Category: Conservation

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Ascension welcomes ‘Bullseye’ to enhance Marine Conservation

 

Bullseye being taken for its first outing. Photo by Lorna West.

AIG is delighted to announce the arrival of ‘Bullseye’, the new tender for the Conservation and Fisheries Directorate, generously funded by the UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme. This acquisition marks a significant upgrade from the previous tender, which was unfortunately lost a few months ago during stormy weather.

This new tender, equipped with a functioning motor, promises to enhance the efficiency of weekly fieldwork. The ability to moor the vessel ‘Moray’ in Clarence Bay overnight offers the team greater flexibility and time to conduct crucial marine science research.

The tender is aptly named ‘Bullseye’, after the local name for the glasseye snapper, Heteropiacanthus cruentatus, a nocturnal fish indigenous to Ascension, known for its bright red colour and lives in caves and under ledges. The name reflects the Directorate’s commitment to the preservation and study of local marine life. A bullseye ventures out of its dark cave to investigate a diver.

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Photo taken by Cath Bailey.

This addition feels akin to an early Christmas gift, and the Directorate is optimistic about the many years of service ‘Bullseye’ will provide in support of marine conservation efforts. The Directorate extends heartfelt gratitude to the Blue Belt Programme for their support and to the AIG’s Marine team, whose assistance has been invaluable in maintaining the continuity of fieldwork during challenging times.

Category: Conservation

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Blue Marine Foundation Visit Ascension

Dr Judith Brown, Projects Director, and Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine, revisited Ascension Island from 20 to 25 November 2023. This was Jude’s first return since her tenure as Head of Conservation and Fisheries from 2013 to 2017, while Clare had last visited in November 2016.

Their visit focused on maximizing the benefits for Ascension, home to one of the world’s largest no-take marine protected areas (MPAs).

Clare Brook addressed the Ascension Island Council, highlighting the island’s contribution: “Ascension has made a gift to the world by protecting an area of exceptional biodiversity nearly the size of France. It’s important that the world recognises Ascension and that the community benefits from having such exceptional marine protection.

In 2021, the Blue Marine Foundation established the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area Community Trust (AIMPACT) fund. The idea is for the fund to pay at least £60,000 a year (the amount that Ascension used to make from the sale of licenses to long-line fishing vessels), every year, in perpetuity, to be spent on things that benefit the Community, Heritage, Education or the Environment. But until now, the MoU had not been signed, so £160,000 was waiting to be spent.

Clare and Jude came to ‘unblock’ this funding. The MoU was signed by Clare and the Administrator, Simon Minshull. A committee on the island will receive ideas from anyone with a good plan on how the AIMPACT funds should be spent and then decide on the best/most feasible proposals. All that Blue Marine requests in return is that people remember that the money is there due to the MPA.

Jude and Clare were delighted to meet so many people on the island including the Administrator, the Head Mistress, the US base Commander, the Head of Operations, the Conservation Team and the Fishers Association. ‘Everyone has been so welcoming‘, said Jude, ‘it’s wonderful to come back‘.

Clare and Jude visited some of the island improvements that Blue Marine has funded over the years, including the restored Turtle Ponds, the steps up to the top of Green Mountain, the science lab in the school, and the Long Beach Hut. They said, ‘It’s been our pleasure to support Ascension over the years. It’s such an extraordinary place that now has some of the most pristine waters on earth, thanks to the MPA. Ascension has a very special place in our hearts. We can’t wait to come back and see you all again!’

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This snapshot from Global Fishing Watch shows how well protected, and how huge, Ascension’s EEZ is. Lighter blue squares show fishing vessels – huge long-liners with up to 100km of baited hooks. Ascension’s (and St Helena’s) waters are completely free from industrial fishing. This is a model for the world and everyone on Ascension should be incredibly proud.

Category: Conservation

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Beach Clean 2023

On Saturday, 04 November, the Ascension Island community came together to clear the island’s turtle nesting beaches of invasive plants and litter in readiness for the upcoming turtle season. An impressive turnout of approximately 96 volunteers worked across various locations.

Beach Clean1

Above – volunteers from the USSF Base cleared Pan Am Nature Reserve

Beach Clean2
Above – volunteers tackled the weeds growing on Deadman’s Beach. Turtle hatchlings can become entwined in the root system of these weeds, so this is an important task to conserve the species.

Beach Clean3
Above- volunteers from Air Tanker helped to clean the Pierhead Beach

Beach Clean 4
Above- Ascension’s young people cleaned Long Beach Nature Reserve

Beach Clean 5

Beach Clean 6
Above- volunteers enjoying a well-deserved BBQ supplied by Yang Enterprises

A big thank you to Yang Enterprises for providing food for the BBQ and to Terrence Young (Spud) and James (Rookie) for doing an amazing job cooking for all the volunteers!

