Seaw rds The Marine Option Program Newsletter
May 2016
no secret that plastic is extremely 4 “It’s harmful for our environment, but the team at Kyoto University in Japan may have stumbled upon the resolve of our plastic addiction.”
THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL MOP STUDENT SYMPOSIUM ARE YOU ENDING YOUR DIVE WITH ENOUGH GAS? PLASTIC EATING BACTERIA
May 2016
Volume XXX, Number 5
Articles Page 3: Letter from the Editor Page 4: Thirty-Third Annual MOP Student Symposium Page 12: Are you ending your dive with enough gas? Page 15: Plastic Munching Bacteria Page 16: Marine Mammal of the Month Page 18: Ocean Updates Page 22: Generation Blue Page 24: Critter of the Month Page 26: Hanauma Bay: Calander of Events Page 27: MOP calendar of events
About the Photography -Cover: Koa Matsuoka, UHM MOP Alumnus -Table of Contents: Kimberly Wood, UHM MOP Alumna -May calendar of events: Logan Magad-Weiss, UHM MOP Student -Back cover: Don Mcleish -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
A
loha! Welcome to the end of the semester!
MOP still has a few more events planned, such as the MOP Snorkel Day, today, and MOP Graduation on May 5 in Dean Hall 104. Here at MOP and Seawords, we would like to say congratulations to all of our graduates and students. This issue includes this year’s MOP Symposium at HCC and information on the new plastic eating bacteria. This will also be the 40th issue published online! For the past couple months Seawords has been having printer issues and has not been able to publish a print edition, but for this issue we will have a “teaser” print available. We are currently focusing on becoming entirely digital. Also, many thanks to all who submitted entries to Seawords’ 2016 Photography Competition. Seawords and UHM MOP staff are currently voting on the submissions, the finalists of which will be sent to the head judge, MOP alumnus, and creator of marinelifephotography.com, Keoki Stender. The winners will be announced in the June 2016 Photography Issue of Seawords. Thanks for reading,
Camra Hopper, Seawords Editor
Seawords
Volume XXX, Number 5, 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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Features Thirty-Third annual MOP STudent Symposium Hosted by: Honolulu Community college by: Camra Hopper, Editor Photos by: Alexa gonzalez, uhm mop student coordinator
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A few of the MOP Students and Staff who participated in the Thirty-Third Annual MOP Student Symposium.
n April 16, 2016 the Marine Option Program hosted their Thirty-Third Annual Student Symposium at Honolulu Community College where 25 students presented their skill projects to fellow MOPers and the community. With four sessions and a break for poster presenters, judges were able to present awards for Best Research Paper, Best Internship Paper, Best Poster, John P. Craven award “Child of the Sea”, PACON International, Hawai‘i Chapter, and Anna Toy Ng Memorial MOP Scholarship. Congratulations to all of the students who presented their skill project at the MOP Symposium and were given awards.
Keoki Stender took the symposium on an adventure through photographs he has taken on his dives, not only in Hawai‘i, but also from around the world. He explained the difficulties of underwater photography, while sharing his passion for the ocean and art form. There are several skills needed in order to perfectly capture and find certain, rare fish around our islands. His photography website is not only a collection of his own unique species, but also a place for the community so that the public can share photos of their own rare and interesting marine life they caught on camera. To browse or submit your own amazing photographs, check out MarineLifePhotography.com.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: “Rare and Unusual Creatures Session I – Host – Jeff Kuwabara, University of Hawai‘i from Hawai‘i” Keoki Stender, “MarineLifePhotogra- Mānoa MOP phy.com” and MOP Alumnus “RESEARCH IN REMOTE LOCATIONS: KIRI4| Seawords
TIMATI, KIRIBATI” Sean Dimoff, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Internship Last summer, Sean Dimoff joined a research team from the University of Victoria on a research excursion to Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati. The focus of the trip was to collect biological data on the coral reef ecosystem around Kiritimati. The reason Kiritimati was chosen as their research representative is because of the plethora of problems affecting island nations throughout the Pacific. The data were used to observe resiliency and resistance in the reef ecosystem as their environment and stressors continue to evolve. Dimoff ’s responsibility included testing tanks for contamination and collecting data on fish and herbivore surveys with help from his mentors, Danielle Claar and Dr. Julia Baum, University of Victoria. This research opportunity presented unique challenges, but through the strong leadership, provisional changes from emerging problems, and team cooperation their research excursion was successful. Anna Toy Ng Memorial MOP Scholarship—Awarded to a MOP student exhibiting excellence in marine scholarship, ocean stewardship and contributions to MOP. Sean Dimoff, UH-Manoa
phic Northern Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) about 40 days were spent at sea fulfilling their objectives near Station ALOHA. Dornan used her talk to go into detail about the methods of sampling and analysis and a general overview of the research programs, their objectives, and her contributions. “HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT INTERNSHIP” Carly Maliglig and Daniela Casillas, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Internship During the months of January through April, Carly Maliglig and Daniela Casillas were Ocean Count interns at the O‘ahu office of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. During these months the Hawaiian waters are the main hub for most humpback whales in the North Pacific where they come to breed, calve, and nurse their young. The Sanctuary Ocean Count allows Hawai‘i residents and whale admirers to watch and learn about humpback whale activity. As interns they were responsible for helping organize and conduct the Sanctuary Ocean Count in order to get an estimate of the current population, as well as answering any questions, being trained site leaders, and helping educate school groups with their mentor, Patty Miller, Education Specialist for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA.
“UH MANOA DIVING SAFETY OFFICE INTERNSHIP: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A UH SCIENTIFIC LEADER AND DIVEMASTER PROGRAM” Megan “EXPOSURE TO MARINE MICROBIAL RE- Russell, Rebecca Weible, University of Hawai‘i at SEARCH AS A SEAGOING OCEANOGRAPHIC Mānoa – Internship ASSISTANT” Natalie Nicole Dornan, University of Under the mentorship of Liv Wheeler and David Pence Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Internship of the University of Hawai‘i Diving Safety Program, MeNatalie Dornan participated in many research cruises as gan Russell and Rebecca Weible decided to put together a seagoing technician with her mentor Dr. Matthew J. a scientific leader and Dive Master program by creatChurch, Associate Professor at the University of Hawai‘i ing a detailed syllabus, run pool skill sessions, superat Mānoa Department of Oceanography. She assisted vise leadership presentations, and plan open water dive with cruise preparation, at-sea sampling for biogeo- days for the students to practice their leadership skills. chemical data around a CTD rosette, deployment and For the past few years they have been working at the recovery of arrays, and conducting experiments. Re- University of Hawai‘i Diving Safety Program updating search cruises were with the Hawai‘i Ocean Time-se- the database, earning advanced certifications, learning ries Program (HOT) and the Simons Collaboration in to fill SCUBA cylinders, conducting boat operations, Ocean Processes and Ecology (SCOPE), aboard the servicing equipment, and helping run the Scientific R/V Kilo Moana and the R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa. In Diver Qualification Course each semester. Now that the order conduct various field operations in the oligotro- new addition of the program is in effect, the training MAY 2016 |5
will create confident dive leaders who will be able to supervise dive teams, as well as improve their own futures as marine researchers.
