FWC SCUBAnauts

Florida students team with federal, state agencies to study coral reefs

Tampa Bay area students will work hand in hand this summer with scientists
from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to attempt to
document the spawning of staghorn coral in the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary. Students with SCUBAnauts International, a youth
education organization, will be in Key Largo Aug. 7-11 to help biologists
better understand this species’ reproduction.

Staghorn coral is classified as a federally threatened species. Although
scientists have never documented the spawning of staghorn coral in the
Florida Keys, they can determine the approximate time of the spawning,
based on the behavior of related coral species. Staghorn coral spawn only
once a year. The spawning activity is brief, lasting only for about 15
minutes in one evening, making it a challenge to observe.

During their trip, the students will make several dives each night until
the spawning occurs. With the help of FWC and NOAA scientists, SCUBAnauts
students will scientifically document the event and collect sperm and eggs
released by spawning corals. NOAA will use the sample to promote new coral
growth and assist in recovering the species.

“We selected 25 of our most advanced kids, because we know they can handle
the rigors of repetitive night-diving and perform the science tasks
required to successfully complete this research project,” said Dr. David
Palandro, an FWC research scientist who volunteers as Chief Scientist for
SCUBAnauts International. “We hope this project will foster continued
collaboration between the FWC, NOAA, and the SCUBAnauts.”

SCUBAnauts International is a nonprofit organization committed to
educating 12- to 18-year-old students about the marine environment.
Professional scientists and divers train SCUBAnauts students to meet the
same qualifications as professional science divers. This training includes
CPR, first aid, rescue diver training, oxygen administration and other
skills.

SCUBAnauts students have performed scientific dives in Hawaii, the
Bahamas, Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys and other
locations. This summer, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
recognized the organization for its volunteer and environmental work at
the Capitol Hill Ocean Week awards dinner in Washington, D.C. Last year,
while in Washington for the same event, White House staff invited the
students to meet with first lady Laura Bush.

For information about SCUBAnauts, visit www.scubanautsintl.org. More
information on coral reef research is available at
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/ or http://research.MyFWC.com.

To view this press release online visit
http://research.myfwc.com/news/view_article.asp?id=32807.