Lauren Forchette spends a month researching in the Bahamas

2017 Jul 5

Lauren Forchette, of Staten Island, NY, recently returned from a month-long study abroad trip in the Bahamas, where she learned about fishery management issues. Forchette is one of six students enrolled in Biology 296, a Directed Research course called CCRABSS: Creating Collaboration in Research Among Bahamian and SUNY Oneonta Students.

The data the students collected will aid in determining land crab fishery stock abundance on North Andros Island as a means of enabling long-term, sustainable harvests of this economically and culturally important species, according to trip leader, SUNY Oneonta biology Lecturer Tami LaPilusa.

Forchette is majoring in Biology at SUNY Oneonta.

The students surveyed 5,000 square meters of land crab habitat, counted and measured hundreds of land crab burrows, explored a handful of Blue Holes, enjoyed 28 sunrises from Forfar Beach, and learned how challenging field work can be, even in a tropical paradise.

Students volunteered with Forfar Field Station, The Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute, and The Bahamas National Trust, conducting locally and nationally impactful service projects.

While in the Bahamas, the students wrote regular blog posts, letting friends and family at home know about their experiences. They spoke about seeing the effects of Hurricane Matthew, trying new foods, such as plantains, snorkeling and seeing aquatic organisms, and being thankful for amenities they take for granted at home.

LaPilusa said the students succeeded in accomplishing their research goals and "even had a little bit of fun along the way."

"I can say that each one had significant personal growth during our adventure," she said.