could be an evolutionary adaptation designed to reduce water velocity and accumulate nutrients for individual benefit. “WHAT GROWS IN HILO BAY, HI, WHEN DIATOMS ARE INHIBITED” Anna Baker Mikkelsen, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo – Research
Anna Mikkelsen and her mentor Jason Adolf, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Marine Science at UH Hilo, conducted her research in Hilo Bay, Hawai‘i, to see what other phytoplankton species grow when diatoms are inhibited. Diatoms are very prevalent in coastal waters with high nutrient levels. They contribute 60% of all primary production in the oceans and previous studies have shown that diatoms grow dominantly over other phytoplankton species if silica is available. The Session II – Host – Steven Colbert, University of Hawai‘i objectives were to identify other species in a diatom-inat Hilo MOP hibited culture using light and SEM microscopy and to compare the growth rate of an inhibited and non-inhib“SUB-CANOPY NUTRIENT ACCUMULATION ited culture using cytometer for cell count. This study WITHIN GRACILARIA SALICORNIA” Caroline will help identify a potential diversity of phytoplankton Greenwood, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Rein diatom dominated coastal areas such as Hilo Bay. search “CORAL DISEASE AND COMMUNITY STRUCCaroline Greenwood and her mentor, Dr. Kathleen TURE THROUGHOUT THE NORTHWESTERN Ruttenberg, Professor, Department of Oceanography, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS” Kailey H. Pascoe, University UH-Mānoa, have examined that Gracilaria salicorof Hawai‘i at Hilo – Research nia has become one of the most prolific invasive species in the Hawaiian marine coastal environment. Its In the last decade there has been a major increase of rigid thalli intertwine to form dense mats, which have coral disease found worldwide due to increased anthrobeen shown to retard water flow. Greenwood’s study pogenic impacts like overfishing, pollution and climate sought to examine the ex- change. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monutent to which G. salicornia ment encompasses the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands alters the biogeochemistry (NWHI) and is known to be one of the last largest near within its own sub-canopy pristine coral reef ecosystems. NOAA’s Reef Assessment microhabitat. Water sam- and Monitoring Program (RAMP) conducts ecological ples were drawn from three benthic coral scuba surveys every year in the NWHI. points along a vertical profile During summer of 2015, Kailey Pascoe participated as within a G. salicornia canopy. coral scuba diver on a 30-day research cruise to seven These samples were analyzed of the ten islands. Her research summarizes RAMP data for nutrient (NO3-, NO2-, from 2007-2012 to determine coral cover and diversity NH4+, PO43-, H4SiO4) con- throughout the archipelago and how disease prevalence centrations and compared is associated with cover and diversity with her mentors to analogous samples taken Dr. Steven Colbert and John Burns from the University outside of the canopy. The study’s findings would sug- of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biolgest that the characteristically rigid structure provides a ogy. The studied showed that coral cover and diversity competitive advantage through the maintenance of an showed a significant change at each island, submerged optimal microhabitat. The rigid mat-like morphology bank, reef and atoll. Prevalence and severity of disease John P. Craven Award—Awarded for the most inspired and inspirational presentation by a MOP “Child of the Sea”--Rebecca Weible and Megan Russell, UH-Manoa “UH-Manoa Diving Safety Office Internship: the development of a UH Scientific Leader and Dive Master Program.”
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is found to be associated with diversity. “BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION SUPPORT FOR HAWAIIAN NEARSHORE ECOSYSTEM AQUARIUM” Ashley Pugh, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo – Research The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo has a nearshore ecosystem aquarium that was in need of a new filtration system to help simulate the chemical cycling of a natural marine environment in order to make the closed systems habitable for life. Ashley Pugh took it upon herself to create such a system, with the help of her mentors Lisa Parr and Matt Connelly from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. A mechanism for eliminating nitrate, the end product of broken down uneaten food, which can become toxic to most animals, even in low concentrations, excretion, and detritus, is crucial in an aquarium. The purpose of this addition was to make the system more biologically self-sustaining and provide the current inhabitants with a comfortable living environment. The algal population that was firmly established prior to this filtration system has been reduced noticeably, freeing substrate for the resident coral colonies to expand. This display acts as a window into the local reef environments where students conduct their research and provides a learning opportunity for students interested in aquarium maintenance.
ing a co-intern between CRF and ORC was an amazing experience and allowed her to get her feet wet in many different areas in her field and experience in working with terrestrial species. Her favorite part about this internship was working at a job she could see herself doing in the future, and gaining experience only possible in the Florida Keys. Best Internship Presentation--Jenna Budke, UH-Hilo “Restoring the reef, one coral at a time: internship with Coral Restoration Foundation and Ocean Reef Club.” Posters “THE IMPORTANCE OF MARINE EDUCATION” Jade Austin, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Internship
“RESTORING THE REEF, ONE CORAL AT A TIME: “SUSTAINABLE COASTLINES HAWAI‘I; A MORE INTERNSHIP WITH CORAL RESTORATION SUSTAINABLE FUTURE THROUGH HANDS ON FOUNDATION AND OCEAN REEF CLUB” Jenna BEACH CLEAN UPS” Laura Bailes, University of Budke, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo – Internship Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Internship Coral reefs are currently being threatened and are deteriorating worldwide due to stressors from increased water temperature. Jenna Budke spent the summer of 2015 in Key Largo, Florida as a split intern between the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) and Ocean Reef Club (ORC). At CRF she was involved in the coral nursery management, coral planting, leading SCUBA volunteers, and office duties to help run the foundation. At ORC she was the Marine Biology Conservation Intern leading EcoBest Poster--Laura Bailes, UH-Manoa “Sustainable Kayak tours, assisting with scuba coastlines Hawaii: a more sustainable future through and nature camps, and caring for hands-on beach clean ups.” over 30 exotic animals in the nature center. She believed that be- “NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE MAY 2016 |7
PU‘U KUKUI WATERSHED IN WEST MAUI, CAST USING A SMOOTH CAST METHOD” SaHAWAI‘I” Angelica Melone, University of Hawai‘i at mantha Shipley, Windward Community College – Mānoa – Internship Internship Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese art of fish printing that dates back to 1862, but is currently used for art and teaching. Within Hawai‘i it is used for teaching, but this technique needed to be kid-friendly. Thus, Samantha Shipley created a smooth cast method to create silicone replicas in order to save fish from being unnecessarily killed for gyotaku prints and because real fish can become very “stinky” in the process. Since no rubber Hawaiian fish species can be found online, Shipley had to create her own molds and casts in order to expose children to local species in the classroom to enhance “LINKING INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE INTER- their knowledge of Hawaiian species. The results came TIDAL WITH ANTHROPOGENIC INPUTS” Elsei out very well with many successful molds and casts usTellei, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Research ing different types of menpachi fish. She was also was able to create fish gyotaku prints. If these silicone casts were to be implemented in schools it would be easy to enhance learning about the local environment. “MOTION DETECTION SECURITY SYSTEMS IN AQUACULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES AND FURTHER APPLICATIONS” Madori Rumpungworn, Windward Community College – Research The security systems implemented in the Aquaculture Research Facilities, a fence and signs, are in need of an upgrade. Madori Rumpungworn, with the help of her mentors, Dr. Leonard Young, Professor of Aquaculture “MEASURING THE EXTENT OF DNA DAMAGE and Dr. Floyd McCoy, Professor of Geology, OceanogFROM ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION IN ZOOXANraphy and Geophysics, created a security system for all THELLAE USING THE COMET ASSAY” Katie Aquaculture Research Facilities as enforced by the Fedyoung, Windward Community College – Research eral Government. However, off-the-shelf technology is very expensive, can be limiting to individual desired qualifications and often dependent on the manufacturer’s ability to troubleshoot their systems should problems arise. Thus a decision was made to implement a system created specifically for Session III – Host Dave Krupp, Windward Community the Windward Campus College MOP Aquaculture Facility itself. From summer 2015 “GYOTAKU FROM HAWAIIAN SILICON FISH 8| Seawords
till current, she is custom designing a motion sensing security camera system to remotely monitor, regulate, and access a live-streaming feed to the facility from the web and any mobile decide for asset control. All work is based off of open-source software using open-source prototyping electronic platforms. During this study she learning engineering, technology, and programming skills in order to design cameras for mapping invasive species of flora in the Hawaiian landscape and heat using infrared imaging.
