the File - American Academy of Underwater

THE SLATE
American Academy
of Underwater Sciences
430 Nahant Road
Nahant, MA 01908
ISSUE 3
A News Publication of the American
Academy of Underwater Sciences
2003
WHAT’S IN THE WORKS
• DSO Meeting 10–11th March
• Bubble Breaker
• Welcome Reception
• Symposium 12–13th March
• Dive Opportunity
• Raffle
• Socials & Workshops
• Final banquet at the fabulous
Aquarium of the Pacific
California State University, Long Beach
AAUS 23rd Annual
Diving for Science
Symposium 2004
Watch our
Web site
for details!
www.aaus.org
We are very excited to be holding our 23rd Annual Diving for Science
Symposium in lovely Long Beach, California, 10–13 March, 2004, hosted
by California State University, the Wrigley Institute for Environmental
Sciences, and the Aquarium of the Pacific. The Diving Safety Officer’s
Meeting will be held on Catalina Island at the Wrigley Institute on
March 10–11. We have a lot of great stuff planned, so please make
your arrangements to join us…this symposium is just seven short months
away! More to come, so visit the AAUS Web site, http://www.aaus.org,
for updates. Looking forward to seeing all of you in Long Beach!
ABOUT LONG BEACH
The temperature averages 74°F year round
and averages about 345 days of sunshine.
TRAVEL
Wrigley Institute
for Environmental
Sciences,
Catalina Island
HOTEL RESERVATIONS & RATES
2
Discover the warmth, charm, and
hospitality of the Ayres Hotel at Seal
Beach, a European-style boutique
hotel. You’re just minutes from some of
the most challenging golf courses in
Southern California. Place your bet on
a winner at Los Alamitos Race Track.
See the ocean at Seal Beach Pier.
Board the Queen Mary in Long Beach.
See everything under the ocean at the
new Aquarium of the Pacific!
Long Beach is easily reached by flying into one of
three airports: Long Beach Airport (LGB) (www.lgb.org/
content/fltSched.htm); Los Angeles International (LAX)
(www.los-angeleslax.com/airlines.html); or John Wayne
Airport (SNA) (www.ocair.com/). For driving directions, see
www.mapquest.com/
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
AAUS 2003 Election Results
The 2003 AAUS election is history and was a benchmark
for AAUS. This was the first use of an electronic ballot
and the first time nominations were received and vetted using the AAUS Web page. It was a successful
nominating process: the number of people participating was much higher than in the past. Previously,
the Nominations Committee chairman would be like
the Maytag repairman: “Nobody ever called.” The
move to the Web site was very popular. We had 13
people nominated for Board of Directors, two for Secretary, and three for the President Elect. In a few cases,
different members nominated the same person for
one or more positions. It was a positive surprise, and I
was very pleased not to cast a net to find candidates.
The election via the Web page was not without a
few challenges. The procedure was to log into the
AAUS Web page, select the “Individual Members”
corner, and then select the ballot and vote. A few
members had trouble finding the ballot, and we tried
to assist them so they could cast their vote. The final
tally showed that 48 percent of the eligible members
voted. The race was very competitive for Board of Directors. The top five were locked in a horse race. The
winners were as follows. Douglas Kesling (National Undersea Research Center, University of North Carolina
at Wilmington), won the most votes and will serve a
three-year term. Second place went to Cheryl Thacker
(University of Florida); Cheryl will be serving for two
years. Third place went to Gavin Wuttken (Monterey
Bay Aquarium Research Institution); Gavin will serve for
one year. Vallorie Hodges (Oregon Coast Aquarium)
is the incoming Secretary and will replace herself (I
want to be around when the outgoing Secretary
passes on the minutes to the newly elected—left hand
to right hand). The President Elect is Steve Sellers (East
Carolina University); Steve serves as the President Elect
for two years and President for two years.
We congratulate the new officers and directors
and wish them success and wisdom to keep the AAUS
ship afloat and on course. We thank all of the members who participated in nominating, ran for office, and
turned out for the election. We hope that those who
were willing to serve but did not get elected will remain
dedicated members. Remember that there are ways
to be involved even if you are not elected: serve on
committees, write to the President and BOD regarding issues you deem important, and host and participate in regional as well as annual meetings. Thank you,
membership! Your actions indicate that there is strong
interest in AAUS. I also thank the current officers and
board members for their support in bringing the nomination and election process into the 21st Century.
