Seaw rds The Marine Option Program Newsletter
June 2016/Photography Issue
34 “I love taking pictures of people
in the ocean because I think there’s such beauty in the way people move in the water (I may have a thing for mermaids).”
MOP SPRING GRADUATION NEW HOPE FOR CORAL REEFS A TRIBUTE TO PAUL JOKIEL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
June 2016
Volume XXX, Number 6
Articles Page 3: Letter from the Editor Page 4: MOP Graduation Page 6: Critter of the Month Page 7: A Tribute to Paul Jokiel Page 8: 5 Simple Tips for Better and Safer Underwater Photos Page 10: New Hope for Coral Reefs Page 12: Ocean Updates Page 15: Flashback Page 16: Generation Blue Page 18: Marine Mammal of the Month Page 20: Calander of Events Page 22: 4th Annual Photography Contest
About the Photography -Cover: Bryant Grady, UHH MOP Student, Photography Contest Winner 2016 -Table of Contents: Kristina Smolenski, UHM MOP Student -June calendar of events: Taylor Shedd, UHM MOP Alumnus -Back cover: Sean Dimoff, UHM MOP Student, Photography Contest Runner-Up Winner -All uncredited photos by: MOP -Disclaimer: any photo taken from flickr.com is used under the Creative Commons License and is credited appropriately with links to the user’s flickr account.
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Letter from the Editor
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loha Readers,
Seawords would like to present to you the 4th Annual Photography Issue! This year also includes our monthly content, as well as a tribute to Paul Jokiel. We hope you enjoy this year’s photography issue. Thank you to those to sent in their photos, this issue would not be possible without your amazing work. Congratulations! Thank you for reading,
Camra Hopper, Seawords Editor Seawords Volume XXX, Number 6, May 2016 Editor: Camra Hopper Dr. Cynthia Hunter (éminence grise) Jeffrey Kuwabara (éminence grise) Seawords- Marine Option Program University of Hawai‘i, College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Telephone: (808) 956-8433 Email: <seawords@hawaii.edu> Website: <http://www.hawaii.edu/mop> Seawords is the monthly newsletter of the Marine Option Program at the University of Hawai‘i. Opinions expressed herein are not necessariliy those of the Marine Option Program or of the University of Hawai‘i. Suggestions and submissions are welcome. Submissions may include articles, photography, art work, or anything that may be of interest to the marine community in Hawai‘i and around the world. All photos are taken by MOP unless otherwise credited.
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Student Perspective
MOP GRADUATION: SPRING 2016
Graduates:
University of Hawai’i at Manoa Jade Austin- Certificate Title: Marine Education Project Title: The importance of marine education
Sean Dimoff- Certificate Title: Underwater Research Techniques Project Title: Research in remote locations: Kiritimati Natalie Dornan- Certificate Title: Marine Microbial Research Project Title: Exposure to marine microbial research as a seagoing oceanographic assistant Caroline Greenwood- Certificate Title: Marine Biogeochemistry Project Title: Sub-canopy biogeochemistry in Acanthophora spicifera Stephanie Kung- Certificate Title: Surfing Community Research Project Title: Understanding seascapes through the eyes of Honoli’i surfers Chris Lowe- Certificate Title: Aquaculture Project Title: Aquaculture internship at the Waikiki Aquarium Kevin Morris- Certificate Title: Seafood Genetics Project Title: Identifying seafood fraud in Hawai’i Adam Potter- Certificate Title: Marine Education Project Title: Ocean education for elementary children in Walled Lake School District Megan Russell - Certificate Title: Dive Education Project Title: UH Manoa Dive Safety Office internship: The development of a UH scientific Roxanna Saadatzadeh- Certificate Title: Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Project Title: The care of injured and/or sea turtles at Clearwater Marine Aquarium Elsei Tellei - Certificate Title: Intertidal Monitoring Project Title: Linking invasive species in the intertidal to anthropogenic inputs University of Hawai’i at Hilo Jenna Budke- Certificate Title: Reef Restoration Project Title: Restoring the reef, one coral at a time: internship with Coral Restoration and Ocean Reef Club 4| Seawords
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n May 5th, 2016 the Marine Option Program held their 90th graduation ceremony for one of the largest graduating class. This year the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Windward Community College held their graduation at UH Mānoa, while the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo celebrated their graduates on their home campus. As family, friends and graduates enjoyed the potluck, welcoming remarks were presented by Jeff Kuwabara, UH Mānoa MOP Coordinator. Kuwabara also introduced the keynote speaker, Tony Montgomery, MOP Alumnus and Marine Biologist for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Montgomery’s keynote, “Intersections of Life: A Marine Science Career Pathway,” demonstrated the many different ways one’s career pathway might look like while pursuing marine science. Many connections along the way were made through MOP, but no matter where life takes anyone of us, the most important part is family. Kuwabara, Dr. Cindy Hunter (MOP Director) and Dave Krupp (Windward CC MOP Coordinator) presented skill project awards and each graduate with their MOP Certificates. As they were presented they each spoke about their future plans and explained what their skill project entailed. Closing remarks were given by Dr. Hunter. The MOP ‘ohana would like to congratulate everyone for their dedication and wish everyone the best of luck on their intersections of life! n