interpret and chat with visitors about the monument and marine stewardship, take up projects that needed finishing, purposed projects that could promote marine stewardship. One of these proposals suggested that students learn through playing out a skit based on the knowledge they were just taught. In order to enhance the learning of others he had to learn Hawaiian words (oleo) to immerse the visitors into the Hawaiian Culture.
PACON International, Hawai‘i Chapter, MOP Symposium Award—Awarded for the best presentation integrating marine science and technology with a Pacific focus. Madori Rumpungworn, Windward Community Session IV – Host Jeff Kuwabara, College “Motion detection security systems in aquacul- University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa MOP ture research facilities and further applications.” “VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIP WITH AMIGOS “Kūlia Natural Resource Stewardship Program: A DE BOLSA CHICA: SEASONAL OCCURRENCE 12-Day Geology-Archaeology-Agriculture Career OF PSEUDO-NITZSCHIA AND ALEXANDRIUM Exploration Program” Konrad Heather, Windward GENERA” Kelsey Reimer, University of Hawaiʻi at Community College – Internship Hilo – Internship The Kūlia Natural Resource Stewardship Program is a twelve-day pilot summer program for Castle High School students who are interested in learning about the intersection between Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge and Western scientific techniques. Specifically, the program aims to teach students skills in the fields of geology, archaeology, agriculture, ethnobotany, aquaculture, food security, and cultural preservation. The program holds classes at various sites, including Castle High School Farm, Waikalua Loko I‘a, Luluku Farm, and other cultural sites within the ahupua‘a (land division) of Kāne‘ohe. During the summer of 2015, Konrad Heather assisted the program’s facilitators by teaching students about basic geological processes and applications.
In 2012, one of the largest harmful algal blooms (HAB) ever recorded stretched from Central California to Southern Alaska. The two most prominent genera responsible for HABs are Pseudo-nitzschia and Alexandrium; one representing diatoms, the other, dinoflagellates. Kelsey Reimer interned at a community coastal organization in Southern California, Follow and Learn about the Ocean and Wetlands (FLOW) of Bolsa Chica with her mentor Joana Flor Taveres-Reager, Oceanographer and Environmental Communication Specialist, FLOW Program Coordinator for Bolsa Chica State Beach. She assisted in school educational activities, plankton collection and data analyses. The goal of “A VOICE FOR THE MARINE NATIONAL MONUthis study was to predict when MENT” Alexander Lau, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo to expect peaks in both of these – Internship organisms throughout the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is year. Analyses was conducted one of the largest protected conservation areas in the on data that was provided by world, protecting the marine life, terrestrial life, and FLOW, for one year, and the Hawaiian Culture in the Northwestern Hawaiian Is- California State Department of lands. The Mokupāpapa Discovery Center is dedicated Health going back three years. The data provided sugto educating the public about Hawai‘i’s National Monu- gested that the study sites did not provide optimal conment. As an intern, Alexander Lau dedicated his time to ditions for Alexandrium during those years. The changMAY 2016 |9
ing of environmental conditions may or may not draw in more of this genus. As far as the concern for blooms in this area, she suggested that it would be a good idea to have the area monitored more closely during peak months for both organisms. “SHELL COLOR POLYMORPHISM IN MARINE GASTROPOD MITRELLA FUSIFORMIS” Mikayla Jones, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo – Research Gastropod mollusks are extremely important in marine ecosystems as predators and prey, especially in coral reefs. It is critical to understand where and how these benthic organism interact with their communities and with the physical aspects of their ecosystems. Mikayla Jones’ project was to study polymorphism among shallow columbellids, a common and diverse family of marine neogastropod snails, with the help of her mentor and advisor, Dr. Marta deMaintenon from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Their objective was to investigate correlations between polymorphism, environment and sex in common local epibenthic marine gastropods. This study will focus on Mitrella fusiformis (Pease, 1868), one of the most common Hawai’i columbellid species. Although, there was no significant correlation between sex, substrate habitat and shell color and pattern some trends where elucidated. For example, locations around the Island of Hawai’i had different ratios of male to female to juvenile snails. Those locations with a similar number of individuals across the maturity levels had higher abundance throughout the year. In addition, Mitrella fusiformis do not completely dictate what substrate habitat they live in based on their shell color and pattern. However, there is a trend of cream shell snails being more prevalent in light sand-colored substrates and dark shell snails on basalt. Best Research Presentation--Mikayla Jones, UH-Hilo “Shell color polymorphism in the marine gastropod, Mitrella fusiformis.” “SEAWORDS, THE MARINE OPTION PROGRAM NEWSLETTER; WHERE IT’S BEEN AND WHERE IT’S AT” Camra Hopper, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – Internship Seawords is the student-run, monthly newsletter of the Marine Option Program. Seawords reports on student accomplishments and happenings in the MOP community, and helps keep students and the marine com10| Seawords
munity informed about upcoming activities and programs offered through MOP and relevant local groups. Seawords started publishing in 1973 and just recently started their online editions in 2012. These new online issues allow for a paper-free and interactive platform to engage readers and the MOP Community. Hopper’s internship at Seawords enhanced her time management skills of not just her own, but others as well, editing skills, layout techniques, and she also gained new friendships. The presentation provided the history of Seawords while also illustrating the history of the Marine Option Program. “IDENTIFYING SEAFOOD FRAUD IN HONOLULU” Kevin Morris, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Research As the global trade and market for seafood has grown, so have the twin problems of renaming and mislabeling. Resource scarcity, the potential for greater profits, and weak legislation have all encouraged incorrect labeling, the results of which include consumer losses, the subversion of eco-marketing, further degradation of fisheries resources, and even adverse effects on human health. Because of this major issue, Kevin Morris and his mentors, Alison Rieser, Department of Geography, and Dr. Peter Marko, Department of Biology at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, investigated the accuracy of labeling and advertising on O‘ahu by genetically analyzing retail fish from grocery stores, poke bars and sushi restaurants. Upon completion of the extraction and sequencing processes, they were then able to compare the genetic results of the samples with the label under which it was sold and then determine whether