PS—We did not find any ballots that had hanging
chads; sorry, Catherine.
If you have specific suggestions for improving the
nomination and election process, the Board would be
pleased to receive them. Send your comments to the
President or to me; I will be glad to pass them on.
If you were a candidate for office and feel slighted
that I did not call to personally congratulate you or
offer condolences, I apologize. This summer was a
very busy travel and field-work period for me. It was
difficult to call, although I tried to contact several of
those who were elected and was able to leave a
voice message on the answering machine.
If anyone would like the actual count for the election, please contact me. The count will also be published in the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting.
Live free and enjoy the planet—
Sincerely,
Walter C. Jaap
Chair, Nominating &
Election Committee
AAUS DIVING OFFICER MEETING
OM
COMPLIANCE
Beginning with the 2004 membership year,
any Organizational Member who is more than
one year out of compliance will need
to reapply as a new applicant.
—William E. Dent, President—
American Academy of Underwater Sciences
10 October 2003 • 1:30 pm EDST*
University of Miami Rosenstiel School
of Marine and Atmospheric Science
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149
Contact Rick Riera-Gomez, TEL 305 361-4107,
[email protected], FAX 305 361-4174,
to offer agenda items.
*Time may differ. Confirm at AAUS booth 910
at DEMA and arrange for transportation.
3
Underwater Methods for
Sampling Distribution and
Abundance of Smallmouth Bass
in North Temperate Lakes
Karl W. Mueller, Don P. Rothaus, and Kurt L. Fresh
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501
Traditional lake fishery investigations use an assortment of potentially harmful or lethal gear types (e.g.,
electrofishing boats or gillnets) to assess fish distribution
and abundance. Direct observation while scuba diving or snorkeling provides a non-destructive alternative
to traditional exploitative methods. Furthermore, direct
observation allows real-time recording of individual or
group movement,
behavior, and habitat
associations (Fig. 1).
When combined with
spatial analysis tools
such as GIS (geographical information
system), differential
GPS (global position- Fig. 1. Smallmouth bass swimming near a
WDFW diver in Lake Washington. Divers’
ing system), and side- bubbles had little effect on smallmouth
scan sonar-imaging of bass behavior. (Photo by Don P. Rothaus)
the bottom, divers’ observations can be used to generate three-dimensional maps of their subject’s habitat use. In recent years, researchers from the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
combined multiple layers of information from these
technologies to explore smallmouth bass (Micropterus
dolomieu) selection of natural (e.g., boulders or submersed woody debris) vs. artificial structure (e.g., docks
and pilings) and to assess the spatial and temporal
overlap between predaceous smallmouth bass and
their prey, including juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in two urban lakes.
Lake Washington and neighboring Lake Union support one of the premiere smallmouth bass fisheries in
Washington State. In fact, Lake Washington is quickly
becoming nationally recognized as a tournament
destination. The lakes, which are connected via Union
Bay and the Montlake Cut, lie in the heart of the
greater Seattle metropolitan area (Fig. 2). Nearshore
development in Lake Washington is almost completely
comprised of urban residential lakefront properties,
whereas the shoreline of Lake Union is used principally
for commercial purposes. Stationary and floating docks
4
are widespread and reported to harbor piscine predators, forming a gauntlet for migratory juvenile
salmonids. However, few studies of the lakes’ smallmouth bass resources have been conducted, especially the impact of smallmouth bass on resident fish.
Information on smallmouth bass habitat use or empirical studies of spatial and temporal overlaps with
threatened native species such as chinook salmon
are lacking. To rectify this, WDFW conducted a study
of the distribution and habitat use of smallmouth bass
in the littoral zones of Lake Washington and Lake Union.
The study was conducted May–August 2000–2002.
Dive operations were carried out over 3–4 consecutive
days each month of the study period. Smallmouth
bass distribution and abundance were investigated at
several (n = 19) 1,000-ft sections of shoreline around
Lake Washington and Lake Union. These sites were
historically used by WDFW as beach seining locations
for the study of outmigrating juvenile chinook salmon,
but they also included areas that partially overlapped,
or were located within, waterfront park boundaries (i.e.,
undeveloped shoreline) or other possible salmonid migration routes. In this way, we hoped to assess not
only the temporal and spatial overlap between smallmouth bass and juvenile chinook salmon but also the
impact of shoreline development (e.g., docks and pilings) on smallmouth bass distribution and abundance.
