Last day on the island :(. This morning, we took on a new project: trash collection! We were given 6 large trash bags and an assignment to make something out of it. So, we decided to look at trash distribution around the island, trying to understand how trash density would vary based on currents and the structure of the atoll. We chose 3 locations to collect from: the beach by our dorms, the coral graveyard, and the mangrove trail.

It was so saddening how quickly our trash bags went and how little they did. Especially at the coral graveyard, they barely made any sort of dent.

Afterwards, we did a Lionfish dissection, and then proceeded to eat the Lionfish. Even though my Lionfish was pretty large, there was nothing in its stomach, we could not locate the gonads, and there were no otoliths to be found. It was super yummy, though!

We spent the afternoon packing, but mostly swimming and hanging out on the dock. After only swimming in the ocean in full gear, it was really fun to just jump in without flippers in a regular swimsuit! The water was perfect and the setting sun was absolutely gorgeous. I had so much fun swimming with the fish near the dock and looking through my goggles at the sandy floor. Thankfully, I did not step on anything sharp or pointy!

Our last presentations highlighted eels, seahorses & trumpetfish, and L

ionfish & other invasive species. I did not see any eels, seahorses, or trumpetfish on this trip, but I’m sure they were all there, just a bit trickier to spot than the vibrant, flamboyant reef fish.

Although I am sad the trip has finally come to a close, I am just so happy I got to be here and experience all of these awesome things in Belize.

-Emily