ReacTeam
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Update 2012
To see what has been happening with this project in 2012, click here.
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The ReacTeam-
Rapid Response Marine Research Unit
The REACTEAM is a fully equipped research unit that responds rapidly to information on threatened marine species globally. It consists of young scientists working in collaboration with senior academics, local scientists and communities. It provides young people with the opportunity to obtain valuable field and research skills while experiencing unique and valuable habitats globally. It is all about empowering young people who are willing to do something and use their energy and enthusiasm for the wellbeing of global biodiversity.

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Our Protocol
Stage 1:
We receive information about threatened or valuable species around the world that needs investigating.

Stage 2:
If we feel the information warrants a rapid response, we will send a REACTEAM to investigate further. This team will identify the population parameters of the target species and establish contact with local research, conservation and education organizations, as well as possible accommodation and transport options. This process will take 2-4 weeks.

Stage 3:
The REACTEAM will then present a report to the AWF with recommendations as to further actions. This can range from developing volunteer conservation and research programmes, establishing educational programmes and opportunities, ecotourism, community programmes, and microfinance and fair trading opportunities. In addition to the targeted population, the team will also make a review of other habitats and species present there.


Our Methods
  • Water sampling (Niskin bottles, PAR sensors, CTD, Plankton Net)
  • Photography (Cameras and underwater cameras)
  • Observation (Binoculars)
  • Tagging (DTag)
  • Acoustics (Hydrophones)
  • Film making (Underwater Videocameras)
  • Genetics (DNA tests by taking tissue samples)
  • Soil analysis: (Soil grabs , Sidescan sonars)

    • Diving equipment will be hired locally.


Current Projects
1. West African Manatee, Sierra Leone (Dec 2011)
The AWF project team in Sierra Leone keep hearing rumors of a population of West African Manatee in the Mangrove Swamps about 60km south of the project base in York. Nobody is researching the West African Manatee and it will be an ideal opportunity to carry out research on this endangered species for which no data exists.
Reacteam 1

2. Leatherback turtles (Sierra Leone) (Dec 2011)
The AWF project Team in Sierra Leone are aware of Leatherback turtles breeding on Sherbro Island just south of our project base on the Freetown peninsular. As this species is critically endangered we want to investigate further.
Reacteam 2

3 . Pink Dolphins, Venezuela (Easter 2012)
An AWF member has alerted the REACTEAM of the presence of pink dolphins in her country, Venezuela. Our understanding is that these critically endangered creatures are being hunted illegally and we want to investigate further.
Reacteam 3

4. Whale Shark, Honduras (Easter 2012)
One of the AWF's latest project bases will be in Honduras focused on the Whale Shark, a species so poorly researched that we simply do not know its conservation status. It is the largest fish on the planet and simply awesome so we want to carry out baseline survey work to establish its conservation status in the region.
Reacteam 4

5. Yangtze River Dolphin, China (Summer 2012)
This amazing dolphin nicknamed Goddess of the Yangtze was declared officially extinct in 2006, as it has not been seen for several years. The Chinese have promised to look after the remaining population when they were constructing the Giant Three Rivers dam and neglected to fulfill their obligation in this respect. We want to go and investigate further and see if there is still a viable population.
Reacteam 5

6. Humpback Whale, Ghana (Sep 2012)
The Southern Antarctic Humpback Whale stock, have their breeding grounds in the Gulf of Guinea and migrate along the coast of Ghana in October of each year on their way south. Our AWF Team in Ghana tell us of a Shamanic Ritual whereby drums are used to attract the whales towards the coast so that the fishermen can catch the fish that follow them. We are also aware that the song of the whales at this time will be evolved over the breeding period to a communal song that the males will take with them and return with the following year. We want to investigate both these occurrences. Nobody is researching this population of Humpback Whales.
Reacteam 6

Fundraising
For this project to be succesful, our fundraising efforts need to reach a target of 50,000€ for equipment and 12,000€ per expedition in expenses. AWF volunteers will be fundraising to secure these funds for these vitally important projects (the AWF will contribute 50% of these funds towards the REACTEAM budgets).

If you want to help please DO contact the REACTEAM. To become a member of the REACTEAM it is necessary to first volunteer for at least 6 weeks in any of the AWF volunteer programmes.

We invite organizations, corporates, and wealthy individuals to sponsor either the programme or individual projects. Please contact the REACTEAM.

There will be an annual raffle 100,000 tickets at 0.50c. The winners will get a position on one of the REACTEAM project expeditions completely paid for and there will be 3 further prizes of 6 weeks stays with the AWF in Tenerife. Getting involved can make a huge difference to both us and you. It will make this dream come true and give you the chance to have an experience of a lifetime. Whoever sells the most tickets will be given the opportunity to come to one of the expeditions with all expenses paid, because this means that person has been dedicated to the project and has done a lot of work towards our goals. If you want to help out by buying raffle tickets or helping us sell them please contact the team on this address: reacteam@hotmail.com.

GOOD LUCK!!!



REACTEAM MEMBERS 2011
ReacTeam Member 1
Andrew James Dean, England.
"I have been scuba diving for many years and have the privilege to experience the delights of our world. I am joining this team to be able to help keep what I see for generations to come, and to experience more of what the world has to offer."
ReacTeam Member 2
Lara Domínguez Mateos, Spain.
"Since a very young age I was very lucky to be able to travel the world giving me the opportunity to apreciate the broadness of what there is to discover. I always knew I wanted to study Marine Biology, and this drove into becoming a PADI Dive Master. Since then I have been looking for ways to follow my dreams and turn my motivation into actions, and the REACTEAM represents for me the oportunity to do it."
ReacTeam Member 3
Joe Fox, England.
"I really enjoy what I do. I recently became a PADI qualified rescue diver where I also participated in an Ocean Cleanup for Project Aware. While being a Head Coordinator for AWF I had many opportunities and enjoyed meeting so many interesting people. I feel it is our responsibility to take care of the planet we live in. I look forward to my future as a REACTEAM member and the real differences I can make whilst being able to experience the world."
ReacTeam Member 4
Sara Sanchez-Quiñones Roselló, Spain.
"Since a very young age I was attracted to the underwater world. All my life I wanted to study marine biology therefore I also became a PADI Dive Master. I have always seen myself researching for the unknown and the REACTEAM has offered me the opportunity to believe that being young and having no professional experience is not a problem. For me this means achieving my dream and being capable of having the chance to build my life the way I always wanted."
ReacTeam Member 5
Rosalie Tukker, The Netherlands.
"Being part of such a breakthrough team as the REACTEAM I can shape my destiny and hopefully even the one of a threatened species. I would like to experience lots of different cultures together with the unknown. This team is a perfect fit for me as a Biology student, since I love doing research. I want to inspire others."
ReacTeam Member 6
Anneloes Tukker, The Netherlands.
"Since I was young I always liked marine animals. When I started studying Eco & Wildlife and during my internship placements, like the seal rehabilitation centre in Pieterburen (The Netherlands), I started to realize that I really wanted to do something with it. It's just the fact that we hardly know anything about them that makes it so interesting for me. I want to combine researching animals with protecting them and their habitat, and that is exactly what the REACTEAM is about"
ReacTeam Member 7
Dayana Herrera, Venezuela.
"I love to travel. As a Tourism student I was always looking to volunteer in one organisation like AWF. They give me the chance to contribute and help animals around the world, helping conserve them. They really need us because they cannot take care of themselves''


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