A massive thank you to Robert Yon and Romeo Andaya (Yang Enterprises) for co-ordinating beach cleans across Grubby Beach, Springers and Pan Am over the last week as well as for their behind-the scenes support. Also thank you to Peter Williams, Damon Bowers and David Beard for supporting with vehicles, skips and coolers to make the day a success.

Lastly, heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers whose commitment to protecting our beaches is invaluable in conserving Ascension’s turtle habitat. Your contributions are deeply appreciated.

Category: Conservation

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Mexican Poppy (Argemone mexicana)

The Mexican Poppy, a visually striking yet ecologically troublesome plant, has its origins in Mexico. First documented in Ascension during the 1820s by visitors, this highly invasive species has since permeated the lower regions of the island and is progressively ascending to higher regions. Its unique method of reproduction—solely through seeds—poses a considerable challenge for containment efforts.  The seeds can remain dormant for extended periods, thereby adding to the difficulty of control. The dispersal of seeds occurs through a variety of mechanisms, including farm equipment, water, vehicles, animal hides, hay, and various grains.

Each year the local community unites to eliminate the Mexican Poppy and other invasive weeds from critical turtle nesting beaches. Removing these plants makes it easier for adults to dig their nests and prevent hatchlings from being obstructed on their way to the sea. This year’s beach clean will be the 4th of November, so please save the date and help us tackle these invasive weeds.

Description

  • Erect with pale green prickly leaves with bold white venation.
  • Bright yellow open flowers.
  • Up to 1m tall.
  • It’s a Pioneer plant that readily colonises recently disturbed soil.
  • Typical poppy seed capsule with tiny dark seeds.

The spiny leaves of Mexican poppy contain white, latex-based poisonous sap, making them toxic and bitter to grazers.

Culturally, Mexican Poppy is used as an infusion to relieve post-natal kidney pain. It was called “cardosanto” when the Spanish colonised Sonora and Argemone was taken as a laxative. In Mali the plant is used in tea to treat malaria. It is also used in India where the sap and sometimes the whole plant are used in traditional medicine to treat jaundice.

The Mexican Poppy is both beautiful and problematic. Its spread poses challenges for local ecology, especially turtle nesting beaches, but it also has cultural and medicinal uses. Understanding this complex plant is key to managing its impact effectively.

Category: Conservation

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163 Plastic Bottles Found on Ascension’s Remote Southern Coastline

Last weekend, the Plastic Project Coordinator, supported by Conservation Interns, undertook a survey at four secluded beaches along Ascension’s southern shoreline.

cleanup1  cleanup2  

The survey documented a total of 450 litter items. Predominantly, the litter comprised of water bottles (117 items), foam fragments (98 items) and hard plastic fragments (89 items). Plastic drink bottles and bottle caps were notably collected. Such items  are prioritised due to their richness in data, offering insights into the origins of the debris and the rate at which they are deposited on the coast. 

qw qw  

To date, these investigations have ascertained that the bottles and caps have origins spanning countries including China, Malaysia, India, Algeria, Greece and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This contributes to our understanding of global plastic pollution pathways and how they affect our remote island.

Photos by Lorna West

Category: Conservation

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Montane Mist Region

                                                                                         

Photo by Matt Wall

Ascension Island’s cloud forest zone, or mist region, is confined to the summit slopes of Green Mountain. The area is frequently enveloped by cloud banks, resulting in perpetually damp conditions. Although the ecosystem shares many of the features of a true cloud forest, the original vegetation of this zone was treeless and dominated by ferns and bryophytes, including several endemic species.

Most of these native habitats have been replaced by a novel ecosystem of introduced species like yellow boy, guava, ginger and bambooHowever,  isolated pockets of native vegetation still survive on the most exposed slopes and outcrops. The mist region remains the centre of botanical diversity within the Territory, supporting populations of 15 out of the 18 known endemic plant species , such as purple fern (Ptisana purpurascens), hedgehog grass (Sporobolus caespitosus) and moss fern, (Stenogrammatis ascensionensis). The native fauna is  composed of a limited number of invertebrate species, vastly outnumbered by introduced counterparts. One unique resident of this ecosystem is the endemic moth, Gray’s fungus moth (Erechthias grayi),  This moth has evolved smaller wings so that it does not get blown away off Green Mountain and has evolved to hop instead of fly.

 Photo by Adam Sharp

The montane mist region is Ascension Island’s most restricted bioclimatic zone, confined to an area of less than 1 square kilometre.  This region encompasses the summit ridge and uppermost slopes of Green Mountain. Due to the lack of detailed habitat mapping and climatic data, an elevation range between 660 and  870 meters is generally used to describe the mist-affected area. However, it’s important to note that the prevailing south-easterly trade winds likely create some variations in conditions between the windward and leeward slopes.

