A marine habitat mapping research cruise of the Grenada Bank was led by Kim Baldwin, a PhD student of the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) of the University of the West Indies. This three-week research cruise aboard a 47' Moorings Catamaran was a major collaboration effort between multiple organizations resulting in a first of its kind underwater geographical and ecosystems map of this part of the Eastern Caribbean.

From August 16–September 5, 2009, Kim and the crew mapped critical marine resources such as reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves and areas important for fishing. In addition, local communities were consulted to identify other areas which are important for conservation and the livelihoods of the Grenadine people. 

Data collected included marine habitats, which was recorded using a combination of ground-truthing for the shallower coastal waters and the use of a live-action drop camera which was deployed off the stern of the catamaran in deeper waters up to 250 ft. on the Grenada Bank. Moreover fishing knowledge was also collected in regards to marine habitats type and associated fishery, gear used and the quality of the fishing ground. This information will be merged using ESRI's ArcGIS software to create a baseline 3-dimensional map of the Grenada Bank seafloor.

Thanks again to the entire crew for a successful research trip!

 

Special thanks to our sponsors who funded this unique cruise:

The Moorings, The Mustique Company, The Lighthouse Foundation/The Sustainable Grenadines Project, Tobago Cays Marine Park, The University of the West Indies—Cave Hill Campus, and the PADI Project AWARE Foundation. 

Marine Habitat Classification

A simple and easy to understand marine habitat classification scheme has been collaboratively developed with government stakeholders at a scale useful for local planning, management and decision-making purposes.

These classes included: mangrove, seagrass, salt pond/swamp, sand, coral reef, mixed live bottom, hard bottom and unknown.

DropCamera Survey Sites

In order to model habitat in the deeper waters of the Grenada Bank, a 1km² grid has been overlaid up to the 60m depth contour in which 10% of the grid cells were selected for sampling.

At each survey site, a SeaViewer drop-camera was used to identify the type of marine habitat as well as the suitability of the fishing ground.

These habitat datasets were then combined with sonar depth data which was collected every 30 seconds with a Garmin GPS 540s off of the catamaran to develop a first-time (or baseline) 3D marine habitat model of the Grenada Bank.

Groundtruthing of Shallow Water Survey Sites

Satellite imagery and NOAA’s Habitat Digitizer extension were initially used with ArcGIS to produce a habitat map for the shallow coastal waters of the Grenada Bank. This part of the habitat map was validated or 'ground-truthed' as well during the research cruise. Local fishermen were hired to carry out the research team to approximately 200 randomly selected points to be sampled. Sample sites were located using a Garmin Etrex GPS device and were surveyed to asses habitat type and fishing ground information via snorkeling or SCUBA diving. This information will be used to determine the accuracy of the shallow water map produced.

Be sure to look at the Google Earth page on this website to view & download both the deep and shallow water marine habitat models which were created as a result of these marine surveys!