BBSR is conducting numerous studies on the health of Bermuda's coral reefs. We have a long history of research starting in the early years of this century when the BioStation was created. On the next pages are descriptions of various projects and some of the results. Look over the short descriptions on this page to see which most interest to you and then follow the link for more details.
Bermuda has recently installed an incinerator to burn our trash. BBSR has two projects to study the effects of the incinerator on our nearshore environment. Both are conducted by the Benthic Ecology Research Programme (BERP) at BBSR which is funded by the Bermuda Government.
One project is concerned with the effects of hot water waste generated by the incinerator. Seawater is used as a coolant and the hot water is pumped offshore where it might affect local seagrass and coral communities.
The second project concerns materials that won't burn in the incinerator, waste ash which is mixed with concrete before being dumped into the coastal waters as landfill.
The Bermuda Inshore Waters Investigation (BIWI) made monthly measurements for 20 years. Why was it done and what were the results?
Sewage from the capital of Bermuda is pumped offshore near the reefs. BBSR is studying whether there are any effects on the corals and bottom-dwelling organisms.
CARICOMP - This is a coordinated effort throughout the Caribbean to make the same set of measurements everywhere and develop a database for the region. It looks at biological and physical variables in key coastal ecosystems.
Fishing with fish pots has been banned from Bermuda. Find out why and if there has been any effect.