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The
Waters of the
US and BVI are Whether
sport fishing (USVI),
snorkeling
or touring,
there is no better way to enjoy this tropical paradise offshore | inshore | coral reefs | mangrove lagoons
Click on the chart for an enlarged version Chart
Source: MapTech® ChartKit®
As these pelagic migratory fish pass through these waters, they feast on the dinner awaiting at the Drops, offering deep sea fishermen a chance to test their hunting skills in the chain of life. Captain Gene of Reel Therapy has a deep respect for the life of the sea and adheres to size limits and conservation regulations in order to keep these waters flourishing with life.
The variety of species and year around bounty of inshore sportfishing in the Virgin Islands is a big attraction as is the incredibly beautiful scenery to behold as you troll, live bate or fly fish along the many small islands surrounding St. John and St. Thomas.
What is a coral reef anyway? In essence it's a structure created by a gathering of corals. Well what then, is a coral? Corals are tiny animals that usually group together by thousands, forming colonies that attach to hard surfaces on the sea floor. Reef building corals draw calcium carbonate from sea water to build a variety of skeletal structures that collectively form the limestone framework of tropical reefs. Around these amazing structures a complex biologically diverse ecosystem flourishes.
Corals are fascinating and there is much to learn about them. When you charter a snorkeling trip aboard Reel Therapy, the naturalist on board will explain more about the life of these unique animals and the other reef creatures dependent upon them. When you are visiting a coral reef, please respect the life of the polyps. The growth rate is extremely slow, only an inch a year for most species, and they are easily damaged. One smack from a flipper can kill many years or even centuries of growth. Always keep your body floating in a horizontal manner when swimming in a shallow reef and be aware that your flippers are longer than you are accustomed to and don't touch, simply enjoy the beautiful view.
If you meet Reel Therapy at Pirates Cove Marina on St. Thomas, USVI, you will be boarding at a mangrove lagoon. Remember to take a look at the plant structures and give thanks to this environment for having protected the fish you are about to enjoy. |
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Reeling
in the Fish and the
Therapy
Copyright 1999-2008 by Reel Therapy. All rights reserved. |
The
U.S. Virgin Islands are famous for the offshore sport fishing grounds called the
North and South Drops, where the underwater terrain suddenly drops from hundreds
of feet deep to thousands. This offshore ledge causes upwellings that bring rich
bottom nutrients to the surface exposing phytoplankton to sunlight creating a
plankton bloom that sparks life into the ecosystem. From zooplankton to large
pelagic fish there is a blossoming of life at all levels of the food chain. This
means great sport fishing for Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, Marlin and Sail Fish. See the
The
inshore fishing grounds of the Virgin Islands is year around rich in local tropical
fish species living off the vibrant web of life attached to underwater formations
such as coral reefs and rocky beds or near changes in the terrain, such as dips
or plateaus in the ocean bottom. These locations attract smaller fish by providing
them shelter and nutrients. Consequently, the larger fish, such as Jacks, Bonito,
Barracuda, Mackerel and Tarpon, find prey to feed upon. See the 
Formed
in tropical warm, clear waters, coral reefs form an ecosystem with magnificent
diversity of colorful species. They are one of the main attractions of the Virgin
Islands.
Despite
their lack of mobility and flora like appearance, corals are actually animals,
not plants. They are in the same phylum, Cnidaria, as jellyfish and anemones.
All of which have a simple anatomy consisting of a cup-shaped body, with a single,
opening that is encircled by tentacles that functions both as a mouth and anus.
If attached to the substrate, they are known as polyps. They can live alone, like
most anemones, or they can form ever expanding colonies, typical of most corals.
Yet
another vitally important tropical ecosystem is the Mangrove Lagoons located in
protected coves throughout the Virgin Islands. The intertwining mangrove trees
that grow seemingly from the water with far reaching root systems are the salt
marshes of the tropics. They serve the same purpose of filtering toxins and cleansing
the environment as well as providing a nursery habitat for almost all the young
fish and other creatures of the open ocean. Along with salt marshes they are one
of the most productive ecosystems on Earth.