In 2000, prior to starting dive operations, eight study
locations were mapped using side-scan sonar technology. A 5-ft, 600-khz towfish with 246 ft maximum
range was towed behind a 24-ft aluminum workboat
(Innerspace Exploration Team, Mill Creek, WashingFig. 2. View of Lake Union and Montlake Cut area north of downtown
Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Karl W. Mueller)
Fig. 3. Side-scan sonar image showing submerged structure (natural and
artificial) in littoral zone of Lake Washington. The white border starting at
the upper right quadrant of the image marks the shoreline. Note the large
log and woody debris at left. The white dots and vertical black streaks
are dock pilings and shadows cast by the side-scan sonar. The narrow,
dark shadow extending from the shoreline into the lake is from a boat at
the surface tied to a dock. An inset bulkhead is visible at the top center.
(Photo by Crayton Fenn, Innerspace Exploration Team)
ton) following the 30-ft isobath at ~2.5 knots. The towfish scanned the bottom from the vessel shoreward with
readings processed using Marine Sonic® software. The
resulting imagery revealed several submerged structures and features (Fig. 3), both natural and artificial,
at each sample location that were “ground-truthed”
by divers during subsequent dives.
Standardized transects were
performed by two divers (Fig. 4)
along three depth ranges
(shallow [4–6 ft], middle [12–14
ft], and deep [18–22 ft]) at each
sample location during morning
Fig. 4. During the study, all
underwater transects were (0900–1130) or afternoon (1330–
performed by two WDFW
1600). Diel differences in smalldivers (Photo by Don P.
Rothaus).
mouth bass activity, distribution,
and abundance were examined by performing dive
transects at two locations during the morning
(0900–1130), afternoon (1330–1600), and night
(0030–0300). Changes in the vertical distribution and
abundance of smallmouth bass were examined by
including two additional isobaths (~50 ft and <4 ft) at
two locations.
During a survey, divers entered the water and descended a downline attached to a buoy that marked
the beginning of the deepest transect line. Underwater visibility (lateral distance) was determined by one
diver who selected an object
at the limit of his vision and
measured the distance from the
downline to that object using a
waterproof measuring tape. This
distance was assumed to be the
same for all transects within a Fig. 5. WDFW surface tender
sample location and essentially positioning support vessel
and GPS antenna over
became the width of each tran- divers’ exhaust bubbles dursect for smallmouth-bass den- ing transects in Lake Washington. (Photo by Karl W.
sity estimation purposes. Surface Mueller)
tenders then positioned a 19-ft follow vessel over the
divers’ bubbles to obtain the start point using a portable,
onboard GPS unit. The GPS antenna was secured to a
boom extending beyond the bow of the support vessel. This enabled the surface tender to more accurately
position the antenna over the divers’ bubbles (Fig. 5).
Divers swam side-by-side,
maintained a relatively constant rate of forward motion,
and used the depth contour
bounds to guide them along
a given transect. In areas of
flat or low-slope bottoms, it
was often necessary to use a Fig. 6. WDFW divers swimming
a shallow transect parcompass bearing in conjunc- along
allel to shore in Lake Washingtion with the depth bounds so ton. (Photo by Karl W. Mueller)
that the transect stayed generally parallel to shore
(Fig. 6). The support vessel shadowed the divers along
each transect, holding a position slightly behind to
avoid possible fish disturbance. The support vessel was
equipped with an electric outboard motor capable
of maneuvering 360°. The electric
motor was also used to eliminate
any possible noise disturbance
associated with a standard gasoline outboard motor.
Divers were in constant verbal communication with each
Fig. 7. Topside WDFW surother and the surface tenders face tender communicatusing a wireless, voice activated ing with submerged divers
while recording their obsercommunication system. When vations in Lake Union.