June Fuifatu- Certificate Title: Phycology Project Title: Identifying macroalgae from American Samoa collected in 1992 and developing a map comparing characterization of locations between Hawai’i and American Samoa Danielle Larson - Certificate Title: Marin e Education Project Title: Education al outreach coordinator internship Kailey H. Pascoe - Certificate Title: Coral Disease Research Project Title: Coral disease and community structure throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Windward Community College Jayton K. Galario- Certificate Title: Marine Biology Project Title: Investigation of Palaemon debilis as a potential biological agent for removing debris from Gracilaria salicornia Konrad Heather- Certificate Title: Career Mentoring Project Title: Castle High School geology-archaeology-agriculture career explorations program Madori Rumpungworn- Certificate Title: Open Source Technology Project Title: Motion detection systems in aquaculture research facility and further implications Samantha E. Shipley- Certificate Title: Marin e Art Project Title: Gyotku made from Hawaiian silicone fish casts using a smooth cast method
JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |5
critter of the month
Portuguese Man O’ War By: Mason Mellot
Photo by: Francis Mariani, Flickr
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he Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis) is a carnivorous invertebrate often mistaken for a jellyfish,but in fact it is a siphonophore, a collection of organisms working together in mutualistic relationships. The man o’ war is made up of four organisms: a gas filled pneumatophore, tentacles, a polyp that contains digestive organs, and a polyp that contains reproductive organs. The most prolific of these organisms is the sail-like pneumatophore, and the tentacles that can extend 165 feet and contain venom-filled nematocysts to paralyze or kill prey. Stings from the Portuguese man o’ wars are extremely painful, but rarely fatal. They range throughout all mid latitude oceans. Along with box jellyfish, Carybdea alata, the Portuguese man o’ war is one of the most common causes of stings in the Hawaiian Islands. Both of these animals come close to shore about 8 days after a full moon. To avoid being stung avoid swimming or surfing 7-10 days after the full moon or at beaches with “beware of jellyfish” signs. n
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Paul Jokiel
A Tribute to Paul Jokiel
Written by Ku‘ulei Rodgers PhD, Coral Reef Ecologist at Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology Dr. Paul Louis Jokiel was known as a brilliant scientist that contributed greatly to the field of Marine Science. Over the span of his 50 year career he was always well ahead of the times whether it was describing thermal stress in the 70s, U/V light, photo-inhibition, and dispersal in the 80s, water motion, monitoring, coral physiology, community metabolism in the 90’s and more recently helping us understand the impact of humanity and climate change. He established the first widespread monitoring program in the state that will continue in perpetuity. He developed buoyant weighing, clod cards for measuring water motion, and CO2 dispersion techniques that are used worldwide. Researchers can all thank him for many of the coral reef ecology concepts we take for granted today. His groundbreaking development of the vortex model in the field of biogeography served as a basis for later connectivity work. Major breakthroughs include the well-established “rafting
theory” that explains how corals travel long distances and the “Proton Flux Model” that provides us with a better understanding of coral metabolic responses as they relate to ocean acidification. He was in the forefront in research involving coral restoration, reproduction, dispersal and various impacts on coral reefs. This research was applied to legislative actions, management strategies, and educational curriculum. The exceptional mentoring he provided to his graduate students continues on through the positions they hold in higher education, federal and state government agencies, and management. Over the past 30 years he also mentored numerous recovering addicts in the 12-step program. He made a meaningful and lasting contribution to humanity by serving a cause greater than his own. Paul was a living legend and his legacy will live on in the hundreds of publications he authored and the lives that he touched. n
Jokiel and Ulua aurochs at Midway Atoll. Courtesy of Ku‘ulei Rodgers PhD.
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5 Simple Tips for Better and Safer Underwater Photos By Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Student
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ince the rise of waterproof phone cases and affordable GoPro cameras, almost anyone can take good underwater pictures. While fun and rewarding, using a camera while diving or snorkeling can also pose a safety risk. By applying these simple techniques and maintaining your awareness you’ll be able to get better quality images while elevating your water safety.
ity.
1) Take care of your equipment – This seems a bit mundane but you can’t take any pictures or videos with a flooded system! Be sure to read your manufacturer’s manual before using and determine how often you need to lubricate your o-rings, if at all. Thoroughly inspect your o-rings, looking for any dirt or foreign material. I have a dive buddy that flooded his $5,000 camera because of one hair on his o-ring! Inspect your housing and make sure it latches all the way closed. Turn your camera on and test it before taking in the water. Some people even like to immerse their latched housings without the camera to test for leaks first.
shadows and darker images when shooting straight down. Instead trying taking pictures or video with the lens tilted up slightly so you can capture more ambient light. You may be surprised by how much brighter and by the extra color your pictures will have!
