What happens when a passion for marine life takes you beneath the surface and into the heart of conservation? This guest blog by Coral Fry documents her incredible experience during a conservation exhibition to Akumal, Mexico where she gained first-hand knowledge on what it is like to carry out marine research and conservation fieldwork in the water.
My conservation expedition to Akumal, Mexico, was an incredible opportunity to combine my passion for marine life with hands-on marine conservation research. Surrounded by coral reefs, seagrass meadows and turtles, I experienced what it is really like to carry out marine research and conservation fieldwork in the water.
What I did
Most days included up to three snorkel sessions. It was an amazing amount of time to spend in the water and gave us plenty of opportunities to put our training into practice while carrying out marine conservation surveys.
The first week focused mainly on learning and developing our identification and survey skills. We covered fish identification, coral identification, fish transect lines and coral quadrats. This gave us a strong foundation and helped us become more confident identifying marine species underwater and recording our observations accurately.
Alongside the practical work, we attended lectures covering the different marine surveys and research techniques we would be using. This meant that when we entered the water, we were well prepared and understood what we were looking for and how to collect reliable field data.
The second week focused mainly on turtle research. I helped collect data on the number of turtles present within restricted areas, which could then be compared with data on seagrass density, length and the different types of seagrass recorded during our surveys.
We also carried out turtle identification using SVCS recorders and had the opportunity to measure the length of individual turtles.
Being able to take everything we had learned during the first week and apply it to real-world marine conservation research in the second week was extremely valuable. It showed me how important accurate field data is when trying to understand, monitor and protect marine ecosystems.
Keeping My Marine Conservation Kit Safe and Organised
One of the biggest challenges during a marine conservation expedition is keeping equipment organised and protected, particularly when spending long days in and around the water.
Thankfully, Aquapac supported my expedition with an IPX6 Waterproof Duffel 40L, Pack Divider Set, Keymaster+, Waterproof First Aid Kit Bag and Waterproof Floating Phone Case.
The Aquapac 40L Waterproof Duffel quickly became my main expedition bag. It comfortably held everything I needed for a day of fieldwork, from my snorkelling equipment to towels. Knowing that my kit was protected from water gave me real peace of mind throughout the expedition.
The Aquapac Pack Divider Set made it much easier to organise my equipment, keeping everything separated and easy to find. When you're getting ready for an early morning marine survey, being able to quickly find exactly what you need makes a real difference.
The Aquapac Waterproof Floating Phone Case was another fantastic addition to my expedition kit. As someone who enjoys documenting my experiences, it allowed me to keep my phone protected around the water while still having it close at hand.
I also really appreciated having the Aquapac Waterproof First Aid Kit Bag. It was reassuring to know that essential first aid supplies could be kept dry and protected during days spent outdoors and around the water.
Finally, the Aquapac Keymaster+ was a simple but practical addition to my kit. It meant I could keep my keys and other small essentials secure without having to worry about them while spending long days in the field.
Overall, my Aquapac products became an important part of my marine conservation expedition kit. From waterproof storage and equipment organisation to protecting my phone and first aid supplies, they helped keep everything organised, protected and ready for long days of fieldwork
More Than Just a Trip
This expedition gave me the opportunity to learn how marine conservation research is actually carried out, from identifying fish and corals to conducting transect surveys, studying seagrass and collecting data on turtles.
It was also a great reminder that effective conservation depends on good-quality data. Every observation, measurement and survey contributes to a much bigger understanding of marine ecosystems and the pressures they face.
I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in the Akumal conservation expedition. I came home with new practical skills, a much greater understanding of marine research and even more motivation to continue working in conservation.
A huge thank you to Aquapac for supporting my expedition and providing waterproof bags, protective cases and practical outdoor kit that became such a useful part of my everyday routine in the field.