smallmouth bass or submerged (Photo by Karl W. Mueller)
structure were encountered alone or collectively, the
divers stopped, hailed the support vessel to obtain
their position using the GPS unit, and gave a brief description of their observations. Diver observations were
recorded topside by a surface tender
(Fig. 7) and included a visual estimation of fish size (small [<10” total
length or TL), medium [10–15” TL],
and large [>15” TL] relative to the 18”
length of a hand-held underwater
slate; Fig. 8), behavior (swimming,
sheltering, guarding nest, etc.), and
position relative to structure or substrate. Furthermore, the surface tenFig. 8. WDFW divers
monitored
depth der recorded bottom depth (ft),
and time, navigated, structure (woody debris, vegetation,
and visually estimated the size of rip-rap, dock, etc.), and substrate
smallmouth bass en- classifications (mud, sand, gravel,
countered during
transects using a etc.) (Fig. 9), and, when present, the
hand-held underwanumber of young-of-year smallmouth
ter slate. (Photo by
bass (Fig. 10) as indicated by the
Don P. Rothaus)
continued on page 12
5
AAUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Studying the Ecology of Benthic
Algivores in Lake Tanganyika
Peter B. McIntyre, PhD Candidate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University
biomass to levels rarely observed on
Lake Tanganyika is a spectacular setunprotected rocks. So which herbiting for underwater research. High
vores suppress algal accumulation
visibility and a diverse fauna of enso strongly?
demic animals make research divI used size-selective exclusion exing both fun and rewarding, and it is
periments to address this issue. Some
often difficult to focus on mundane
tasks instead of fish watching. The Eretmodus cyanostictus, one of the en- algivore species are small-bodied,
Tanganyikan fishes are truly remark- demic ‘goby’ cichlids of Lake Tanganyika. whereas others are much larger; thus,
These small (<10 cm) rock-grazers reach
able, including around 200 species of high densities in the surf zone. The spiny plastic cages of different mesh sizes
cichlids, catfishes, spiny eels, and eel (Aethiomastacembelus platysoma) can restrict access to experimental
hunts for invertebrates and small fishes.
substrates on the basis of body size.
many other taxa. Ongoing studies of
After growing algae on ceramic substrates protected
snails, crabs, and ostracods are revealing startling diby small mesh (1.3 cm2 holes), I compared the rate of
versity in these groups as well, but we are only beginning to understand how all of these species interact.
algae removal from substrates protected by four difThe littoral zone is particularly interesting because a maferent mesh sizes (1.3, 3.6, 10.8, 25.3 cm2 holes) or no
jority of Tanganyika’s species are restricted to shallow
mesh at all. With each increase in mesh size, a larger
waters around the edge of the lake. Benthic algal
subset of the herbivore assemblage could reach the
productivity appears to fuel the littoral food web, and
substrates, yet less than half of the maximum cona scholarship from AAUS has supported my dissertation
sumption rate was realized when 10.8 cm2 holes alresearch on the algivore community.
lowed access by most invertebrates and small fishes.
Algivores play a critical role in aquatic food webs
This pattern suggests that large fishes are the dominant
by harvesting the energy and nutrients captured by
algal consumers. Indeed, when I removed the cages
plants and making them available to
in these experiments, fishes usually
higher trophic levels. In most temperate
stripped almost all of the algae within
freshwaters, invertebrates are the prian hour—far faster than invertebrates
mary herbivores, but tropical systems
appear capable of responding. In adoften contain numerous algae-eating
dition, the biomass density of algaefishes in addition to an array of insects,
eating fishes is 2500% that of snails.
snails, and crustaceans. A major goal
These experimental and observational
of my work is to compare the relative
data indicate that fishes are probably
influence of fishes and invertebrates on Plastic mesh was used to exclude the most important algae-eaters in the
herbivores from experimental subbenthic algal biomass and productiv- strates. Four mesh sizes and an un- Tanganyikan littoral zone.
ity in Lake Tanganyika. This involves using protected control treatment granted
Part of the difference between fishes
experiments and observations to test access to nested subsets of the her- and invertebrates in their effects on
bivore assemblage. The results of exwhich taxa consume the most algae, cluding fishes were already evident algal stocks may result from food prefand stable isotopes to compare the when this photo was taken, less than erences. Unfortunately, the difficulty of
an hour after the experiment began. identifying algae from gut contents of
diets of algivore species.
Despite abundant sunlight in the littoral zone, algae
many taxa complicates direct comparisons. Stable
rarely accumulate on rock surfaces. Dissolved nutrients
isotope analysis offers an alternative way to compare
are scarce, and experiments demonstrate that bendiets among benthic algivores. The abundance of light
thic algae grow more rapidly when the nutrient pool
and heavy stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and
is supplemented. However, the rapid increase in algal
other elements in consumer tissues reflects dietary pataccumulation when herbivores are excluded by externs over months or years. Differences among food
perimental cages is even more striking. Protecting a
sources in their isotopic composition are conserved as
substrate for only five days results in a doubling of algal
the material is assimilated by animals, allowing infer-
6
yield a much more detailed underences about the nature and extent of
standing of algivore ecology than
trophic differences among species.
would otherwise be possible.