or not the retailers were sincere in their labeling. This study is still in the process of completion, but the results will be posted on the Marine Option Program’s Facebook page. “THE CARE OF INJURED AND/OR SICK SEA TURTLES AT CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM” Roxanna Saadatzadeh, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Internship Between August and the beginning of January 2016 Roxanna Saadatzadeh was an intern at Clearwater Marine Aquarium where she worked with the sea turtle rehabilitation program. The program is unique because, as well as rescuing injured and sick sea turtles, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is only one of five facilities in the state of Florida to treat the fibropapilloma virus which
can turn deadly if not treated. Under the mentorship of Cassie Seebart, Senior Sea Turtle and Aquatic Biologist Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Saadatzadeh worked with both the sea turtles in rehab and also the permanent residents. With the sea turtles in rehab she learned skills such as food prep, feeding, medication prep and administration, how to restrain, and how to administer injections. With the resident sea turtles she was able to both target train and feed them. She also learned other skills such as public speaking where she would have to give presentations to the guests as well as answer any questions they had, leadership where she was making sure the volunteers did everything that needed to get done during the day. At the end of her internship she was required to make an EED (environmental enrichment device), for one of the resident sea turtles. n
All of the current MOP Coordinators. MAY 2016 |11
Why should you have “enough” gas?
Are You Ending Enoug
Have you ever been on a dive that was so much fun, you just wanted to stay down for as long as possible? You paid hard-earned money for that cylinder you rented, so you’re just getting your money’s worth. Maybe it’s been a while since you navigated and you weren’t planning on getting lost and swimming back longer. Or maybe you find yourself scrambling to finish “just one more survey...”
is the minimum amount of gas needed for two divers to make a safe controlled ascent while making all required stops. This is your spare parachute, your “reserve” gas that you do not use unless there’s an emergency. If you do use the air there will not be enough gas to air share with you and your buddy to make an emergency ascent.
If you asked a room full of ten divers, “how many of you have almost run out of air?” ten out of ten of them would raise their hand. It happens to everyone, but why is that? We have engrained in ourselves that this is acceptable for our personal diving because “I only need ‘X’ amount of gas to surface.” True but who are you forgetting about? Your buddy!
Rock Bottom: A Dou
To determine how much gas we need to plan for in an emergency, we need to first understand a bit about gas consumption rates. For this we use what’s called a Surface Consumption Rate (SCR), which is the volume of gas we breathe in a certain amount of time at the surface. SCRs are often represented in units of cubic feet/min (cf/min) or liters per minute (L/ min). When we are at rest while diving, such as hovering at a safety stop, our SCR is about 0.5 cf/min (15L/min). In moderate work such as swimming against a current, our SCR jumps to 0.75 cf/min (20L/min) and we typically use a consumption rate of 1.0 cf/min (30L/ min) to account for the stress in an emergency situation.
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Phelps, UHH MO PS tud
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You buddy is your backup brain and your back up gas. As a responsible buddy team, your gas planning becomes paramount to ensure both of your safety. In 2006 there was a double diving fatality between a Divemaster and Advanced Open Water (AOW) diver. They were wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina to 115ft when the AOW realized he had run out of air. His Divemaster buddy shared air with him but they did not have enough to make it to the surface. At 50ft they ran out of gas again, the AOW diver drowned, and the Divemaster held her breath as she clawed her way to the surface. Keep in mind that SCRs are Holding her breath, she embolized and was found dead based on ambient surface presat the surface. sures, hence the word “surface.” As tragic as this story is, it was completely preventable Since we know we use more gas at had the two planned how much gas they needed for the depth than at the surface, we need to ascent. We always hear “end your dive with 500 psi” take this into account. To do this for rock but where did that number come from? No one really bottom calculations, use your average depth knows for sure, but wouldn’t you rather know with de- or half of your max depth for the ascent in Atmofinitive certainty that you have enough gas to end your spheres Absolute (ATAs). For example, at 60ft (18m) the pressure in atmospheres absolute would be about 3 dive? ATAs. One ATA due to the pressure being caused by the With that being said, let’s move into rock bottom cal- weight of 68 miles worth of air at the surface, and an adculations ditional ATA for every 33ft (10m) in the water column. These calculations don’t have to be precise, just basic Rock Bottom SCUBA-math rounding on the conservative side. Your Rock bottom is a concept born from technical diving out average depth for this ascent would be half of 3 ATAs of the Doing-It-Right (DIR) philosophy. Simply put, it which is 1.5 ATAs. 12| Seawords
Your Dive with gh Gas?
Now how much time for stops do we need to account for? First we plan for 1 minute at the max depth to deal with the emergency. As safe, conservative divers we also do a By: Tyler Phelps, UHH MOP Student safety stop at 15ft/5m for 3 minutes. For deeper dives it’s a good idea to factor in a deep stop for 1 minute at half of your maximum depth to off gas the saturated nitrogen that your highly profuse tissues absorbed from the dive. Additional stops are easy to factor in for rock bottom calculations, just add more time.