3) Experiment with your settings – Your settings can make a huge difference are often the easiest things to change to produce better results. When shooting video, your frames per second (FPS) will dictate how much light the lens receives. Higher settings such as 100 FPS are good for fast moving objects but you won’t get that same high quality color. On the other side, lower settings like 24 FPS Behind the Lens, Beneath the Sea will give better image quality but tend to be blurrier un With “selfies,” Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, derwater. If you are prone to blurry images try increasing sharing pictures has become part of our daily lives. Ten your shutter speed (like doing a 3 shot burst with GoPro) or years ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find any sort of camincreasing the FPS for video. era that took adequate pictures that did not cost a fortune. In the age of GoPros and Lifeproof cases, just about every- Be wary of pre-programmed features like “Pro Tune” or one is an amateur photographer. That being said, have you “Low Light” modes that can actually make your images look ever watched a diving video and have almost gotten sea sick worse. When using my GoPro, personally, I set it to “Low from all the shakiness? Or the image was so dark and blue Light – OFF.” With that feature on, it artificially brightens that you couldn’t tell what was there? Here are some simple whatever you are filming giving it pixilated “noise.” tips to take better pictures with your camera. 4) Shoot with the camera tilted up – You’ll find more
5) Use a red filter and post production editing – Red is the first color in the light spectrum to disappear underwater. This is why after about 10m/33ft you will notice your pictures look very blue. Invest in a cheap red filter to really raise the caliber of your photos underwater. After you’ve taken your images, use an editing software to polish your After diving, rinse your camera as per the manufacturer’s pictures. Picasa is a great example of a free and easy to use recommendations. Often times this includes soaking it in software. warm water for about one hour. Completely dry your housThe Image of Safety ing before attempting to open and store your housing in a However perceptual narrowing can pose a big safety condry place out of direct sunlight. cern when we get too focused behind the lens and forget 2) Slow and steady wins the race – Exercise control what’s around us. Here are some simple tips to stay safe and move slowly when taking video. If you think are going while taking pictures snorkeling or on SCUBA. slow enough, go even slower. If diving, practice your buoyMaster your camera on land before taking it in ancy control and finning techniques to avoid shakiness. You 1) may want to invest in a simple camera tray for added stabil- the water – The time to learn how to use your camera is not 8| Seawords
UHH MOP Student, Tyler Phelps, lines up to take a shot of some soft coral in Utila, Honduras. Photo by Tina Sotis. snorkeling through waves over a shallow reef or 60ft below the surface. It seems tedious but read your Owner’s Manual to learn about the all features your camera has to offer. Practice using your camera and navigating your settings on land until you totally feel comfortable.
Coincidentally, most dive accidents also occur with less than 12 dives in a particular configuration or task loading (such as drysuit, photography, wreck dives, etc.). It’s paramount for your safety not to add additional task loading until you feel comfortable underwater. If you are a new diver, resist bringing the GoPro or camera un2) Maintain your awareness – It’s a common actil you have a dozen dives. On the bright side you’ll be ceptance among the diving community that photogramore comfortable with buoyancy and your shots will be phers make the worst dive buddies because they are so that much better! focused on getting the perfect shot. Be the exception! Adjust your settings, then check with your buddy. Take 5) Never put the picture before your safety! – one photo, then check with your buddy. Cycle through While it’s tempting to follow the eagle ray into deeper your three spheres of awareness so you constantly know water or push your gas to make the dive last a little lonwhere your buddy is, depth, and remaining gas pressure ger, never compromise your safety. Don’t only think of in between shots. your own safety, but also think about your dive buddy or team mates. Remember your gas is also theirs in the 3) Discipline your buoyancy – Often times I see event of an emergency. If you’re running low on gas, photographers laying on the bottom, including coral, to how much of does that leave both of you if someone has get the “right shot.” Practice your buoyancy until you a problem? can be neutral without consciously thinking about it. This will make your dives that much easier when you Taking pictures underwater is supposed to be fun but add the additional task loading of a camera. when you’re not comfortable, added anxiety can get in the way. By getting comfortable behind your rig and 4) Don’t use a camera on SCUBA until you’re practicing these simple tricks, you’ll be a better and safcomfortable! - It takes a newly certified diver an averer photographer! n age of 12 dives before feeling comfortable underwater. JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |9
Features
New Hope For Coral Reefs By Jessica Lotts, UHM MOP Student
Amazon River. Photo by CIFOR, Flickr
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team of American and Brazilian scientists uncovered 600 miles of coral reef at the mouth of the Amazon River on April 21st. The coral and sponge reef spans more than 3,600 square miles across the sea floor on the South American continental shelf, as stated in The Atlantic. This discovery could bring new hope to the future of coral growths everywhere.
According to the journal Science, the discovery of this reef has taken 30 years. The reef was uncovered by Patricia Yager, a professor of oceanography and climate change at the University of Georgia. Yager’s original project involved the exploration of how the Amazonian plumes effect carbon dioxide absorption in the ocean using a host vehicle called the RV Atlantis. It wasn’t until senior Brazilian scientist, Rodrigo Moura discussed the use of the RV Atlantis to search for a reef Moura suspected could be hidden beneath the surface. According to The Atlantic, Moura considered the reefs existence after discovering a paper from 1977, which discussed fisherman that had caught fish outside the river mouth which would indicate the presence of reefs. However this massive discovery did not come easily. Yager’s expedition was continually denied by the Brazilian government. It wasn’t until Yager added a group of Brazilian oceanographers that the government allowed them access to the river mouth. Researchers were skeptical of the reefs existence, given that the river contains some of the muddiest water in the world. Before this discovery, it was well known that in order for coral species to live and thrive, they needed lots of sunlight, along with clear, clean saltwater. The Amazonian reef defies all those former known necessities for coral reefs. Not only is the water murky and dark, the location at the river mouth dilutes the waters salinity. The biological aspects of the reef have given the researchers a few theories on the reefs survival. One thought is