About CCFS

The Calabash Caye Field Station (CCFS) was established on September 27, 1995, and is Belizes first University of Belize
nationally owned and managed marine research facility. Since 2009, the University of Belize
Environmental Research Institute (UB ERI) has been in charge of the field station providing marine
Calabash Caye
science education to both Belizean and foreign students, and continues to host numerous visiting Field Station
groups and researchers.

CCFS is located in the Turneffe Atoll. Turneffe is the largest of three atolls within the Belize Barrier
Reef System and is approximately 33 miles east of Belize City. Travel time varies from 12 hours
depending on vessel and weather conditions.
CALABASH CAYE FIELD STATION

University of Belize
Vision Environmental Research Institute
Price Centre Road
To be a centre of excellence for marine science providing research, monitoring and education
P. O. Box 340
programs for the sustainable management of Turneffe Atoll.
Belmopan, Belize, C.A.
Tel.: +501-223-0256, Ext. 157
Mission or +501-822-2701
Email: uberiinfo@ub.edu.bz
To build scientific capacity and provide sound science for the sustainable use and management of
Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve.
www.uberibz.org

Visit Us!
 Facilities Vessels
All diving at CCFS is conducted through an AAUS
Certified Scientific Diving Program.
The CCFS has private rooms, dorm style and The CCFS has 3 fully equipped boats.
cabana accommodations. The showers and Diadema is a 38 ft. vessel with a capacity of 36. CCFS offers
toilets for dorm and cabana occupants are Pelicanus & Rhizophora are both 25 ft. skiffs research abroad,
housed separately, and are designed for with capacities of 7 and 10 passengers, respec- paid volunteer,
bioremediation to clean waste water. The CCFS tively. and internship
Research and Monitoring
is also carbon neutral, powered 24 hours a day opportunities to
by solar energy. Other amenities include: students and
The UB ERI promotes and conducts research to individual re-
a lecture hall; provide a sound scientific basis for the management searchers to
of the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve under the participate in these research and monitoring
a reference library; programs, and to gain invaluable field experience.
following areas:

a small dry lab with microscopes and other

Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
basic equipment; Safety and Communication
Coral Reefs
a wet lab;
Safety is a priority at the CCFS and there are strict
Climate Change
policies that guests are asked to observe regarding
a kitchen and dining hall; Coastal Ecosystems
Educational Opportunities water, diving and personal safety. All divers must

a full service dive locker.; and

Invasive Species present proof of dive certification and must have
dive insurance. The field station is connected to the
Local and foreign primary schools, high schools Ocean Research
multimedia equipment, including a LCD mainland and the world through wireless internet.
and tertiary level schools can visit the field Endangered Marine Species
projector.
station for field trips and courses. The CCFS There is also a VHF system in place for communica-
provides guest lectures on the marine ecology of In addition to research there are various long-term tion within the atoll, the mainland in case of
Belize and engage students in hands-on monitoring programs conducted at the CCFS, emergencies, or with the Coast Guard. All vessels
monitoring experiences. including: are equipped with marine and handheld radios. In
case of serious accidents the CCFS has an emergen-
Coral reef, mangrove, seagrass ecosystem cy response and evacuation plan that all guests are
monitoring
familiarized with. For hurricanes and tropical
Coral bleaching monitoring storms there is an evacuation plan with clearly out-
Coral Spawning lined instructions in such an event.

Monitoring of herbivores

Lionfish monitoring

Seagrass Net Monitoring

Fish Spawning Aggregations (SPAGs)

Fisheries monitoring