I am using stable isotope analysis to
Research on the role of benthic
assess the degree of dietary differentialgae in the food web is desperately
ation among benthic herbivores. This
needed in Lake Tanganyika. Along
involves comparing the isotope signamuch of the shoreline, the littoral zone
tures of diatoms and filamentous
is being covered by silt following
cyanobacteria, the two dominant
groups of algae on rock surfaces, to Fishes were excluded in all but the removal of natural vegetation for fuel
those of the 25 or so herbivorous fishes largest mesh size and the open treat- and farming. This has negative effects
ment; hence the results suggest that
and snails found at my study site. Al- they are the dominant algal con- on the foraging of snails and fishes and
though this component of my work is still sumers in the rocky littoral zone of is associated with reduced diversity of
fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans.
in progress, the preliminary results sug- Lake Tanganyika.
Millions of people rely on fish protein and clean water
gest that it will be fruitful. Five endemic snail genera fell
from the lake; hence, habitat degradation may have
into two trophic groups, most likely representing speprofound negative consequences for its unique fauna
cialized consumers of diatoms and cyanobacteria,
and its human dependents alike. My projects will clarify
respectively. As I analyze more samples, I hope to diswhich species are most likely to be affected by sedicover whether comparable groupings are evident in
ment-induced changes in the algal community and
fishes, and whether these indeed match the isotope
what effects this may have on the food web. I am
signatures of the algal groups. I am also collaborating
grateful to AAUS for supporting my underwater
with researchers from Finland to collect a parallel data
research, and I also thank the many collaborators and
set for fatty acids, a second type of conservative
students that have provided critical assistance with
tracer of diet. Combining these indirect methods with
this work.
observations of gut contents and foraging behavior will
Scholarship Fund
Raffle Prize
AAUS CORPORATE SPONSOR
DELTA P VR-3
DIVE COMPUTER
A VR-3 dive computer, donated by manufacturer-marketer Delta P Technology, will
be raffled to raise AAUS scholarship funds.
Tickets are $10 each. Only 200 tickets will be
sold, or until the drawing at DEMA, October
10, 2003, whichever comes first. Chances of
winning are at least one chance in 200 per
raffle ticket. Tickets may be purchased from
the AAUS Web page (www.aaus.org) and
will be sold at the DEMA show, AAUS booth
910. Please help support the AAUS Scholarship Program by purchasing tickets. To
obtain details about the dive computer,
please go to www.vr3.co.uk.
7
The entrance to Mystery Cave, Exumas, Bahamas. Waterfront development in the Bahamas is threatening the stability of these blue
holes. Activities such as dredging and waterfront construction greatly increase sedimentation rates within the blue holes. This event
is effectively “sandblasting” benthic species, several of which are unique to the cave environment and have not been studied until
very recently. Photo © M. Lombardi.
MARINE CAVE SYSTEMS
unveiling significant natural resources and a fragile community
Michael Lombardi, President
Applied Subsea Technologies Inc., 95 Hathaway Center, Suite 5, Providence, RI 02907; tel 401-941-3646, cell 401226-1875, www.appliedsubsea.com, [email protected]
Marc Slattery, PhD
University of Mississippi, Department of Pharmacognosy
PO Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848; tel 662-915-1053, [email protected]
Recent interests in not only exploring but also conducting science in extreme environments have
opened the door to new and innovative manners of
thinking about marine science. While “technical diving’ is still a very new tool for diving scientists, it has certainly provided access to unique areas of our ocean
that have never been observed first hand by divers in
a manned-diving operation. Of interest are deep reefs
(Lombardi et al., The SLATE, October 2002) and cave
systems. Access to these environments is extremely
challenging because training opportunities within the
scientific community are limited, and liability issues are
often a concern because developing institutional standards for diving in these areas are works in progress.
Also, conducting very detailed dive plans/profiles and
carrying out scientific tasks can be challenging. Despite
these ongoing issues, the theme of “access” is a criti-
8
cal one. This was the foundation from which all of the
marine sciences evolved. The next step, to access
deeper depths or more challenging habitats (i.e.,
caves), is a natural evolution of our personal curiosities
and will open the next door in our scientific pursuits.
