Coral Reef Workshop
26th april - 10th may 2020 Coral Reef Workshop Flyer Contact	At the centre of marine biodiversity, we are exploring the reefs of Raja Ampat in four marine biology workshops: * Sampling & microscope sessions * Fish-, Coral- and Invertebrate ID * Explore the manifold interrelations in the coral reef ecosystem * Raja Ampat special: Seagrass meadows and mangroves

As part of the CORAL REEF WORKSHOP, four different 2-day workshops will take place from 26th april to 10th may 2020 at the Papua Paradise Eco Resort Resort on the island of Batanta, Indonesia.
The course will be led by marine biologist Stephan Moldzio.

FISH – WORKSHOP – first week

* Fish – their family characteristics and ecology
* Fish species list, work with scientific databases
* Guided & specifically briefed dives
* Fish presentation & quiz
* Workshop booklet & certificate of participation

CORAL – WORKSHOP – first week

* Coral Biology & Coral Identification
* Coral reef ecology, food web, marine conservation
* Guided dives & fluorescence night dive
* Coral presentation & quiz
* Coral Finder & certificate of participation

INVERTEBRATES – WORKSHOP – second week

* Sampling of sand, reef rock and plankton
* Microscope – sessions & invertebrate identification
* Zoological drawing
* Guided dives & night dive
* Coral Reef – presentation & quiz
* Workshop Booklet & certificate of participation

RAJA AMPAT-WORKSHOP – second week
* Exploration of the seagrass meadow and the mangroves
*Characteristics and importance of these two habitats
* Sampling & Microscope – session
* Summary of workshop results & conclusion

At the beginning of the workshops each participant receives an interesting workshop booklet and at the end a confirmation of participation about the course contents. With the help of various descriptive methods and teamwork we work out the connections so that each participant contributes to the common result. On four evenings there will be lectures on various topics related to coral reefs.

The corals are the builders of the reefs and create this fascinating habitat in the first place. Reason enough to take a closer look at this group of animals! Using the “Indopacific Coral Finder” as a tool for coral ID, you will be able to determine any hard coral down to genus level at the end of the workshop. At an exciting coral presentation in the evening you will learn a lot about coral reef ecology – about reef formation and erosion, zonation, the different reef types and coral groups. During the four dives during the course we practise coral ID and collect dead broken coral fragments in order to take a closer look at the fine skeleton structure by use of stereomicroscopes.
At the end of this workshop you will also receive a certificate of  the workshop contents and you can test your acquired coral knowledge in an entertaining quiz! A highlight at the end is definitely the fluorescence night dive, where you can make the reef glow using blue light lamps!

At the beginning of week 2 the Invertebrate Workshop continues to focus on coral reef ecology:
Food web, predator-prey relationships, parasitism and symbiosis, functional groups such as algae grazers, today’s threats to coral reefs and environmental protection. We take samples of microorganisms in the reef, in the sand and in the water column – for examination under the stereomicroscope. We will create a zoological drawing by taking a close look at the morphology of the various groups of organisms. The evening lecture on the sheer endless interrelations within the reef ecosystem gives you a good overview of coral reef ecology. After the lecture, plankton will be fished using lights on the jetty – for examination  under the stereomicroscope. The next morning after breakfast you will invstigate the bizarre life forms and larval stages of different reef inhabitants! 
In the following, the focus is on the larger invertebrates, various crustaceans, clams, snails, seastars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, worms, bryozoans, sea squirts and sponges. Some of them you will already encounter during the day dives. But most of these creatures are hidden deep in the reef´s cracks and crevasses during the day and it gets really exciting during the night dive…
Also at this workshop a list of all encountered groups of organisms will be compiled. At the end there will be an entertaining invertebrate quiz as well as the certificate of workshop participation.

During the Raja Ampat workshop you will explore the habitats of the seagrass beds and the mangroves adjacent to the reef.
You will see that both are fascinating and highly underestimated habitats – and recognize their immense importance for the coral reefs and the complex interdependencies of these neighboring ecosystems.
During our dives and/or snorkeling trips along the seagrass beds and mangroves around Birie Island we will explore the flowing transition of these habitats to the coral reef. What are the differences and similarities between these habitats? Who are the inhabitants, most of whom live hidden in the sediment? We will again take samples and examine them in a final stereo microscope session.
Like the coral reefs, mangroves are also under immense pressure, losing 1-2% of their total area every year, that´s 3-4 times faster than the decline of rural forest types. Environmental protection will therefore be the topic of the fourth and final evening lecture.

Requirements:
The workshops are suitable for divers AND snorkelers. No previous knowledge is required. The four courses build on each other.
The workshops are aimed at all levels, from “beginners” to “professionals”.
The minimum age is 10 years.
Language:  English and German

PAPUA PARADISE ECO RESORT & GANGGA DIVERS

The Papua Paradise Eco Resort is located on Batanta, one of the 1800 mostly uninhabited islands of the sparsely populated archipelago of Raja Ampat, west of New Guinea / Indonesia. It is surrounded by rainforests and fantastic coral reefs and promises an unforgettable holiday for divers, snorkelers and nature lovers. Even the house reef is spectacular and you can already see wobbegongs, reef and bamboo sharks, or the dugong living in the seagrass meadow. Various excursions are offered, e.g. to the Batanta waterfalls, the fishing village Arefi, or to the rainforest, where three endemic birds of paradise or the graceful hornbills can be observed.

There are full day tours with 3 dives each to the Fam Islands and the passage between Waigeo and the Gam Islands, which are among the best dive sites in Raja Ampat. The well equipped dive centre has 4 well maintained compressors, aluminium tanks from 8 to 15 litres with DIN and Int connections, free nitrox, various fibreglass boats and an acclimatised camera room with workstations and extensive identification literature for fauna and flora.
Web: www.papuaparadise.com

BOOKING AND INFORMATION:

Aqua Active Agency      
E-Mail: info@aquaactive.de                   
Web: https://www.aquaactive.de/themenreisen/coral-reef-workshop-raja-ampat.html
Phone: +49 (0) 5507 – 919 818-0        
Facebook: Aqua Active Agency

WORKSHOP INFORMATION:

Stephan Moldzio, Marine Biologist
E-Mail: info@marinebiologyworkshops.de
Web: www.greencorals.de
Mobil: +49 (0) 151 12721681 (+ WhatsApp)