uble Life-Saving Skill
Our final step is taking the actual ascent rate into account and the number of divers we need to provide gas for. In general, we want a nice slow ascent rate of about 30ft or 9m per minute. That means if we were diving to 60ft (18m), it should take us two minutes to ascend (before factoring in stop time). And lastly, rock bottom is always planned for two divers needing gas to air share so you need to multiply by two at the end. Here’s what it looks like: Total ascent time x Average depth (ATA) x Emergency SCR (1.0 cf/min or 30L/min) x 2 divers = Rock Bottom 60ft Example (Imperial) Let’s determine together what is rock bottom for a dive to 60ft (18m). Since we are at 60ft it will take us an uninterrupted time of 2 minutes to ascend, abiding by the 30ft per min ascent rate. We also need to account for the 1 minute we spend to handle the emergency plus 3 minutes for our safety stop. All together that’s 2 minutes for the ascent + 1 minute to handle the emergency + 3 minutes of stops for a total time of 6 minutes. Next we multiply this time by our emergency SCR of 1.0 cf/min/. The minutes will cancel and we are left with needing 6cf of gas based on the emergency surface consumption rates. To take our diving consumption rate into account, we need to determine our average depth in ATAs. Since our max depth is 60ft which is at 3 ATAs, then our average pressure would be half that which is 1.5 ATAs. With the 6cf we just calculated multiplied by 1.5 ATA equals 9cf. Lastly don’t forget about your buddy, they need gas too! Multiply the 9cf by 2 for the number of divers (9cf for you and 9cf for your buddy) which equals 18cf. Rock Bottom Formula: Total ascent time x Emergency SCR x Average depth (ATA) x Number of Divers =Rock Bottom 6 minutes (ascent plus stops) x 1.0 cf/min emergency SCR x 1.5 ATA x 2 divers = 18cf for Rock Bottom 60ft Example Let’s consider you are using an average cylinder with 80cf and a service pressure of 3000psi. Divide that 18cf you just calculated by 80cf (the volume of your cylinder) which is about 1/4th or 25% of the volume. And 25% of 3000 psi means your rock bottom is 750 psi. Now that you know your rock bottom it becomes super easy to determine how much usable gas you have left. Usable gas = Total pressure – rock bottom. For a single tank dive in an 80cf/3000 psi cylinder, you have 2250 psi of usable gas. Using rock bottom, we now know that you should ascend with at least 750psi from a dive to 60ft! 18m Example (Metric) MAY 2016 |13
For a dive to 18m, we need to determine how long it will take us to make an ascent time. This gives us 1 minute at the bottom to handle the emergency plus 2 minutes total time for an uninterrupted ascent (at an ascent rate of 9m/ min). Plus 3 minutes for our safety stop. All together that’s 6 minutes for the ascent. Next we multiply the 6 minutes of the ascent by the emergency surface consumption rate of 30L/min. This gives us 180L which is the amount of gas we would need for one person at the surface. Since our dive is to 18m, there is roughly 3 ATA of pressure acting upon us (1 ATA for every 10m of water, plus the weight of the atmosphere at the surface). To average our pressure for the ascent, we take the average of the maximum pressure; 3 ATA divided by 2 equals 1.5 ATA. Then we multiply the 180L we calculated by the average depth 1.5 ATA. This gives us an adjusted volume of 270L which we multiply by 2 divers to equal 540L of gas needed for rock bottom. Rock Bottom Formula Total ascent time x Emergency SCR x Average depth (ATA) x Number of Divers =Rock Bottom 18m Example 6 minutes (ascent plus stops) x 30L/min emergency SCR x 1.5 ATA x 2 divers = 540L for Rock Bottom Lastly, since 540L is roughly 25% of a 2200L cylinder with a pressure of 205 bar we can determine the rock bottom cylinder pressure. Since 25% of 205 bar is 51 bar, that’s our rock bottom! Therefore we can subtract 205 bar from rock bottom which lets us know that we have 154 bar of usable cylinder pressure. 100ft (30m) Example Ready to try for yourself? See if you can find the rock bottom for a 100ft (30m) dive. The only thing different is we want to factor in an extra 1 minute for a deep stop at 50ft (15m) which is half of the max depth. Here are the numbers in formula version: Rock Bottom Formula: Total ascent time x Emergency SCR x Average depth (ATA) x Number of Divers =Rock Bottom 100ft Example 8 min (ascent time) x 1.0 cf/min emergency SCR x 2.5 ATA x 2 divers = 40cf for Rock Bottom 30m Example 8min (ascent time) x 30L/min emergency SCR x 2.5 ATA x 2 divers = 1200L for Rock Bottom Did you get the correct answer? Notice how this is half the volume in your standard SCUBA cylinder. Since you only have 1500psi of usable gas that may not allow you for enough time as you want. The solution to this would be to bring more gas (like a larger cylinder or stage bottle) so you can still maintain rock bottom. How much gas do you need to end your dive? The answer is rock bottom. By doing this calculation, you will be able to determine how much gas you need to bring you and your buddy “home.” Since a majority of dive accidents and fatalities originate from some sort of gas issue, gas management is crucial to have safe diving. Learn rock bottom and apply it to you everyday dive planning, it might just save both your life and your buddy’s. If you have any questions regarding rock bottom or would like further explanation, please feel free to contact me at phelpst@hawaii.edu. n
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Photo by: Liv Wheeler, UH Manoa Diving Safety Program Training Coordinator
I
t seems as though plastic has become an inescapable part of our lives. Plastic, bottles, phone cases, laptop keys, plastic everything. It has become so engrained into our daily routines that we’re at an arm’s reach of it at all times through every minute of the day. It’s no secret that plastic is extremely harmful for our environment, with over 8 million metric tons of it annually entering our oceans. But a team at Kyoto University in Japan may have stumbled upon a solution to our plastic addiction. It’s called Ideonella sakaiensis, an essentially “plastic munching microbe” that took five years and hundreds of samples to isolate, according to The Conversation. The microbe can live on the most commonly used plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The microbe has just the right enzymes needed to break down this plastic that’s heavily resistant to biodegradation. Surprisingly, researchers also discovered that these enzymes contain almost no similarities to its closest related enzymes, suggesting the adaptation of these plastic eating microbes was a recent one. Once researchers discovered the gene containing the enzymes responsible for the PET breakdown, they were able to generate more of the enzyme proving it could break down the plastic.
