Smithsonian Institute's and Sylvia Earle Alliance submarine research at Hannibal Bank

[scandalous]

I though you guys might find this interesting. Right now the research vessel and submarine are out at Hannibal Bank........

"Panama’s Coiba National Park, part of a major migration route for marine animals in the Tropical Eastern Pacific--from the Galapagos to Costa Rica’s Cocos Islands-- remains largely unexplored.
From Mar. 4-10, Mission Blue, founded by Sylvia Earle, oceanographer, environmental advocate and National Geographic ‘Explorer In Residence,’ will explore Hannibal Bank, the top of an undersea mountain near Coiba Island.
Mission Blue aims to use films, expeditions, the web and new submarines to create a campaign that ignites public support for a global network of marine protected areas—Hope Spots--large enough to save the blue heart of the planet.
Scientists from the Smithsonian and from Panama’s government research institute, INDICASAT-AIP, as well as representatives of Panama’s Environmental Authority, ANAM and Marine Resources Authority, ARAP join the expedition."

Link to SEA website's page on the expedition......
http://blog.sylviaearlealliance.org/...ba-panama.html

Link to Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's page with cool bathemetric map of Hannibal Bank....
https://www.stri.si.edu/index.php

[jillybird]

Man, what I'd do to take a ride in that sub on the Bank or around Montuosa. Seems like a great project.

[Tues]

That sub is killer!

[Pescador Paul]

"Mission Blue aims to use films, expeditions, the web and new submarines to create a campaign that ignites public support for a global network of marine protected areas—Hope Spots--large enough to save the blue heart of the planet."

Uh oh...I wonder how long anyone will be able to fish this area near Coiba.

[RedAg]

Read between the lines, this is aimed to make this similar to Galapagos, Etc. No fishing within Miles of this santcuary. Hmmmm, very mixed emotions

[tap]

This is BAD news guys. The rich "oceanographers" with bank-rolled toys are going to do an inventory, map and take. Governments like to join stuff like this because it adds prestige to their office. That's what happened to Coiba Island when it became a World Heritage Site and was immediately declared as a no fishing zone within a mile of the island. This is another step to closing down more prime fishing areas similar to the MLPA's in California. Be concerned.

Tony Peña
"The Roving Angler"

[johndtuttle]

Hopefully they will see that all the planned housing development in the area will be a more beneficial plan for the Panama economy.

People looking at real estate there want to be able to fish though certainly enforced catch limits etc are reasonable to protect the resource.

[scandalous]

With the Panamanian government's new focus on improving tourism, traveling sportfishermen being a big part, hopefully this won't affect the recreational side but may help stop the commercial guys clogging up Hannibal Bank.

[tap]

Sorry but environmental elitists don't care about the economy. To them, more housing and commerce puts a greater threat on the natural resource that needs "protection". If Panama and other countries were concerned about sustaining recreational fisheries as a top priority they would not have allowed outside countries to come in and establish WHS preserves to begin with. The wealthy run the country and they are already wealthy. They better not find any dead marlin laying on the bottom of Hannibal due to a poor release, etc. or we are totally screwed after the exploitation of that scene.

Tony Peña
"The Roving Angler"

[scandalous]

Originally Posted by tap

Sorry but environmental elitists don't care about the economy. To them, more housing and commerce puts a greater threat on the natural resource that needs "protection". If Panama and other countries were concerned about sustaining recreational fisheries as a top priority they would not have allowed outside countries to come in and establish WHS preserves to begin with. The wealthy run the country and they are already wealthy. They better not find any dead marlin laying on the bottom of Hannibal due to a poor release, etc. or we are totally screwed after the exploitation of that scene.

Tony Peña
"The Roving Angler"

True Tony. But the wealthy here are always looking to get wealthier! And with Panamanian economist Dr. Ruben Lockland and The Billfish Foundations' recent study into the socio-ecomomic impact of sportfishing tourism here the government is licking their chops looking forward to the dinero our industry will bring.