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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Marine Scientists Explore Deep and Shallow Reefs off Fiji
Triton sub and divers
Halmos College Professor Charles Messing and Research Scientist Brian Walker have been in Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean since May 12 as part of a grass-roots initiative called Project Baseline, set up by Global Underwater Explorers to contribute to the conservation of the world’s aquatic environments. This expedition focuses on improving the understanding of the health of Fiji’s deep- and shallow-water reefs. The project team also includes technical divers from the US and New Zealand, faculty and students from University of the South Pacific. Based on the Motor Yacht Ad-Vantage, the team is using scuba, rebreathers, and a Triton submersible capable of reaching depths of 1,000 meters. The project has so far carried out photographic and video surveys of coral reefs and deeper-water habitats at Navula Reef, west of the main island of Viti Levu, and Astrolabe Reef off Kadavu Island to the south.
Project Baseline Fiji divers on reef
Some of the shallow reefs retain lavishly diverse and healthy coral communities, whereas others—particularly some closer to larger human communities—show signs of substantial deterioration. Deeper-water habitats are dominated by a wide variety of sea fans accompanied by black corals, featherstars, soft corals, sponges, and fishes. Messing and Walker return to the US on May 30.
Additional photos and information can be found here