Plastic Munching Bacteria; Ideonella sakaiensis
By Jessica Lotts, UHM MOP Student
This brings a whole new meaning to recycling. Currently, most recycled products are just melted down and transformed into new plastic things; it never truly goes away. In fact, Eco Watch has reported that a mere 5% of the plastics we produce are recovered. With Ideonella sakaiensis, there is now the potential for “real” recycling to happen. The Conversation went on to explain that with these PET digesting enzymes, plastic could be broken down into chemical starting materials that can be used to make fresh plastics. The American Association for the Advancement of Science has stated Ideonella sakaiensis still needs to be more deeply researched and is not yet ready for industrial production. Currently it takes the bacteria six weeks at a temp of 86 degrees (30 degrees Celsius) to consume small layers of plastic. It would take up to ten years for this plastic to degrade naturally. Though there is much more to uncover about this plastic-eating bacteria, but it gives a new hope to the fight for a cleaner, greener planet.n
*Not a photo of the Ideonella sakaiensis. Photo by: Daniel Jennings-Kam, UHH MOP Alumnus MAY 2016 |15
Maui’s Dolphin Marine Mammal of the Month:
Scientific Name: Cephalorhynchus hectori maui Range: New Zealand’s North Island, West Coast Diet: Benthic fish and squid, red cod Size: 4.5 feet long
Maui’s Dolphin
By Jeremy Gasta, American Cetacean Society Student
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n an ocean populated by massive marine mammals which dwarf the creatures on land and even hold the title of the largest animals to ever exist, it can be easy to forget about the little guy. And yet, not all cetaceans are absolute behemoths, or even mansized. Some feel just as dwarfed by their bigger relatives as we do. Among these is the Maui’s dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori maui. Or, maybe we should say the Hector’s dolphin. That’s because the Maui’s dolphin is a subspecies of the Hector variety – the smallest dolphin on our blue planet today (though not the smallest cetacean as a whole – that title goes to the critically endangered Vaquita porpoise, or Phocoena sinus). Found only in New Zealand, and also the nation’s only endemic cetacean, the Hector’s dolphin sports two subspecies: C.h.hectori, the slightly more numerous (but still endangered) one that can be found around South Island, and C.h.maui, a critically endangered variety that lives only on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The two have such a similar appearance that it wasn’t until 2002 that they were
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classified as different subspecies, when careful comparison of North and South Island varieties revealed that the North Island dolphin was a little larger and had a longer rostrum. Thus, the Maui’s dolphin was (taxonomically) born. Like most subspecies, these are two populations of the same animal that became geographically separated several thousand years ago, to the point where they began to gain slightly different appearances and behavior. Given enough time, the Maui’s dolphin and South Island Hector’s dolphin could become two completely different species – or, if the populations reconverge, the minor differences would be lost. While South Island dolphins have occasionally been found in Maui territory, both prefer shallow waters and so tend to avoid the deeper waters of the Cook Strait, which separates the two islands and thus doubles as a barrier between populations. Maui’s dolphins have unique coloration, with light grey backs, darker heads, flukes, dorsal fins, and flippers, and a creamy white underbelly. They have a unique rounded dorsal fin, which makes them easy to identify, and grow
There are only an estimated 100 remaining Maui’s dolphins, including this individual photographed during a 2010 survey. Photo by: New Zealand Department of Conservation. to a maximum length of a whopping four and a half feet, with females being the larger gender. Their name is derived from the Maori name for North Island (Native New Zealand and Hawaiian cultures are intertwined, and both have mythological figures named Maui), although the Maori name for the dolphin itself is popoto. Although, Maui’s dolphins do not occur in Hawai‘i. The dolphins live about twenty years, a short lifespan for a whale. Maui’s dolphins are usually benthic feeders, meaning they dive to the seafloor and eat the fish and squid they find there, but will sometimes feed closer to the surface. They gather in small pods (about five dolphins each), and tend to segregate by sex. Female dolphins have a slow birth rate, only having a calf once every two to four years. Thanks to their breeding rate and short lifespan, Maui’s dolphins are equipped to only replace dolphins that die naturally. So when dolphins die at a faster rate than what’s natural – in other words, death by human interference – the subspecies’ numbers can be severely
harmed. Net fishing (such as by the use of trawling or gill nets) is the single largest risk for these dolphins today. Net filaments are too fine for the dolphins to register using echolocation, so it’s easy for them to run into the nets and become entangled. Surveys in recent years showed a steady decline in population from 134 in 1985 to only 55 individuals in 2012, spurring the banning of net-setting and trawling in the animal’s entire range. Unfortunately, in 2014, 3,000 square kilometers of the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary, a vital sanctuary for Maui’s dolphins, was controversially sanctioned for oil drilling. This took up a quarter of the entire sanctuary. The most recent survey, in May 2015, found only 43-47 individuals, only ten of which were mature females. Unless serious action is taken, such as completely banning net fishing within the animal’s range, the Maui’s dolphin is predicted to go extinct within a few decades at most. Let’s hope that the world’s tiniest dolphin doesn’t follow the Baiji’s (Lipotes vexillifer) route as the next extinct cetacean. n
MAY 2016 |17
F BE
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he University of Hawai‘i’s MOP st of April 24, 2016, to help make t ting their hands and feet dirty to p located in between Allen Davis protected habitat from vehicles, while its protect it from wandering visitors. A protected from vehicles, due to t waves, the wind, and traveler its way buried into the bush the crevasses of
MOP students were abl bags of trash filled with pieces of plastic, old fo and even a crate filled species that washed up A special “mahalo” goe sponsoring this Earth
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Manoa MOP Earth Day Cleanup at Ka‘iwi Beach Sponsored by MATSON, THANK YOU!
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tudents set out on the early morning the world a better place by getpick up trash. Ka‘iwi Beach, and Sandy’s Beach, is a s rocky shoreline helps Although this area is the currents of the rs, trash still finds hes and stuck in rocks.
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le to collect five bottles, broken ood containers, d with invasive p onto the shore. es to Matson for h Day cleanup.
Photos by Jeff Kuwabara, UHM MOP Coordinator MAY 2016 |19
cean updates
By Keelee Martin, UHH MOP Student
“CURRENTLY, SCIENTISTS HAVE NAMED AND SUCCESSFULLY CLASSIFIED AROUND 1.5 MILLION SPECIES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE AS LITTLE AS 2 MILLION TO AS MANY AS 50 MILLION MORE SPECIES THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FOUND AND/OR HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY CLASSIFIED.” Ocean Updates facts brought to you by: http://marinebio.org/
Courtesy of Flickr contributor, Reuters/Daniel Beltra
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Aloha Casper
Ocean Acidification Effects On the Okeanos Explorer’s 2016 season in waters more Worsen at Night than 4,000 meters deep (13,120 ft.) the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer scoured the benthic community northeast of Necker Island in the Hawaiian Archipelago. The expedition’s objective was to obtain geological samples from Necker Ridge to compare samples taken from Necker Island to determine if a composition connection existed between the sites. On February 27, during the first operational dive, the geological project gained a more biological slant. At 4,290 meters (14,074 ft.), a small octopod that had never been seen before was spotted on a flat rock. There are two types of deep-sea octopods described as either “cirrate” (finned) or “incirrate.” The first category, cirrate or finned are also known as the “dumbo” octopods and have fins on the sides of their body and finger-like cirri associated with the suckers on their tentacles. The dumbo octopods inhabit waters more than 5,000 meters deep (16,400 ft.). Incirrate octopods have no cirri or fins and resemble shallow-watered octopus. The incirrate octopods typically inhabit waters less than 4,000 meters deep.