Invasive species posethe most immediate threat to the ecological integrity of the mist zone; these introduced species have already smothered large tracts of prime native habitat. The impact extends to Green Mountain National Park, where invasive growth obstructs footpaths and hinders panoramic views of the Island.

 

Photo by Vicky Knight

Climate change presents  a potentially significant, but unpredictable, long-term threat. Global trends suggest rising temperatures and reduced low-level cloud cover could displacemany high-altitude cloud forests. In the case of Ascension Island, even a minor increase in the altitude where clouds form could mean that Green Mountain would lack its characteristic mist region for a significant part of the year. This would fundamentally alter both the hydrology and ecology of this unique montane ecosystem.

Preserving this rare and delicate bioclimatic zone remains a high-priority conservation goal for Ascension Island, especially in the face of immediate invasive threats and the longer-term uncertainties posed by climate change.

Conservation and Fisheries Directorate

11 September 2023

Category: Conservation

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Marine Protected Areas Day

For the first time, students from three remote British islands in the South Atlantic Ocean have come together to share their love of the ocean for Marine Protected Areas Day (1 August).

Children from the UK Overseas Territories of St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island have produced and exchanged videos about their island life and their ocean. In making the videos, the children have learnt more about the unique marine environments and marine life surrounding their island homes.

With support from Tristan da Cunha’s ‘Atlantic Guardians’ project (RSPB, Tristan da Cunha Government and Blue Nature Alliance), the Ascension Island MPA Youth Committee, and St Helena’s National Trust, this knowledge exchange is the first time the young people across the Territories have come together to share their experiences and pride about their islands and marine environments.

The children from St Mary’s School on Tristan da Cunha celebrated Marine Protected Area Day by watching the videos from their neighbouring islands. They created postcards and posed some questions to the other children about their marine environments. The children from Tristan and St Helena also made and shared marine themed comic books about plastic pollution.

A student from St Mary’s School on Tristan da Cunha said “What we love about our island is the freedom we have and how we all help each other. Our ocean is enormous and mysterious, and we rely on it for our food. There is so much yet to be discovered.”

A member of the Ascension Island MPA Youth Committee said “It’s a unique place because it’s so small and everybody knows each other. It’s an open and safe area and it’s a simple lifestyle here. I love this island because of the beaches and the sea, there’s lots of things to see when you swim in the ocean”.

Andy Schofield, RSPB Government Partner Territories, Programme Manager, said “We hope this video exchange will be the first step in creating a South Atlantic Marine Schools Network where lesson plans, marine themed events and experiences can be shared across the island communities to help them better understand their marine environments and stand together to protect them. Getting the children involved in marine conservation from a young age will help to secure the next generations of custodians for their Marine Protected Areas. We hope that this is the start of a future of cross-territory working where each island feels a kinship to being guardians of the Atlantic”.

A student from Pilling Primary School, St Helena said “St Helena is special because you can swim or snorkel and see endemic fish, like the green fish.”

Within the last decade, these three islands have designated their waters as Marine Protected Areas, meaning they have clearly defined areas of water that are protected and managed to safeguard their marine life and livelihoods.

The marine life across the territories includes Whale Sharks in St Helena, Green Turtles in Ascension, and Northern Rockhopper Penguins in Tristan da Cunha.

In 2020, the small Tristan community of around 250 residents designated 91% of their waters, 690,000km2, as a Marine Protection Zone, the largest in the Atlantic Ocean and nearly three times the size of the UK. Albatrosses soar over the waters, seals cram onto the beaches, sharks patrol the giant kelp forest and whales lurk in the deep. Fishing and the export of Rock Lobster makes up over half of the island’s economy so sustainable fishing managed by residents is allowed in the inshore fishing zones.

In 2019, Ascension Island designated the entirety of its Exclusive Economic Zone, 445,000km2, as a Marine Protected Area, where all large-scale commercial fishing is prohibited and no fishing of any kind other than licenced research fishing will be permitted beyond 12 nautical miles of the island or extraction is permitted. It’s home to over half a million breeding seabirds including the Ascension Island Frigatebird. Its sandy beaches support the second largest population of nesting Green Turtles in the Atlantic.

In 2016, St Helena the 200 nautical miles surround the island as a Category VI (Sustainable Use) Marine Protected Area conserving their marine life and cultural traditions for future generations.  It’s home to endangered Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales, dolphins, tuna and breeding Storm Petrels, boobies, terns and noddies.

 

Simeon Archer- Rand, Programme Director for the UK Government Blue Belt Programme said:

“Collectively the three UK Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic have designed over 1.5 million km2 of ocean as Marine Protected Areas – safeguarding amazing marine environments from underwater volcanoes and coral reefs to rocky shores and cliff stacks crammed with breeding seabirds! They’re protecting endangered marine life including penguins, albatross, turtles and Whale Sharks. These small remote communities are setting an example to the rest of the world on how to take bold steps to conserve our oceans!”