that the more coral and staghorn covered southern section of the reef is only covered by plumes three months out of the year, giving it time to photosynthesize, as opposed to the sponge covered northern side which is shielded most of the year. With this discovery, a new door has opened into the potential of coral reef development. It shows the potential of coral to survive harsher ocean environments along with a hint of how tropical reefs could possibly survive warming water temperatures caused by global warming. With the world being in its third wave of global coral bleaching, the understanding of this reef is more important than ever. The discovery was made after the team used a dredge shipped from The University of Washington. The Atlantic stated Moura knew exactly where he wanted to dredge. The dredging brought a bounty of corals, sponges, fish, and stars that shocked the research team. Unfortunately, this story does not have a happy ending yet. Within the past decade, the Brazilian government has made plans for oil exploration directly onto the reef. The government has already sold 80 blocks dedicated for oil exploration, 20 of which have already begun drilling and producing oil, according to The Atlantic. There are currently no further actions reported on the future of these oil rigs, however Care2 has already created a petition to stop the oil drilling. The petition currently has over 2,000 signatures, and can be signed at http://www.care2.com/ causes/scientists-just-discovered-a-coral-reef-the-size-of-delaware-hiding-underneath-the-amazon.html
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cean updates
By Keelee Martin, UHH MOP Student
Temperature and Salinity: Factors in Dolphin could be a result of increased prey in southern waters as a result of changing temperature. The relationship beMigration
tween dolphins’ temporary emigration and water temA new study from University of Georgia (UGA) pub- perature could be a secondary effect. The abundance of lished in April, sought to better understand seasonal dolphins by locations was related to salinity. With more migrations of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops trunca- rainfall during the spring, salinity values are lower, and tus). Bottlenose dolphins migrate to southern waters each fall and spring and it has been assumed that it is because of lower water temperatures, but there has been little evidence to support this theory. Anna Taylor, a Masters student at UGA and her colleagues have found evidence for this long accepted assumption as well as another factor: water quality. The study focused on the bottlenose dolphins’ seasonal migrations along the Southeastern Atlantic coast of the U.S. A better understanding of these migration patterns may help predict them and help reduce the risk of dolPhoto by: Natural England/Rebecca Walker, Flickr. phin entanglement in fishing gear as well as make for more reliable estimations of resident when evaporation increases during the summer, the salinity values rise. Two of the prey items of the bottlenose dolphin populations prior to migratory. dolphins are the Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyranIndividual dolphins were distinguished using photo nus) and the spot croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus). Juidentification (photo ID) of natural markings and shape veniles of these species inhabit low-salinity areas which of their dorsal fins. Data were collected in areas of South could draw dolphins to their nursing grounds in estuarCarolina and Georgia from estuarine rivers, bays, har- ies. This study found evidence for temperature and sabors, and tidal waters. Samples were taken during each linity as factors for migration although they are thought season: winter: December-February; spring: March- to be indirectly related. May; summer: June-August; fall: September-November. Boat-based surveys used photo ID to catalog new in- Smaller Whale Sharks: What does it mean? dividuals and match to previously identified individuWhale sharks (Rhincodon typus) can grow up to 12 meals using an existing database. Nearly 1000 individuals ters (40 ft.) and are found in tropical and subtropical were observed during the study. Water quality data, like waters around the globe. In Western Australia, at Ninwater temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity and galoo Reef, whale shark size has been measured for deturbidity were also taken. cades and scientists are finding that the largest sharks The study showed that migration was related to water they measure now are smaller than the largest sharks temperature, but the team argues that the movement measured in the past. Dr. Mark Meekan, Australian InJUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |11
Photo by: Daniel Sasse, Flickr. stitute of Marine Science, and Dr. Ana Sequeira, University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, realize this is a question that won’t be able to be answered using only local information.
searchers plan on using satellite tags and photo identification to discover where the 9-12 meter whale sharks are now. Dr. Meekan stated that, “Understanding the whereabouts of the biggest whale sharks will also help us understand how human activity such as industrial One estimation of sexual maturity in whale sharks is developments, fisheries and boat strike[s], might imtheir size. A sexually mature shark is about 9 meters (29 pact the animals.” Whale sharks are still a relatively eluft.) in length, though estimating sexual maturity by size sive species, with so much information yet to be discovis not always accurate. On the Ningaloo Reef, the largest ered. Obtaining the location of these large whale sharks sharks are being measured around 6 meters (20 ft.) and will assist scientists and lawmakers in deciding on ways with a history of larger sharks having been seen in the to best protect the so-called “gentle giants.” past it is believed that the largest sharks on this reef are juveniles, leaving scientists to wonder, where did all the Overfishing and Global Warming: A Killer Combig sharks go? bo in the Caribbean While it is still unknown what caused the shift on Ningaloo Reef, Dr. Sequeira stated that it’s important to figure out what changed for the conservation of their species. As Dr. Meekan and Dr. Sequeira now understand, this effort for locating whale sharks and documenting them will be a citizen science project. RePhoto by: Neil DeMaster, Flickr. 12| Seawords
In the Caribbean, an international team led by researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) examined coral reefs and has deemed it necessary to tighten fishing restrictions if the reefs are to have any future as climate change progresses on. It is not news that coral reefs are
facing climate change or overfishing, but how they in- catches.” teract with each other is still being researched.
New Life Partners for Bleaching Corals: Some Herbivores play vital roles in reef ecosystems as they eat Microalgae are Better seaweed and therefore assist corals keep their space on the reef and prevent them from being covered by algae and unable to bounce back. Parrotfish are but one kind of herbivores that remain targeted by fisheries. Belize, Bonaire, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are all Caribbean countries that have banned the fishing of parrotfish, but enough fisheries still exist to continue the problem of herbivore overfishing.
