The team was in Punta Gorda for the first day of the expedition. Over dinner and coffee, volunteers and staff members got to know each other and went over the general daily plans of the expedition. On the morning of day 2, the team went by boat to Lime Caye, where they ate lunch and were given an introduction to the site, a talk about safety, and a description of the background of the project and data recording techniques. The team then practiced the field techniques on land and in shallow water until all volunteers felt comfortable with them. That evening, they discussed the day’s activities and clarified any confusion about research techniques. The rest of the expedition was devoted to data collection and entry. Each night after dinner, the team reviewed the day’s activities, recorded data, and discussed the next day’s schedule.
Throughout the expedition, the project staff led discussions on marine conservation, focusing on tropical marine reserves and the need to build capacity in local stakeholders. Colleagues from the University of Belize, SEA Belize, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, and the Belize Department of Fisheries were invited to discuss local culture and conservation-related issues. Project staff also took volunteers on island walks and led snorkeling trips to the barrier reef. In addition to scheduled discussions, the staff encouraged discussions during breaks, meals, and all other periods of down time.