So far, my time in Belize has been everything I had hoped for and more. I have learned so much about native species and their roles in building and maintaining the reef, and I have also seen firsthand how detrimental invasive species can be. During my research on invasive lionfish, I was able to spearfish them and dissect their stomachs, seeing firsthand what native organisms they are consuming and how this can negatively impact the reef. Beyond research, I have been able to get up close and personal with species I had never seen, and often never heard of, and that I will probably never make contact with again. My favorites include some spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, and a dolphin that got amazingly close to me. On the topic of nurse sharks, they are basically sea puppies. Reluctant to bite or attack, they will often allow divers to approach them slowly and take pictures very close. However, for one of my friends, this was not the case. As he posed for the picture, the shark noticed him and swam directly at him, likely trying to scare him off. While the shark would probably not actually have eaten him, it makes for a better story that way. Just as I predicted, this trip allowed me to make lasting connections with people I will probably stay in contact with for the rest of my life. I have learned so much, and the trip isn’t even over yet. I can’t wait for the rest.
My friend posing with a nurse shark.
A bottlenose dolphin swimming right up next to me.
Two spotted eagle rays swimming by.