It has been hypothesized that corals have a mechanism to help deal with warmer ocean temperatures, but there has never been evidence until now. On Lord Howe Island’s coral reefs in Australia, a research team examined algal symbionts in two coral species after bleaching events in 2010 and 2011. Corals are kept alive by a symbiotic relationship (mutually beneficial) between themselves and microalgae that live in their polyps. The focus of this project was to examine the role of When water temperature increases corals may become parrotfish on the reef and how it is affected when they stressed and the microalgae leave the coral tissue, which are overfished. Dr. Yves-Marie Bozec of UQ’s School of results in coral bleaching. Biological Sciences and the ARC Center of Excellence The previous underfor Coral Reef Studies standing was that corstated that, “unreguals only secured Symlated fisheries will sebiodinium (genus of riously reduce the remicroalgae found in silience of coral reefs.” corals) in their tissues This kind of concluduring their juvenile sion is not surprising life stages and held on as history shows that to that same type for unregulated fisheries the rest of their lives. are not sustainable. This study found that Dr. Bozec suggests that some corals have the executing size restricability to swap their tions and catch limits algal partners later in of less than 10% of the their adult lives. This fishable stock will be ability to trade syma finer future for coral bionts may help correefs while permitting Bleaching Corals at Lord Howe Island, by Peter Harrison als better adjust to a the fishery to still exist. changing climate and Because fisheries are such important economic indus- come back from bleaching events, as some microalgae tries to many countries, eliminating catch completely is allow corals to be more heat-tolerant than others. sometimes unrealistic. What task remains is to come up with creative ways to regulate fisheries while allowing In order to find what kinds of symbiotic algae were presthem to continue so that the resource is still sustain- ent on the reefs at Lord Howe; the research team used able. Dr. Bozec, and the rest of this study’s researchers, new DNA sequencing techniques that are more sensiurge that what is needed are new science-based regula- tive to analyze thousands of microalgal symbionts. In tions to assist countries in the Caribbean that are will- the two species of coral studied, the diversity of microing to modify their fisheries to reduce the stress on the algae present in the polyps was vast. In addition, some reef. The countries unwilling to modify will have conse- of the corals that survivedhrough the bleaching had quences to pay as the study’s co-author, Professor Peter been found with new algal types in their polyps. One Mumby of UQ’s School of Biological Sciences explains; of these new algal symbionts grew in abundance and “We already know that failure to maintain coral habitats represented one third of the microalgae present in the will lead to at least a threefold reduction in future fish corals sampled. This observation is the first evidence of JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |13
corals acquiring microalgae in the adult stage.
In past studies, the research team found that many fishes take in the blue light and emit neon greens, reds and The researchers want to expand this study from suboranges in their fluorescence. For this study a camera tropical waters to tropical regions to see if other coral was designed to so that its lighting mimicked that of species are capable of acquiring new symbiodinium, the ocean’s light as well as capture the light emitted by especially if the new algal partners make them better organisms. able to cope with temperature increases. With mass bleaching events occurring on reefs all over the world, The targets of this research were two species of catsharks: it is important to understand what corals are capable of chain catsharks (Scyliorhinus retifer) and swellsharks surviving and adapting to and what they are not. (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum). The team worked with Ellis Loew, a veterinarian from Cornell University using Green Glow: Biofluorescence in Catsharks microspectrophotometry to understand how catshark’s It is already known that catsharks can exhibit bright eyes receive light. Catsharks have long rod pigments fluorescence, but scientists of the American Museum of that enable them to see in the low-light waters they inNatural History now believe that their biofluorescence habit. After understanding how the sharks see, the team enables them to locate other individuals of their species. designed their camera to see like a catshark. John Sparks, one of the paper’s authors and a curator The team took their camera on night dives in Scripps of the American Museum of Natural History’s DepartCanyon, San Diego County, to depths of 100 ft. Biofluoment of Ichthyology, said that this study is one of the rescence was stimulated in the sharks by emitting high first examples to show a link between the production intensity blue light arrays. The fluorescence then emitof fluorescence and visual capacity, which he states is, ted by the shark was undetectable to the human eye, but “a big step toward a functional explanation for fluoresnot to their specially equipped camera with a blue filter cence in fishes.” to only capture the green light from their study subjects. Biofluorescence is the ability in an organism to absorb A mathematical model was used with the images capand transform light and emit it as a different color. Over tured on the dives that tells researchers that the light 180 species of fishes are described producing fluoresce contrasts in fluorescence increase with depth, hinting in various colors and patterns. With the nature of depth, that the biofluorescence is not only easier to see deeper, the red end of the light spectrum is quickly swallowed but may be used as a way to communicate between inby the water, leaving the environment painted in blue. dividuals. n
Chain catshark’s (Scyliorhinus retifer) green fluorescence. J. Sparks, D. Gruber, and V. Pieribone 14| Seawords
FLASHBACK: 1997 This flashback goes back to February 1997, when MOP announced its first Pacific maritime archaeology and history program. This program offered a Graduate Maritime Archaeology and History Certificate, making UH the first academic institution in the region to offer a course in this field. This program was specifically designed for the Pacific because no other program was available. The MOP Director at the time, Sherwood Maynard, said that this program was important because other maritime archaeology programs mainly focused on the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Mediterranean. The Graduate Maritime Archaeology and History Certificate, however, only lasted five years before it was cut .Although this program no longer exists, MOP now offers a Maritime Archaeology Survey Techniques course every summer, also known as MAST.
JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHYâ&#x20AC;&#x2020; 2016â&#x20AC;&#x192; |15
By Jessica Lotts, UHM MOP Student
Actions for the Ocean
BLUE
2. Go to Ocean Fest. Join the North Shore Education Coalition along with top ocean educators for a fun and free ocean educational experiences. The educational booths include games for kids, and there a huge variety of teachers, scientists, and marine biologists ready to answer any questions you might have. The free event will be held at Turtle Bay on June 4th. For more info, check out their website at: https://www.hawaii.com/event/north-shore-ocean-fest-2016/
THE OCEAN SPANS OVER 70 PERCENT OF OUR WORLD. It is responsible for regulating temperature, food production, sustaining numerous species, and is a source for inspiration for many people.The ocean gives us so much and it is time for us to return the favor and take actions to make the ocean ecosystem healthy again. Almost every action that we take affects the ocean in some way. Our everyday choices can be tailored to support a healthy ocean. Here are some examples of green acts that will keep the ocean blue.
