time snorkelling opening up a whole new underwater world. They also learned about Cayman Islands cultural history and terrestrial conservation at the National Trust, at the Booby Pond Reserve-one of the last nesting grounds for the Red Footed Booby.

(CNS): The National Hurricane Centre in Miami issued warnings of possible tornadoes across central Florida this morning following the formation of Tropical Storm Andrea in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday night. By Thursday morning the first tropical storm of the Atlantic season was heading northeast moving at 14mph towards the Florida big bend, giving residents in the area little preparation time. Located at around 160 miles west of Tampa and about 140 Miles south of Apalachicola Florida, forecasters said that Andrea was packing winds of 60mph and was some 140 miles across but it was not expected to strengthen further before reaching the coast.

(CNS): Residents in the South Sound area are once again raising environmental concerns about development in the area, having learned that blasting that is set to take place to create inland lakes as part of a new residential project. Residents in the old Crewe Road area have been informed in a letter from a company called Apec Consultants that the developers of the project, RC Estates, had instructed them to do a structural survey of homes in the area in preparation for the blasting. Having received no notice from any government authorities about the proposal and with no details on where or how deep the blasting would be or what mitigation would be employed to protect the properties affected, residents are concerned about their homes as well as the environmental impact to the community.

(BBC): An environmentalist campaigning for the protection of endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica has been found dead in a suspected killing by smugglers. Jairo Mora was reportedly found face down with his hands tied on Moin beach, 105 miles east of the capital, San Jose. Vanessa Lizano, the owner of the turtle sanctuary where Mora worked, said he had been killed because of his work. Sea-turtle eggs are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world. Lizano told the BBC: "Jairo went on patrol with some volunteers and they were attacked by armed men. "It was him they wanted, because he was the one who was always looking after the nests."

(CNS): As Cayman sat under a cloud of rainy weather on the eve of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane season Friday, meteorological experts were warning of busy season ahead. Some forecasters are pointing to an “extremely active" hurricane season. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US have said they expect to see 13 to 20 named storms. This range means the season should be an "above normal and possibly an extremely active" one, said Kathryn Sullivan, NOAA's acting director. Sullivan said that NOAA expects to see seven to 11 hurricanes, those storms with sustained winds of at least 74 mph, of which six are likely to be major hurricanes category 3 or above with winds of 111 mph or more.

(CNS): With the country’s attention firmly focused on the political storms, the impending arrival of the Atlantic Hurricane Season on 1 June has taken a back seat for many people. However, local officials are urging everyone to begin their preparations during the forthcoming holiday weekend. Monday 20 May is the National Day of Preparedness, with this year’s theme focusing on things people need to survive a major storm. The theme "Get your preparedness kit together!" urges residents to consider what they need and get stocked up before the season starts.

(CNS): Botanist, orchid enthusiast and retired long-serving Chief Fire Officer was honoured last week at the Queen Elizabeth Botanic Park in a ceremony that saw the Visitors' Centre renamed for him. A large granite sign now proclaims the Kirkland Nixon Visitors' Centre which was unveiled by his wife. The renaming of the Visitors' Centre was proposed by Tourism Attraction Board's CEO Gilbert Connolly last year in "recognition of Nixon's connection and contribution to the park. Nixon served as the first chairman of the steering committee created in 1994 to establish the Botanic Park and as Chairman of the Tourism Attraction Board since 2002.

(CNS): As the local marine environment waits on politicians to make a decision about conserving its future, news from the science community suggests that Cayman and other Caribbean reef systems can be saved from collapse with fishing and pollution controls.  Work undertaken by researchers with the Future of Reefs in a Changing Environment (FORCE) found that it is possible to maintain reefs but it requires countries to take the management of their reefs seriously and global action to address climate change. The Department of the Environment has undertaken extensive consultation about the pressing need to enhance Cayman’s marine parks and control local fishing but the urgency for action has not yet attracted the political commitment needed.

(CNS): The relatively uncommon but beautiful phenomenon of a solar halo was visible in the sky over Grand Cayman on Wednesday lunchtime when a perfect rainbow circle appeared around the sun. According to scientists, the prism effect of these sun rainbows are caused when the light from the sun is seen through high, thin cirrus clouds that are made of ice crystals. Although not necessarily rare, they are not an everyday sight and are incredible things to see when they do appear.

(CNS): Ocean Frontiers in Grand Cayman has unveiled an underwater webcam that is streaming live video from a shallow reef on the island’s remote East End to the rest of the world. The dive resort said that the ‘ocean-cam’ is part of a monitoring project that has just been launched in partnership with Teens4Oceans, a non-profit organisation that encourages young people to get involved in the stewardship of the ocean through research, technology and education. With this new equipment teenagers from across the world will be watching what is happening on Cayman’s reefs. The ocean-cam was installed by Steve Broadbelt, owner of Ocean Frontiers, with the help of 16-year-old Parker Lindsay.

(CNS): The CCMI has will be awarding with 85 local students with scholarships this year to attend programmes run by the marine institute based in Little Cayman. These include fifty Ocean Literacy and eleven Young Environmentalist Leadership Course full scholarships as well as ten Sea Camp scholarships this year. Officials from the CCMI said it provides a variety of education programmes to train a new generation of leaders, researchers, policymakers and resource managers about the marine. Courses are offered at the Little Cayman Research Centre to provide unique opportunities for hands-on experience in a pristine marine ecosystem and interaction with resident educators and scientists.

(CNS):  Nearly 600 lionfish were culled in the Foster’s Food Fair Earth Month Lionfish Tournament over 24-hour period this weekend. Eight culling teams, which were sponsored by restaurants across the islands and 48 people took part in the marathon attack on the fish throughout Cayman waters. Tukka in East End was the winning restaurant as their team, the Teal Tigers, brought in 198 lionfish. 75% of the catch from the teams went to the restaurants while the remaining 25% was delivered to Foster’s Food Fair for sale in the seafood section. In total 587 fish were caught weighing a collective 438lbs.

(CNS): The new Doppler Weather Radar, which was officially opened on Thursday morning, will be named after the former chief officer in the ministry responsible for weather, Kearney Gomez. The radar in high rock East End was formally commissioned on Thursday and is scheduled to become operational ahead of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season once the final testing is completed. This radar will fill a gap in the existing regional network, allowing for a more complete early warning system across the Caribbean. The radar was funded with a €4.16 million grant from the European Union.