The summer of Sargassum!

In recent weeks Sargassum seaweed has been washing up in unprecedented amounts on shorelines in the Caribbean and West Africa. The volume of seaweed that can be seen in photos taken by colleagues around the Caribbean really is impressive.

Sargassum on John Smith's Bay Bermuda

Huge mats of floating Sargassum have been reported from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Antigua, St. Kitts, Barbados, Trinidad and the African coast in Sierra Leone.

We have begun gathering photos of this amazing algal phenomenon from anyone who would like to submit them. Please fill out the 'Contact Us' email form and we will get in touch with you regarding where to send your photos (the form will not let you send an attachment).

Sargassum Sightings Photo Gallery

Below are some offsite links to photos that others have gathered:

Hidden crate of wine excavated from the wreck of the Mary Celestia

Articles in Bermuda's local papers on the excavation of a hidden stash of 5 unopened bottles of wine found in the bow of the Mary Celestia.

 

 

Also, watch footage of the wine recovery, courtesy of LookBermuda.

 

Mary-Celestia Wine Recovery from LookBermuda on Vimeo.

 

Press articles on Marie Celeste excavation

Scholarship for MSc in Climate Change and Development at University of Sussex/Institute for Development Studies, UK

Full scholarship for MSc in Climate Change and Development at University of Sussex/Institute for Development Studies, UK

Deadline for application 1 May 2011

Please note this applies to nationals of the following UK overseas territories Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos.

A full scholarship (fees plus maintenance and travel) funded through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme is available for applicants to the MSc in Climate Change and Development programme for entry October 2011.

 

Note: Potential applicants must undertake the following process in the order stated.

 

1.    Check their eligibility for the award (see eligibility criteria)

 

2.    Submit an application for the MSc in Climate Change and

Development using the online application facility at

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/2011/taught/3331/23691

 

3.    Only after applicants have received an offer of a place on the course should they request an application form for the scholarship, by contacting climate@sussex.ac.uk. The deadline for applications for the scholarship is 1st May 2011.

 

UKOTA Scholarship for Environmental MSc at the University of Reading

Are you interested in studying for a  1 year taught environmental MSc at the University of Reading, UK commencing October 2011?

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has made a contribution to a scholarship to enable a student from one of the Overseas Territories (OTs) to study an environmental Master of Science at the  University of Reading. The scholarship will be administered by the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) which was established in 1993 to promote the interests of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories and co-operation between them. Specifically UKOTA demonstrates the collective and individual partnerships between the territories and Her Majesty’s Government. This scholarship is part of the Overseas Territories Training and Research Programme which will contribute to capacity building within the OTs.

 

As part of the scholarship, the student’s tuition fees will be paid, travel to and from the Territory and monthly allowances to cover accommodation and living expenses. For more details on allowances  please see the UKOTA website www.ukota.org or contact Mrs Kedell Worboys, Chair of the UKOTA Environment Working Group via email: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com or Tel: +44 (0) 207 031 0314 Fax +44 (0) 207 031 0315

 

Why study an Environmental MSc?

Human activities have damaged the Earth’s ecosystems and caused significant biodiversity loss. This is a global problem, but is also very relevant to the UK Overseas Territories. The UKOTs are rich in biodiversity, but this biodiversity is under threat from a range of human activities. Reducing these losses and designing a more sustainable future requires skilled individuals who will develop evidence-based solutions. Studying an environmental MSc will give you the skills to develop a career that works toward sustainable development.

 

Who are we looking for?

We wish to award the scholarship to a dedicated student, who can show strong evidence of a commitment to, or is keen to develop, a career in nature conservation in the Overseas Territories.

 

To qualify for the scholarship applicants must be over the age of 20yrs, have Overseas Territories Citizenship, or the right to live and work in an Overseas Territory and satisfy the University’s course entry requirements.

 

Application from students with exceptional experience, including mature students with experience of working within the environmental/conservation sector in one of the Overseas Territories will be considered favourably.

 

The application process.

The scholarship is available to students wishing to take any of the courses from the list below.  Please check that satisfy course entry requirements before applying for the scholarship. Students should submit a letter of application outlining which course they are interested in, and why they think they should be awarded this scholarship (c. 500 words). This letter, and an accompanying CV (including the names of 2 referees) should be submitted to Kedell Worbys  by 15th of April 2011.

Applications will be reviewed and the scholarship winner will be selected by the Scholarship board.

 

The successful applicant will then need apply to the University of Reading for a place on their chosen MSc course. The scholarship award will be dependent on the offer of a place from the University.

 

Closing date: 15th April 2011

 


List of taught courses that Scholarship will fund (to be confirmed)

Atmosphere, ocean and climate.

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscatmosphereoceanclimate.aspx

Biometry

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscbiometry.aspx

Communication for innovation and development

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/msccommunication.aspx

Environment and Development

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscenvironment.aspx

Environmental Management

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscenvironmentalmanagement.aspx

Extension for Natural Resource based livelihoods

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/msclivelihoods.aspx

Horticulture

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mschorticulture.aspx

Plant Diversity

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscplant.aspx

Renewable energy

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscrenewable.aspx

Research (human geography)

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mschumangeography.aspx

Soils and environmental pollution

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscsoil.aspx

Wildlife management and Conservation

http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/courses/taught/mscwildman.aspx

 

 

Links for further information:

 

For further information on UKOTA and details of allowances go to: www.ukota.org

For further information on modules please follow the link:   http://www.rdg.ac.uk/biologicalsciences/ug/biosci-ugappliedecologyconservation.asp

For further information on the School of Biological Sciences go to www.reading.ac.uk/biologicalsciences

For further information on the University of Reading, including information on accommodation, student services, etc, go to: www.reading.ac.uk

 

 PRINTABLE PDF

[1] http://www.jncc.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=5130

The Riddle of the Crest

Have you ever looked closely at Bermuda's coat of arms and wondered about the ship depicted there? Perhaps you assumed it was the Sea Venture, the well known ship that wrecked in 1609, leading to Bermuda's colonisation by the British in 1612. Evidence suggests this assumption may be incorrect!

Read the whole fascinating story in "The Riddle of the Crest" by Custodian of Historic Wrecks, Dr. Philippe Rouja, featured in the heritage issue of the RG Magazine, May 2009.

Also, watch the film, the first of a series of Educational Documentaries being produced by LookBermuda.

Riddle of the Crest from LookBermuda on Vimeo.

For more information visit www.lookbermuda.com