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irtually all life is connected to the sea. It covers over 75% of our planet and contains 97% of the Earth’s water. It provides us with food, oxygen, jobs, and a pathway to all walks of life. Yet despite its importance, we are constantly taking advantage of the oceans. We overfish, pollute, and harm the sea daily, but there are easy ways to help. Author Brian Herbert once said, “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” Just by making the choice to educate yourself about the ocean could have a huge impact. Learning changes perspectives, and with the right amount of knowledge there’s nothing you can’t do. Here are some free suggestions of how and where to educate yourself about our ocean.
1. Hanauma Bay Educational Podcasts. Hanauma Bay has a YouTube channel dedicated to the protection of the reef. They provide informational videos, documentation of different species found along with the basic guidelines for safe snorkeling. Their YouTube channel is named Hanauma Talks, and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCi74IR7v60pZy0Qzb4UF9wQ
3. Attend a free seminar on campus. UH offers many talks by marine experts that are free to attend. These seminars give scientist and researchers a chance to discuss their findings publicly and are a great opportunity to learn about specific aspects of the sea along with other biological subjects. A list of upcoming seminars can be found at: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/biology/seminars JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |17
Leopard Seal Marine Mammal of the Month:
Scientific Name: Hydrurga leptonyx Range: Antarctica perimeter Diet: Penguins, fish, squid, seal pups Size: 8-11.5 feet long
Maui’s Dolphin
By Jeremy Gasta, American Cetacean Society Student
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t nearly thirty feet long, boasting extreme intelligence, and having for now place them in the IUCN Red Lis an uncanny ability to take down much larger prey in packs, the orca, they seem to face no current threat of ex or killer whale (Orcinus orca), is the top predator of the Antarctic Part of the reason for their success may waters, if not the ocean as a whole. of prey items available to them – one of That’s not what we’re talking about here. ard seals are the only seals that have war diet. This expanded diet includes Antarc Instead, enter Antarctica’s other top predator: Hydrurga leptonyx, the leopard of other seal species, and occasionally ev seal. While not as large (or dangerous) as the orca, it is still among the most eat the standard pinniped fare, such as fi formidable marine mammals, and it occupies a higher spot on the food chain the seals have a very unique set of mola than any other of its pinniped (seal and sea lion) relatives. closed, allowing the animal to sieve th Also known as the sea leopard, this seal is the third largest pinniped in the superba) out of the water. This makes up world – reaching maximum lengths of 11.5 feet, weighing up to 1000 pounds Besides krill, penguins are leopard seal and has a dark grey back with a white, spotted underbelly, earning the creature catching an unfortunate penguin, the se its name. Comparisons to large African cats don’t stop there however – this seal, slapping it upon the surface of the wate with a noticeably sleeker design than its kin, not to mention a truly wickedsive, leopard seals demonstrate the inte looking set of teeth, is a voracious carnivore that can feast upon nearly every have, and will sometimes catch and kill p other creature in its domain, from penguins to fishes and even to other seals. than fun, much like a cat playing with a While orcas and sharks have occasionally been known to attack these seals, for gles researchers, as it appears to be a wa the most part, they stay out of the way of the smaller predator – it truly is the often do not eat the penguins killed in t leopard of the sea. Unfortunately, even as these are power While most people think of seals as social animals, leopard seals live a very solithin line between predatory and playfu tary lifestyle, living and hunting alone on the Antarctic pack ice, and only coma danger to humans, as any inquisitive ing together to breed. Because they are so isolated from one another, scientists dangerous. During Ernest Shackleton’s have had trouble getting even a simple population estimate of the species, but pedition of 1914-1917, a large leopard
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Leapard seal in Antarctica. Photo by: Gilad Rom, Flickr.
st’s “Least Concern” status, which means Thomas Orde-Lees on the ice (it wasn’t very successful). In 1985, a leopard seal xtinction. burst out of thin ice to attack explorer Gareth Wood, and bit him twice on the leg before his companions managed to fend the animal off with their crampons. be because they have such a wide range The most tragic incident was in 2003, when a seal grabbed snorkeling marine the perks of being a top predator. Leopbiologist Kirsty Brown and pulled her underwater to her death. The seals have rm-blooded prey as a usual part of their also been known, for heretofore unknown reasons, to attack black pontoons of ctica’s wide variety of penguins, the pups inflatable boats, prompting researchers to outfit their watercraft with protective ven full-grown adult seals. They will also equipment. fishes, shellfish, and squid. Furthermore, ars that interlock with each other when However, upon learning about these attacks, it’s important to understand that he abundant Antarctic krill (Euphausia they’re very rare, with only a handful having occurred, and only one fatality p almost half of the seal’s diet. ever occurring in recorded history. While sea leopards (along with all wild animals) are very unpredictable and should be treated with respect, many marine ls’ most common prey of choice. Upon biologists and Antarctic researchers have shared the water with them without eal will kill it promptly by shaking it and experiencing any aggressive behavior. One diver, National Geographic photoger. Although solitary and more aggresrapher Paul Nicklen, had an astounding encounter with a female seal who hung elligence and curiosity that other seals around him for days on end, continuously bringing him penguins. The seal penguins for seemingly no reason other presented Nicklen with healthy penguins, eventually moving onto injured and a mouse. Behavior such as this still bogfinally dead birds when the photographer wouldn’t accept them. This behavior aste of energy, especially since the seals seemed similar to a mother sea leopard teaching her young to hunt, causing this manner. scientists to believe that this specific animal saw Nicklen as a particularly inept rful beasts, the simple existence of this seal who could not figure out how to get food on his own, and decided to take ul behavior can potentially render them up the task of teaching him how. Whatever the reason for her behavior, it paints e encounter has a chance of becoming the leopard seal as being much more than the compassionless carnivore it has s famous Imperial Trans-Antarctic Ex- been seen as in the past. n seal tried to chase down crew member JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |19
