SCUBAnauts International - Mission To increase the attraction of science and technology careers in today s youth To expand and promote STEM related opportunities for youth explorers To promote active citizenship, and develop effective leadership skills by directly engaging them in advanced scuba diving, underwater exploration, and research activities SCUBAnauts International All Photos Copyrighted by SNI
SCUBAnauts International Education through Exploration Non-profit 501(c)(3) organization 100% Volunteer Extensive Dive Training AAUS Proper Insurances 30 foot Catamaran Dive Boat
Non-profit & Insured SCUBAnauts International
Volunteer Services Provided Video transects and benthic survey summaries submitted with FDEP permit application Benthic Summary of Alternative Site A Species List of Benthic Flora, Fauna, and Fish anticipated to inhabit reef balls Army Corps Permit RAI Responses (Questions 1, 3, and Literature Search Colonization Monitoring Proposal SCUBAnauts International
Benthic Surveys Reef Sites SCUBAnauts International
Benefits of Shallow Artificial Reefs Enhance Marine Fisheries Habitat for Sea Turtles Recreational Opportunities Fishing and Snorkeling Extensive Education/Research Opportunities Tourism Green Sea Turtle` Gag Grouper SCUBAnauts International All Photos Copyrighted by SNI
Expected Fish Recruitment Table 1. Fish species likely to occupy artificial reef module Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) Belted Sandfish (Serranus subligarius) Black Margate (Anisotremus surinamensis) Black Seabass (Centropristis striata) Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) Gulf Flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) Gulf Toadfish (Opsanus beta) Gulf Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) Inshore lizardfish (Synodus foetens) Mangrove Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboidses) Red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) Rock Seabass (Centropristis Philadelphia) Sand Perch (Diplectrum formosum) Cowfish (Acanthostracion quadricornis) Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus) Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) Slippery Dick- Initial Phase (Halichoeres bivittatus) Spottail pinfish (Diplodus holbrookii) Tomtate (Haemulon aurolineatum) Threadfin (Polydactylus spp) White Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) Zebratail Blenny (Hypleurochilus caudovittatus) SCUBAnauts International All Photos Copyrighted by SNI Red Grouper Cocoa Damselfish
Fish Recruitment Hog Snapper Mangrove Snapper White Grunt SCUBAnauts International Spotted Pinfish
Fish Recruitment Pelagic species anticipated to utilize reef modules for foraging Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) Crevalle, Common Jack (Caranx hippos) Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) SCUBAnauts International All Photos Copyrighted by SNI
Recruitment of Stony corals Lesser Starlet (Siderastrea radians) Massive Starlet (Siderastrea sidereal) Knobby Star (Solenastrea hyades) Blushing Star Coral (Stephanocoenia intersepta) Rose Coral (Manicina areolata) Robust Ivory Coral (Oculina robusta) Cladocora arbuscula.
Colonization of Sponges Giant barrel and vase sponges Xestospongia muta and Ircinia campana. Brown bowl sponge Cribrochalina vasulum Tube sponge Aiolochroia crassa Rope sponge Rhaphidophlus juniperinus Loggerhead sponge Speciospongia vesparium SCUBAnauts International All Photos Copyrighted by SNI
Education and Research Opportunities The shallow reef project provides many education and research opportunities Fisheries enhancement studies Reef design studies Studies of colonization rates of algae, coral, sponges, and other marine flora SCUBAnauts International
Scubanaut International Slides on Background of SNI SCUBAnauts International
Annual safety/dive training Diver s Alert Network (DAN) training DFAPD (CPR, FA, AED, diving-related injuries) Currently 16 DAN Instructors in SNI SCUBA Lifesaving Accident Management Equivalent to Rescue Diver qualification Annual swim test for all divers Require DAN insurance SCUBAnauts International
AAUS member organization American Academy of Underwater Scences SNI Dive Control Board approves all diving Dive Safety Officer in every chapter All divers obtain divers physical Complete checkout dive Pass annual swim test Complete annual SLAM training AAUS depth certifications & progressions Complete all scientific diver qualifications SCUBAnauts International
Dive tracking system Internal system called MANTA to keep track of diver eligibilty such as: Certifications, depth qualification, gear maintenance, swim test completion, DAN insurance, annual safety training, etc Required monthly updates by members SCUBAnauts International
SNI Diving abilities SNI boats Lifetime Dives for SNI Divers 2013 0-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 101-150 151-200 >200 SCUBAnauts International
SCUBAnaut Data Collection and Research Reef Assessments - Document Benthic Communities and Health Standardized method - Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Fish Abundance and Diversity Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment
SCUBAnaut Data Collection and Research Seagrass Distribution and Species Composition Photographs and Video Long Term Temperature Data Individual Research Projects Student Science Fair Projects Masternaut Projects
SCUBAnaut Data Collection and Research Data Collection Regions and Frequency Springs Coast - Monthly from April through November Florida Keys - Annually (Summer) Belize - Every two years Comparisons of Different Regions and Habitats Glover s Reef, Belize
Local Coral and Fish Identification Photograph Guides
Why SCUBAnauts? SCUBAnauts International
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