An extensive coastline study in California has revealed big threats for marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons in tidepools that face pH changes in the seawater chemistry at night. Ken Caldeira and Lester Kwiatkowski from Carnegie Institution for Science studied a variety of rocky tidepools at the UC Bodega Marine Laboratory in relation to Ocean Acidification. Ocean acidification is a pH change in seawater as a result of carbon dioxide absorption in the ocean that makes seawater more acidic. This ocean chemistry change is a problem for calcifying organisms. Calcifying organisms include species such
Photo by: The NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, The octopod seen on the deep dive was Hohonu Moana 2016. classified into the incirrate octopods and broke the depth barrier for its incirrate counterparts. The octopod discovery was shared on as coralline algae, corals, molluscs, and crustaceans. social media and the creature soon became affection- Heightened acidity makes it challenging for these orately known as “Casper” for its ghost-like appearance. ganisms to create the calcium layers in their shells and Casper did have some unique qualities including one exoskeletons. In high acidic conditions the water can series of suckers on the tentacles (rather than the se- completely dissolve these calcium carbonate structures. ries of two commonly seen). It also lacked chromatophores (color changing cell pigments) and was rather The findings from this coastline study have revealed flabby looking. These qualities have researchers almost that the effects from ocean acidification worsen at night. positive that this discovery is not only a new species, During the day, photosynthesis occurs and carbon dioxbut also may not fall into any existing genus rendering ide is taken up from the water to create sugar as oxygen is released. This combats some of the excess carbon diit currently without a Latin name. oxide that the ocean absorbs from carbon emissions. At The researchers of the Okeanos Explorer may collabo- night respiration is performed and plants and animals rate with a German research cruise that has also ob- take up oxygen and release carbon dioxide like we do. served incirrate octopods at great depth in the Eastern The added carbon dioxide levels at night heighten the Pacific for publication risk for calcifying organisms. Comparisons were perMAY 2016 |21
formed between daytime and nighttime shell and skeleton dissolution rates. The dissolution rates at low tides during the day were much less affected than the low tide rates at night. Dark, low tides had a corrosive effect on the calcification process while shells and exoskeletons dissolved at a rate heavily influenced by the seawater’s acidic conditions. Kwiatkowski said that this research is evidence that even in the waters today, the ocean chemistry has altered so that, “calcifying species, such as mussels and coralline algae, can dissolve during the night due to the more-acidic conditions caused by community respiration.” Caldeira stated that if what was observed in this study holds clues to what is to come, “by the year 2050 there will likely be twice as much nighttime dissolution as there is today.” It is still unknown how each coastline will respond to ocean acidification, but if the world continues on as is without change, the environmental response will certainly not be positive.
low concentrations of CO2 will take on the higher concentrations of CO2 in the surrounding water. When the bubbles reach the surface, the gas will be released into the atmosphere and the pH of the water will be less acidic, making it easier for calcifying organisms to create their shells and skeletons. A tank experiment tested the bubble stream method. At night, giant kelp was added to the tank and while the kelp respired, the acidity in the tank increased. In the morning the kelp was removed and bubblers were turned on to see how the bubbles affected the high CO2 concentration. Results showed that during two hours of bubbling the natural cycle of CO2 transfer from the water to the air increased 10-30 times.
Koweek believes that this strategy could greatly help shallow-water areas with ecologic, cultural, or economic importance. Bubbler operation would be small scale and the CO2 removal benefits from the water would outweigh the small amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by the bubbling process and the compressor Bubbles To the Rescue used to create the bubbles. Koweek imagines the posDavid Koweek, a doctoral candidate at Stanford’s School sibilities of utilizing this bubbling process in the tropics. of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, believes The bubble compressors could be solar powered, charged he has found a way to help alleviate ocean acidification through the in small and enviday and bubble ronmentally imthrough the night. portant areas with In addition to helpbubbles. While ing coral reefs with Koweek studied acidification, bubchemical systems blers could possiof coral reefs and bly be used in other other shallowenvironments such water ecosystems, as salt marshes, he noticed higher seagrass meadows concentrations of and mangroves. carbon dioxide (CO2) at night Technology to Subsea Glider. Photo by: UVic Whale Research Lab while organisms Save The Whales underwent resA new study by piration. Coral the University of Victoria could use a Subsea Glider to reefs around the world have been diminished by 30help prevent boat strikes on baleen whales. The Subsea 60% since the time of the Industrial Revolution, aided Glider is two meters long (6.7 ft.) and glides underwaby heightened ocean absorption of CO2. With this in ter gathering and recording whale vocalizations with mind, Koweek wondered if coral growth would increase acoustic sensors, sonar and hydrophones. These recordif CO2 levels could be lessened in the dark hours before ings allow researchers to track whale movements. This dawn when the water is most acidic and he wondered if project is under the National Whale Project (Whales, he could do it with bubbles. Habitat and Listening Experiment), which hopes to The idea comes from diffusion. Bubble streams with characterize whale habitat and to test and create a close 22| Seawords
to real-time warning system of whale presence to pre- National Park (including the offshore coral reefs at Banvent boat strikes. co de San Antonio), NOAA’s national marine sanctuaries: the Flower Garden Banks and Florida Keys, and Lead researcher and UVic geographer, David Duffus, the National Park Service’s Dry Tortugas and Biscayne describes many of Canada’s at risk species as “data definational parks. cient.” This lack of information fuels this project to gain a better understanding of what large baleen whales like The coral reef at Banco de San Antonio is habitat to over humpback, sei, blue, and the North Pacific right are do- 100 fish species, 15 coral species, and 40 sponge speing underwater and therefore how we can limit whale- cies amongst other marine organisms. With the short boat collisions and noise pollution. distance between the U.S. and Cuba and the conveyor belt currents, the health of the reefs in Cuba are related The launch of the ocean glider was on March 15 off of to the health of the reefs in the U.S. The pristine reefs in Flores Island in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. Cuba will be compared to close reefs in the U.S. to see The glider collected vocalizations and distributions for the effects of climate change and other anthropogenic three weeks along the shelf break in Clayoquot Canyon. activities on the observed ecosystems. In the past, gliders have been used on the east coast of Vancouver Island to track whale movements and have In addition to reef research, the joined fisheries have been successful in locating habitats of the critically en- started studying biophysical connections of targeted dangered North Atlantic right whale. This project fo- pelagic fishes in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribcused on ecologically sensitive areas on the western bean. Last year aboard the NOAA ship, Nancy Foster, coast of Vancouver and the Atlantic part of Canada. oceanographers representing NOAA’s Atlantic OceanoThe glider can collect data at night and in poor weather graphic and Meteorological Laboratory collaborated conditions, which will allow a more complete data set of with fishery biologists representing NOAA’s Southeast whale habitat and feeding grounds, as it will not rely on Fisheries Science Center. The team performed a twohuman presence for collection. month survey seeking to observe the relationship between the region where fish larvae are spawned and The project was funded by the Marine Environmenthe larval distributions. With Cuban representatives on tal Observation Prediction and Dalhousie University’s board, the coastal waters of Cuba were also a part of this Response Network (MEOPAR) in Nova Scotia, Canastudy. The Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, was da, and was only one part of a three-year study by the one of the economically significant and environmentalWhale Project, which includes contributions from over ly threatened pelagic fish targeted in this research. 20 different agencies. Fish larvae spawned in the coastal waters of Cuba are The Ocean Doesn’t Care About Political Bound- taken via ocean currents into the Gulf of Mexico and aries eventually the Atlantic Ocean. It is of mutual interest When President Obama visited Cuba last month, it and benefit for the U.S. and Cuba to perform these types was not only a new era for international relations, but of partnered studies for the fish and other organisms also for collaborative efforts in marine science for the that are shared in the waters between us. The data col90 miles of water that lay between nations. Billy Cau- lected last year gave a species abundance in the Western sey, the Regional Director of NOAA’s Office of National Caribbean and are now aiding the improvement of tuna Marine Sanctuaries’ Southeast Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico stock estimations in the Western Caribbean and in the and Caribbean region, explained that ocean currents Gulf of Mexico. The data taken in Cuban waters will asare conveyor belts, and they do not make exceptions for sist in further development of a regional habitat model for the bluefin tuna species, which is crucial as populapolitical boundaries. tions are in great decline. At the end of last year, Cuba’s National Center for Protected Areas, NOAA, and the U.S. National Park Service The success of the 2015 research cruise is hoped to condecided to collaborate their research findings to work tinue in another cruise aboard the Nancy Foster this on some of the most ecologically important resources in spring and summer when they return to Cuba for more the Caribbean. Their first efforts will focus on five envi- data collection. n ronmentally sensitive locations: Cuba’s Guanahacabibes MAY 2016 |23
BLUE
Actions for the Ocean
GENERATION
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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Background photo by Asino Grasso, Flickr
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aking your pet to the beach can be a great day of bonding for the both of you, but letting your furry friend splash through the waves could have a bigger ocean impact than you think. It is estimated that just in America, cats and dogs generate up to 10 million tons of waste in our seas per year, according to World Oceans Day. Below are some ways you and Fido can enjoy the beach while being an ocean friendly pet owner:
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Use eco-friendly waste disposal methods. When taking care of business, use a biodegradable bag to clean up your pets mess. Some beaches provide bagging stations, however it’s important to still bring your own just in case. Eco-friendly waste bags can be bought at places like http://poopbags.com.