 

Lorna West, MPA Engagement Officer for Ascension Island Government said,

“I couldn’t be more proud of the MPA Youth Committee. They are always keen to get involved in protecting Ascension’s wildlife, whether that’s cleaning a beach, removing invasive weeds, raising environmental awareness, or learning more about the local wildlife through tours and scientific talks. The South Atlantic Marine Schools Network is a fantastic platform for them to express their joy and passion for Ascension’s unique marine life, collaborating with like-minded children across the Atlantic to safeguard our ocean. I am very excited to see where this project will lead…”

 

Sheena Benjamin, Education and Outreach Officer, St Helena National Trust said,

“On St Helena we are proud of our Ocean Literacy programme that we are establishing and embedding in school curriculum and the wider community, from lessons to events and resources which we will continue to build on. We are excited about this Network which is a great platform to share and learn more from our sister islands and the Atlantic MPAs. We have enthusiastic children who are on the journey to become great advocates to promote and protect St Helena waters.”

Videos

Picture Credits: Rodrigo Argenton, Andy Schofield and Patrick Doll

Category: Conservation

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Green turtle nesting season round up

Annual update 2022/2023

Ascension is one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas), with turtles nesting on Ascension between December and July annually. With July now upon us, we are now celebrating the end of another successful year of sea turtle monitoring. Between these months the AIG Conservation Interns conducted a combined total of 92 count surveys across Long beach, North East Bay and Pan Am Nature Reserves, with a total of 250 hours spent on the beaches counting and raking tracks and nests.

The Conservation Interns conducted four weeks of nightwork across four months- deploying data loggers to record the temperature within 60 nests. The Interns spent a further four months excavating these nests to recover the loggers and observe hatching success on these beaches. As the sex of turtles is determined by the temperature inside a nest at the middle third of development, this ongoing data will contribute to our understanding of how climate change may be impacting Ascension’s turtle population.

Some highlights of this season were returning 141 stranded turtles back to the sea and welcoming the Ascension MPA Youth Committee for their own turtle tour and for their help with one of the nest excavations.

The AIG Conservation and Fisheries Directorate would like to thank the 118 people who attended turtle tours across 15 weeks to safely observe the spectacle of turtle nesting and learn more about Ascension’s turtles. Finally, we would like to say a huge thank you to the 14 volunteers who donated a combined total of 67 hours to assist with the raking of beaches to help our monitoring project, all your help was greatly appreciated!

A special thanks to the Blue Marine Foundation for funding the Conservation Internship Programme which has allowed this long-term turtle monitoring to continue.

 

Category: Conservation

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Protecting Seabirds Across Borders

 

The AIG Conservation and Fisheries Directorate are pleased to announce the beginning of a new Darwin Plus-funded project “Protecting Seabirds Across Borders”.

 

Ascension’s Marine Protected Area covers 445,000km2, but many seabirds will range much further. Uncovering their distribution throughout the whole year and their potential interactions with high-sea fisheries will provide a better understanding of how these species use the wider Atlantic. This project will build on existing data and conduct additional seabird tracking work to fill key data gaps. Working with partners at Birdlife International, Global Fishing Watch, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the results will be used to advocate for greater protection across the Atlantic and help to refocus Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing surveillance efforts.

 

Initial tracking using satellite tags supported by the UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme has shown juvenile frigatebirds taking short flights around the island as they develop their flying capabilities following fledging. Over the coming weeks and months, these individuals will venture more widely into the Atlantic and we will continue to provide regular updates on their adventures.

 

Category: Conservation

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Exploring Ascension’s Physical Oceanography

 

Last week the team were joined by Dr Phil Hosegood and Dr Kit Stokes from Plymouth University. They are working with AIG Conservation to study and explain Ascension’s physical oceanography, developing models to predict the patterns of currents around Ascension.

To improve the accuracy of these models the team used data from two Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) that were retrieved from the northwest of the island, after a six-month period. This instrument measures the speed of water flow across the entire water column using sound (the Doppler effect).

After collecting the data, these ADCPs were returned to their monitoring sites and another two were deployed in North East Bay and near Springers Beach. These will be retrieved every few months, improving the accuracy of models and our understanding of Ascension’s marine environment.

These models can then be applied in several ways:

  • Explain biological processes, e.g. the movements of our shark population.
  • Predict the movement of particles around Ascension’s coast (e.g. the movement of turtle hatchlings and crab larvae).
  • Identify areas of high productivity from bodies of water upwellings (deep water being dragged to the surface) and convergences (surface water being forced downwards).

The duo also delivered a fantastic talk, “Ascension’s Ocean Explained,” to the local community at the Travellers Hill BFBS cinema on Thursday night. The talk will be shared online via our Facebook page (@AscensionMPA), so please make sure to check it out if you missed it.