These extreme areas do play significant roles in the
ocean’s entirety; however, scientists are just beginning to identify their critical resources. Dr. Marc Slattery
of the University of Mississippi has been interested in
chemical ecology of cave sponges for several years.
This work has been conducted through the Caribbean
Marine Research Center on Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Chemical ecology studies are often a first step
in identifying “natural products” in the environment that
may be useful in the biotech/biomedical community.
By discovering and understanding the unique species
in the cave environment, we can develop a case for
tery Cave is a community
preserving these resources,
that has been severely imbecause potential for dispacted by anthropogenic
coveries, such as new anstress. These unique marine
tibiotics, may be hidden
habitats are not visible to
within the depths of these
the layperson, and so they
unexplored areas.
are often overlooked and
The blue holes of the Bataken for granted when in
hamas of interest have
fact these areas, never
yielded 42 species of mahaving had their resources
rine sponges, of which apexploited, potentially harproximately
half
are
bor significant discoveries
estimated to be new and
and should become the
not previously described for
focus of more scientific
science. Of these, 17 have
studies.
been targeted for further
CMRC and its collaboinvestigation at the Narative group of scientists intional Center for Natural
terested in the next era of
Products Research. Again,
true ocean exploration
providing “access” to these
environments is just as im- Researcher Marc Slattery collecting sponges from Mystery recognize that a pioneerCave, Exumas. Photo © M. Lombardi.
ing effort to open the doors
portant as the science itto technological advancements is the critical next
self. Development of technology and techniques
step. The pursuit of science in new frontiers requires an
married with science is allowing new discoveries to be
equal, if not more, emphasis on development of divmade at an amazing rate.
ing technology, techniques, and theories alongside the
Our drug discovery efforts in the caves have inscience itself. In the aftermath of the recent STS-107 Cocluded a focus on Mystery Cave, Stocking Island Harlumbia space shuttle tragedy, there is a heightened
bor, Exumas, since we noted selective antifungal
public interest in the understanding of exploration.
activity of sponge extracts collected from this cave in
Our “innerspace” is Earth’s last unexplored frontier,
1999. In August 2002, we received word that dredging
and when asked “why?!?” we put our lives on the line
was planned in the fall for the Stocking Island Harbor.
as researchers in these often unforgiving environments,
Because this provided an opportunity to study the stathe answer is simple: true exploration is driven by a pasbility of and potential anthropogenic impact on this
sion for science that was inspired by the potential for
cave, we conducted a preliminary survey of the cave
discovery. This passion and inspiration leads us to exlooking at distribution and abundance of all sponges
ceed and redefine physical, psychological, and physin three zones (zone 1: mouth of cave back to about
iological limits in very non-routinely accessed areas of
50 m; zone 2: 50 m back to about 100 m; zone 3: 100
our ocean, much like our colleagues pursing outerm back to 150 m). These zones coincide with 1) a
space exploration…for one common purpose…HOPE
sponge fauna that is dominated by reef immigrants,
that one day our efforts and results will open the doors
2) a transitional fauna including reef species and caveto discovery, and humanity will reap the benefits of
adapted species, and 3) a cave-adapted fauna, rethese explorations for generations.
spectively. In January 2003, following dredging
operations, we noted a 56% sponge biomass loss and
31% sponge biomass loss in zones 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, 5/12 sponge species and 7/23
Applied Subsea Technologies Inc. is a newly estabsponge species were scoured out of zone 1 and 2, relished science/technology firm based in southern New
spectively. Although there was little change in the surEngland. AST provides scientific dive support and has
face cover or species assemblage in zone 3, silt
done so at all depths and in all habitats on a global scale
build-up was noted that potentially would begin to
from New England, to the Caribbean, to the Antarctic.
choke out sponges near the base of the walls. Sub-samAST also offers training opportunities for advanced modes
ples of sponges from all zones were collected to look
of diving and is committed to developing present techat biochemical stress responses over the course of the
nological capabilities to efficiently support and conduct
next several months at the University of Mississippi.
marine science in rarely accessed habitats. Check us
Nonetheless, it is clear from our field surveys that Mysout online! www.appliedsubsea.com
9
May Cruise Florida Middle Ground
CAN 14 PEOPLE SURVIVE ADVERSE CONDITIONS
WITH THREE DIVING SAFETY OFFICERS ON BOARD?
