SCUBAnaut News
Scholarship Program in Action
This past year has been a phenomenal experience in the organization, and I feel honored to be a member. The scholarship program provided me with most of the gear, and all of the training I need. I’ve felt overwhelmed at times, but that’s just because I’m still new to this whole diving thing. Overall I would say that SCUBAnauts has had a phenomenal impact on my life, and I can’t wait to continue my journey.
A New Generation of Corals
This week, 6 other SCUBAnauts and I departed to Mote Marine Laboratory in Summerland Key, Florida. Mote requested SCUBAnauts to help record first time data on the spawning of outplanted Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis). Mote Marine Lab uses one form of coral...
Red Lights Only – A Coral Spawn Tale
I was assigned to look after two tanks that had two to three pieces of coral in them. After a couple of hours, a different tank that I was not watching over started to spawn while my coral never started to set. Setting is the process where the coral start to create their gamete bundles.
Coral Restoration, BINGO and Night Dives
On Thursday we were in a MOTE coral nursery, restoring and helping staghorn coral. We did this by splitting into 2-3 groups and worked on coral trees made of PVC pipe. When corals are in a high density, the spread of disease is more efficient, just as it is with human...
Diving at USC Wrigley Institute
SCUBAnauts spent two days diving at USC Wrigley Institute to learn about Southern California’s marine ecosystems and survey methods.
Four Dives at Casino Point
This next dive we laid down three 15-meter transect lines right through the kelp forest. Our goal was to divide into three buddy pairs and do three types of surveys each on these lines. These three surveys consisted of an invert survey, which we counted all species of invertebrates on and two meters around the transect, an algae survey…
California, Here We Come
I had never been so excited for a 7:30 flight! The other Nauts and I arrived at the airport with anticipation as our new adventure was just beginning. After a seamless transition through security and boarding, we were all on our way to Southern California! After what...
Hips Don’t Lie – Land Lubbers Have Fun Too
The first week of June, ten SCUBAnauts traveled to the Florida Keys for a week of diving. This was a special trip, because none of the nauts had been on a summer mission before, and they were scheduled to undertake 24 dives in just 7 days! Each team was responsible for developing and executing a science project with some dives to support our coral restoration partners sprinkled in the middle. See what Crystal River naut Lena has to say about the first three days. It’s not just about the diving!
Capitol Hill Ocean Week Returns
Each year, SCUBAnauts attempts to fly up to Washington D.C. to take part in Capitol Hill Oceans Week (CHOW). Unfortunately, due to the Corona Virus, the last two years for CHOW have been a virtual event. This year, however, the event was in-person. We arrived on...
Environmental Hearings and Politics
My favorite part of the trip, however, was sitting in on a hearing of an environmental committee in congress. As an individual who is interested in a career in politics, the debate was extremely interesting. It was fascinating to see how the vastly different agendas of the Republican and Democratic parties interacted on environmental issues.