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Letter to the Photographers
Dear Seawords Readers and Photographers, On behalf of Seawords I would like to congradulate every single one of you on your amazing photos, each are absolutely gorgeous. The MOP staff was granted with a difficult task in selecting our winners. We hope you enjoy the Fourth Annual Seawords Photography Contest! Along side a few of the images are describtions or fun facts. Along with our category winners, we have provided then with an optional interview and image of themselves. We hope you enjoy looking through the photos taken by all these wonderful photographers: Kristina Smolenski, UHM MOP Student Christina Redmond UHM MOP Student Bryant Grady, UHH MOP Student Julia Stewart, UHH MOP Student Sean Dimoff, UHM MOP Student
Devon Aguiar, UHH Marine Science Jessica Lotts, UHM MOP Student McKenna Lewis, UHM MOP Student Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Student Darin Padula, UHM MOP Student
Also, many thanks to Keoki Stender, photographer and owner of marinelifephotography. com for his help in determining the winner of the 2015 Photography Contest, Bryant Grady. The second place photo is by photographer Sean Dimoff, which is featured on the back cover of this issue. Thank you, Camra Hopper, Editor
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Contents:
THE PHOTOGRAPHY ISSUE 24
26
Keoki Stender
34 Topside
42 Under the Sea
Fauna
52 Flora JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |23
KEOKI STEN marinelife photographer
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NDER F
ormer UHM MOP student, Keoki Stender, started taking photos of marine life for MOP in 1990. This year he picked the winner of this year’s Annual Seawords Photography Competition.
“I enjoy observing and photographing marine life whether tidepooling, snorkeling, technical diving, or visiting aquariums. I was introduced to the ocean at an early age, fishing and visiting tidepools with my family. I learned to surf (kneeboard) at 12 and began building surfboards soon after. To stay busy while the surf was flat, I started free-diving to spear fish and collect shells, and got my NAUI Scuba certification in 1984 (I take only pictures now, not live animals). I own two businesses, Keoki’s Scuba repair and sell stock photography as Keoki Stender-MarinelifePhotography.com. I also teach scuba repair, underwater photography, scuba, and marine life identification for various agencies."n You can see more of Stender’s wonderful photography at his website, http://www.marinelifephotography.com. Also on his website you can find a link to his scuba repair shop, Keoki’s Scuba.
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Interview: Sean Dimoff UHM Student
Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A
: What is your connection to MOP?
: I was a MOP student from my sophmore to senior year. : How did you become interested in photography?
: Just last year I bought a camera and underwater housing. : What kind of camera did you use?
: I used a Canon S120 and an Ikelite housing. : What’s the story behind this photo?
: This picture was taken after doing a fish survey in Kiritimati for the Baum Lab out of University of Victoria. : When you go to take a photo what sorts of things do you look for?
: Every fun dive I take, I like to bring my camera just to see what kinds of pictures I can take.
Q A
: What is your favorite type of photo to take?
: My favorite photos are macro underwater shots because they let you see into another world so up close and observe details you wouldn’t notice with the naked eye. n
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Photo courtesy of Alexa Gonzalez, MOP Student Coordinator.
“The clam has a nice pattern on the mantle,” Stender said.
JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |29
Runners-up:
Runners-ups:
T
he spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, is a small dolphin found in offshore tropical waters around the world. They’re known as the spinner dolphins because of their acrobatic display in which they spin along its longitudinal axis as they leaps through the air. They are part of the family Delphinidae of toothed whales. The Hawaiian spinner dolphin is also known as Gray’s spinner dolphin and ranges within the Pacific Ocean around Hawaii, but represents a misture of broadly similar subtypes found around the world. Spinner dolphins are nocturnal creatures that tend to sleep in bays during the day. When hunting, they work in cooperative, organized groups and communicate via clicks and whistles to locate position of dolphins in the their group and to develop a strategy required for the successful hunt. The pods usually consist of 100 to 1,000 animals, making them very social animals. Some scientists believe that each spinner dolphin produces specific whistle which can be recognized by other members of their pod. Although these species weren’t directly hunted, tens of thousands of spinner dolphins were killed in the 30 years after purse seine fishing for tuna began in the 1950s. Currently, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) has imposed annual stock mortality limits on each purse seine and promulgated regulations regarding the safe release of dolphins.
Diving with Porpoise g Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Student
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← Waiopae Honu Devon Aguiar is a senior Marine Science major at UHH
T
he Honu, Chelonia mydas, within the Hawaiian Islands are also known as several different names, such as the green turtle, black (sea) turtle, or the Pacific green turtle. They are a large sea turtle named after the green color of the fat around the carapace, rather than the color of its skin or shell. It is also the only species in the genus Chelonia. Although they are very agile abd graceful within the water, reaching speeds of up tp 56 km/h (35 mph), on land they move slow, but will only venture there to lay their eggs. Females lay about 100 to 200 eggs every two to four years once they are sexually matured. Their diet consist of crabs, jellyfish, and other creatures as juveniles, but as adults they become herbivores and feed on sea grasses and algae. According to International Union for Conservation (IUCN), green turtles are listed as endangered, and their numbers are decreasing. Many of them are hunted by humans for their eggs, destruction of nesting areas and foraging areas, and sometimes they are accidentally caught in fishing nets. With these dangers they are protected under many treaties and laws.
