Projects

Saving our Oceans and Waterways: Invasive species are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats.

Lionfish Management and Monitoring: This invasive Non-native lionfish have become a major problem in the Western Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and in the Gulf of Mexico, by destroying the health of the reefs. This lionfish invasion is the worst man-made ecological disaster because they are out-breeding, out-competing and out-living native fish stocks and other marine species. The consequences will no doubt impact the food security and economies affecting over a hundred million people. Go to Supporting Documents.

Out-breeding: Lionfish are the fastest breeder in the Western Atlantic Basin. In favorable conditions female lionfish can release egg masses approximately every 4 days, up to 2 million eggs a year.

Out-competing: Lionfish can eat prey over half the size of its body. Its stomach can expand up to 30 times the normal volume. They are not picky eaters and feed indiscriminately. Scientists have cataloged over 70 different species that lionfish will eat through, from stomach content analysis. In addition to the fish they eat, they also eat invertebrates and mollusks – shrimp, crabs, juvenile octopus, squid, juvenile lobster, sea horses, etc.

Out-living: Lionfish have decimated indigenous fish and marine populations. The documented consequences are: commercially important species such as grouper, tuna, snapper, have become more difficult to catch in some Caribbean waters. This has negatively impacted on fishing-tourism and prices in supermarkets and restaurants. The additional concern is that fishermen and entire fishing communities can lose their livlihoods. Go to Supporting Documents.

Red Cross: Venezuela’s health system has been decimated by corruption, economic collapse and government mismanagement. The Red Cross and hospitals are facing shortages of everything. The Red Cross has asked Black Swan Foundation to help buy medical supplies and to fund its programs for the needy in Venezuela. Go to Supporting Documents.

Platforma Medica: is a medical NGO which has reached out to Black Swan Foundation for funding and assistance to purchase special ambulances that can be used as surgical units. Go to Supporting Documents.

Catholic Church Archdiocese of Venezuela: has asked Black Swan Foundation to provide funding to the Church, in order for the Church to maintain its community programs as a lifeline to those in need. Food, medicine and other shortages have caused a deepening humanitarian crisis in the country. Go to Supporting Documents. Go to Supporting Documents.