Students of the BTS Nature Management and Protection (GPN) of the CFA – CFPPA of Coconi, participated this Tuesday, April 21 in an educational outing to Tahiti beach, in partnership with the Marine Natural Park. Objective: to observe the health of coral reefs through the Reef Check participatory science program.
Fins, masks and observation pads in hand, the students of the BTS GPN of the CFA – CFPPA of Coconi, were today, in the field, in Tahiti beach, to put their knowledge into practice. This outing is part of a coral reef monitoring project, a major issue in Mayotte.
Supervised by the Marine Natural Park, the students were introduced to the Reef Check protocol, a global participatory science program that evaluates the health of corals. « We are doing a day of awareness of the Reef Check protocol, which is a global protocol to know the health status of corals, » explains Louise Deshayes, employee of the Marine Natural Park.
The training is organized in several stages: a theoretical phase in class, followed by a field trip. After a first handling of the equipment in the morning, the students then carried out, in the afternoon, a follow-up at sea by observing several indicators such as fish, substrates or invertebrates. « The data will make it possible to know the state of health of the reef, » says Louise Deshayes.
Beyond technical learning, the objective is also to raise awareness of these future professionals about the environmental issues of the Mahorais lagoon. « For us, the goal is to make them aware of the environment, the pressures on the lagoon and to show them that corals can be healthy as well as endangered, » adds Louise Deshayes.
A concrete experience for students
For students, this immersion in the field is an important step in their training. « I wouldn’t say it was easy, because diving with equipment, fins and mask, and identifying species is not easy, » says Youmna Saindou, a first-year student at BTS GPN. But this experience also allows them to better understand the importance of coral reefs.
« I learned that corals are not only there to make them pretty. They also protect us. «
Youmna Saindou, first-year student of BTS GPN
For his part, Ibrahim Karim, also a student in BTS GPN, is delighted with this concrete experience. « I’m happy to see that concretely because that’s what we learn at school. »
source : France info