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Bring plenty of fresh water to drink. It can be tempting for your pet to take a drink of the cold sea water, however the ocean’s high salinity could cause your pet to have diarrhea. Make sure to give both you and your pet frequent water breaks to avoid a messy situation. , Flickr er j h b Am y:
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It’s all fun and games till someone steps in poo. Pet waste can carry all sorts of bacteria that can cause water to be unsafe to swim in. If you think your pet has “gotta go” make sure to pick up after it, and properly dispose of the matter.
Know the proper doggy etiquette at the beach. All O‘ahu beaches have a leash law prohibiting pets at the beach that aren’t on a leash. For a list of pet friendly beaches along with proper beach etiquette, visit http://www.hawaiianhumane.org/Dog-FriendlyBeaches.html
MAY 2016 |25
critter of the month
Devil Scorpionfish
Scientific Name: Scorpaenopsis diabolus Hawaiian Name: nohu ‘omakaha Size: 4-24 inches Diet: Smaller Fish Colors:Varies
Devil scorpionfish in Kona, Hawai‘i. Photo by: Stephanie Batzer, Flickr
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By Mason Mellot, UHM MOP Student
ave you ever seen a more terrifyingly ugly fish? This grotesque creature is called the devil scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis diabolus. The aptly named family of scorpionfish includes over 200 separate species found in shallow waters and temperate reefs around the world. In Hawai‘i these unique fish range in size from four to 24 inches, feed on smaller fishes, and come in a variety of colors. Scorpionfish originated in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and have been quite successful in terms of survival and popularity ever since, even making it to the big screen (despite their looks) in the 1980 classic, “The Blue Lagoon.” Scorpionfish are named for the row of venomous fin spines located on their dorsal side (along their back). The most venomous species of scorpionfish is the stonefish, which resides predominantly in the South Pacific and is not found in Hawaiian waters. All species of scorpionfish are well camouflaged and can be very difficult to distinguish from the reef. When threatened, scorpionfish become much more visible splaying their fins in a brightly colored warning display. Scorpionfish are ambush predators, waiting motionless and camouflaged for small fish to swim by then quickly shooting out to grab their prey. The venom possessed by scorpionfish is only used as a defensive mechanism, not for preying on other fishes. This month’s critter, the devil scorpionfish is one of 25 species of scorpionfish found in Hawai‘i. The Hawaiian name for these fish is nohu ‘omakaha. The word Nohu has to do with spines and is also used to refer to a spiny Hawaiian plant. Stings from the devil scorpionfish are not considered life threatening, but they do cause extreme pain that can last up to 12 hours if untreated. Even though stings are quite rare, swimmers, snorkelers, and divers should be careful to not touch the bottom of the reef or reach into crevices. Scorpionfish are harmless if left alone, so if you see one make sure not to get too close! n
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FLASHBACK: 1987
By Emily Menzies, UHM MOP Student This Flashback goes back to November of 1987, when MOP students and volunteers around Hawai‘i volunteered to pick up garbage on the National Beach Cleanup Day “Get the Drift - and Bag It.” On October 17, volunteers around the state cleaned a total of 60 beaches from Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i picking up almost 37 tons of garbage. MOP students met with more volunteers at Magic Island and picked up 180 bottles, 140 feet of wire, 28 plastic bags, 39 cans, 14 pieces of fiberglass, seven fishing lines as well as surfboard fins, a pair of sunglasses, batteries, golf balls, swim fins and a fishing net. Most of the debris that was found was non-biodegradable and if it was not picked up by them, some of it might still be in the ocean today. Trash in Hawai‘i is as big problem now as it was in 1987. Attending beach cleanups and throwing away trash you see lying on the ground is a great way to combat this growing litter problem in Hawai’i.
MAY 2016 |27
FREE PUBLIC TALKS
May 2016
Community Resource Management in Hawaiʻi
1 May • • •
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council's Communitybased Fishery Management Speaker: Charles Kaʻaiʻai Affiliation: Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Council, National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Happy Mother’s Day!
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8 May
15 May • •
22 May • •
Feature Film Screening
Makai Watch: Building Bridges Through Community Engagement Affiliation: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
29 May •
Feature Film Screening
Nature’s Fellowship of the Whales • 2010, Runtime: 55 min
SUNDAYS HANAUMA BAY
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From Planning to Practice: Towards Co-management of Hawaiʻi Coral Reef Fisheries
Speaker: Adam Ayers Affiliation: Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR), National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Papa Mau: The Wayfinder • Palikū Documentary Films • 2010, Runtime: 57 min
General Information about Sundays at the Bay: • Sunday afternoons, 3pm to 4pm at Hanauma Bay • Admission is free • Parking $1.00 per vehicle • Questions? Call #397-5840 or e-mail hbaynews@hawaii.edu
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MOP Graduation 5:00pm-7:00pm Dean Hall 104
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Fun Fact: The only Friday the 13th this year.
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Logan Magad-Weiss, UHM MOP Student MAY 2016 |29
University of Hawai`i at Mﾄ］oa 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!