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Fauna extended: gHooked White Tip
-Jessica Lotts, UHM MOP Student
i I do believe in fairies
-Darin Padula, UHM MOP Student
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iDouble Trouble
-Darin Padula, UHM MOP Student
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TOPSIDE
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Interview: McKenna Lewis UHM MOP Student Major: Global Environmental Science
Q A Q A
: Why did you join MOP?
: I joined MOP in the spring semester of 2016 after deciding I wanted more background in marine biology. : How did you become interested in photography?
: I became interested in photography after taking a PADI Underwater Photography course after getting scuba certified in high school. I soon became interested in film photography because I loved the raw feeling of it. I started out using cheap disposable cameras, then finally got a Nikonos III a couple years ago.
Q A Q A
during the early morning or late afternoon, with simple subjects and not too many distractions.
Q A
: What is your favorite type of photo to take?
: I love taking pictures of people in the ocean because I think there’s such beauty in the way people move in the water (I may have a thing for mermaids). n
: What kind of camera did you use?
: I used a Nikonos III film dive camera with 35 mm film : What’s the story behind this photo?
: I wanted to test out using Nikonos in low light, so after a long day of class, I headed to the nearest beach, Waikiki, crowded as always with people taking pictures in front of the sunset. I headed into the water and started snapping away, mostly taking pictures of the reflected dusk light on the water because it looked so beautiful, but ended up swimming toward the last surfers of the day to capture their silhouettes on the water.
Q A
: When you go to take a photo what sorts of things do you look for?
: I usually pay attention to lighting and simplicity. I like my photos to have softer lighting, like
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Photo courtesy of McKenna Lewis
“Creative angle and perspective,” Stender said.
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Runners-up: Runners-ups: Wave at Makalawena g
-Jessica Lotts, UHM MOP Student First runner up About Makalawena Beach: Although this is not the most easily accessible beach on the Big Island, it is easily one of the most beautiful and well worth the little bit of effort it takes to get there. In order to get to Makalawena you have two options, the easiest being to drive to Kekaha Kai Beach and from there walk north and approach Makalawena Beach from the south. The other option is to drive to it, but this one requires a real 4 Wheel Drive vehicle and a skilled driver on uneven terrain. To do this you will turn off Highway 19 almost exactly half way between mile marker 88 and 89. The beginning of this road is not very easy to spot, so keep your eyes open! A few facts: Accessibility: Difficult Parking: Limited Facilities: None Activities: Bodyboarding, Swimming, Snorkeling
Nā Pali Coast is a 15 which literally mean teristics sheer cliffs th experience Nā Pali sa also several tours avl
hRainbow Across Nā Pali
-Jessica Lotts, UHM MOP Student 38| Seawords
5 mile stretch of rugged coastline on the northwestern shore of Kauai, ns “the Cliffs.” Much of this coastline is inaccessible due to its charachat drop straight down, thoughts of feet into the ocean. If you wish to ailing, rafting, and hiking are the best ways to experience it. There are liable for Nā Pali and is listed as a “must-do” activity in while Kauai.
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Shipmans Beach, Punag
-Devon Aguiar, UHM MOP Student
f’In Transit’
-Sean Dimoff, UHM MOP Student
fSomewhere Under the Rainbow
-Christina Redmond, UHM Student
hBarreled
-Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Student
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UNDER THE
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E SEA
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Interview: Bryant Grady UHH MOP Student
Q A
: Why did you join MOP?
: I am a Mop student, I’m currently working on my Mop project which involves comprehensive mapping of dive sites on the big island.
Q A Q A Q A Q A
: What kind of camera did you use?
: The camera a used for this shot was a canon T5i with an1855 mm lens, I use a meikon housing and sealife strobes. : What’s the story behind this photo?
: I took this photo while free diving. This was the most photogenic eel I’ve ever photographed, it didn’t seek to mind the camera. : When you go to take a photo what sorts of things do you look for?
: The two types of pictures that I take are wide angle and macro. Both are very exciting and different shot but give you a lot of diversity. : What is your favorite type of photo to take?
: My favorite thing to take picture of are frog fish, they are fantastic little fish that are excellent photo subjects. They can be very hard to find so when I do it’s always exciting. n
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“Sharp focus with good balance of flash and natural light,” Stender said.
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Runners-up:
fOne you go black...
-Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Stude
Mistaken identity
-Joshua Levy, UHM Student 46|â&#x20AC;&#x192;Seawords
fDive Dive Dive
-Bryant Grady, UHH MOP Student iTo the Surface
-Bryant Grady, UHH MOP Student
ent
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Descent into the YO
-Sean Dimoff, UHM MOP Student
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hBeneath the Surface
-Christina Redmond, UHM MOP Student
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iLalakea
-Devon Aguiar, UHM MOP Student
hHonaunau mano kea
-Julia Stewart, UHH MOP Student
JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |51
FLORA
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“Nice lighting,” Stender said.
Kristina Smolenski UHM MOP Student JUNE / PHOTOGRAPHY 2016 |53
Runners-ups:
Mt. Mushroom h
-Kristina Smolenski, UHM MOP Student 54|â&#x20AC;&#x192;Seawords
Green Escape h
-Christina Redmond, UHM MOP Student
Deatailed Decomposersg
-Kristina Smolenski, UHM MOP Student
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University of Hawai`i at MÄ noa Seawords, Marine Option Program College of Natural Sciences 2450 Campus Road, Dean Hall 105A Honolulu, HI 96822-2219 Address Service Requested
Thank you for reading!