Day 9: Turtle Rock, Hol Chan
and Shark-Ray Alley
After taking a break from snorkeling yesterday and our trip
to the mainland, it was back in the water this morning with stops at
Turtle Rock, Hol Chan (for the second time) and then on to Shark-Ray
Alley. Turtle Rock is a location used by local fisherman to clean
their catch. The scrapings attract a lot of fish and other marine
life, including a large Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Hol Chan was once
again an impressive sight with schools of large jack, snapper, and
grunts. One surprise visitor was a Spotted Eagle Ray which made a
couple of passes by the class. From there it was on to the much
anticipated Shark-Ray Alley. After chumming the water with sardines,
we attracted a large audience of nurse sharks and stingrays. With some
apprehension, the students gingerly slipped into the water to interact
with the gathering group of elasmobranchs. Put your mind at ease, the
students returned with all body parts intact. After a filling supper,
the students presented their project results, which included a
simulated attack by a Dusky Damselfish on a older Blueheaded Wrasse.