The
Florida
Middle
Ground (FMG) is a remote
reef system located approximately 100–120 nautical miles northwest of
Tampa Bay in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. In May, we
had an opportunity to dive there, thanks to the convergence of funding and cooperation from multiple
institutions and people.
The team included Carl
Beaver (Florida Marine Research Institute, Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission [FMRI]), Mike Dardeau
(Dauphin Island Sea Lab
[DISL]), Mike Callahan (FMRI),
Felicia Coleman (Florida State University [FSU]), George
Dennis (US Fish and Wildlife Service), Lance Horn (University of North Carolina, Wilmington, National Undersea Research Center), Tom Hopkins (DISL, retired), Walt
Jaap (FMRI), Jim Kidney (FMRI), Chris Koenig (FSU),
Matthew Lybolt (FMRI), Anne McCarthy (Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary), Sherry Reed (Smithsonian Institution Field
Station, Fort Pierce),
George Schmahl (Flower
Gardens Bank National
Marine Sanctuary).
Operations were staged off a commercial, liveaboard diving vessel. The principal motivations for
choosing the vessel were its Nitrox filling system and its
price. My parents often told me you get what you
pay for; in retrospect, I should have been more attentive to these words of wisdom.
Adversity was the operative word on the first leg. We
awoke very early the first morning to a fire in the engine room.
The crew extinguished it quickly,
and then we learned that the
engine crankcases were filled
with seawater because of an
exhaust-system malfunction.
The crew fixed the problem,
10
Walt Jaap
and by late afternoon, we were
under way again.
Felicia and Chris had a Satellite phone so that we could advise our institutions that we were
in a bit of a fix; that phone was
essential for our safety. We were
attempting to dive and use an
ROV to examine reef sites that
were researched extensively in the early 1970s. At first
we used station coordinates based on converted
LORAN C data, but we found that they were inaccurate. We tossed a marker buoy on the coordinate
number, but the divers descended the buoy line only
to find themselves on sand and rubble. After three attempts, we gave up
this tactic and asked
the captain to use
the fathometer to
search for the topographic
features;
however, the fathometer did not work. Third option—launch the ROV and
use it to survey and find the reefs. Lance Horn was a
master at operating the ROV, and we eventually located the structures, marked the place, and deployed
the divers.
Once we solved this problem, we were hit by a big
bad squall with high winds and seas. We retreated to
St. Pete to lick our wounds
and repair the ROV. After
24 hours, we reluctantly
went back out.
On the second leg of
the operation, we finally
got lucky. We were blessed
with good weather for sampling, and we dove on six
sites. Our great bunch of workaholics sampled algae,
octocorals, stony corals, and sponges and photographed and video-documented the reefs. The
data was rolling in with still photography, diver video,
abundance data from quadrats, ROV video, and digital still photos. We conducted over 100 dives in depths
from 85 to 120 ft.
Scientific Diver Training at US EPA
Dan C. Marelli
supplied diving, and dry
The United States Environsuit diving. Training for the
mental Protection Agency
six Divemasters covered
(EPA) held their annual
supervising scientific diving
diver training at the Gulf
sites, diving administration,
Ecology Laboratory in Gulf
advanced accident manBreeze, Florida, May 12–
agement, oxygen admin16. This training is mandaistration, and field repair of A scientific diver candidate
tory
for
all
EPA
divers
or
Surface-supplied dive team
diving equipment. Presen- enters the water as team memconducting surface pre-dive divers who work on EPA
checks.
tations were also made by bers wait below.
contracts and certifies sucEPA scientists on the EPA role in the search for wreckcessful candidates as Scientific Divers or Divemasters.
age from the space shuttle Columbia in Toledo Bend
Any EPA diving operation requires the presence of an
reservoir (Texas) and in the recovery of ilEPA-trained Divemaster. Training was conlegally dumped toxic materials in Kokomo
ducted by Dan Marelli, Jeff Lane, and Jequarry, Indiana.
remy Ables of the Florida State University
Scientific diver candidates worked in
Academic Diving Program and was adteams throughout the week on a variety
ministered by Jim Patrick, training officer
of tasks that fostered team-building and
for the EPA diving program; Jed Campbell;
confidence as scientific divers. Divemasand the EPA Diving Safety Board.
Diver candidates represented the US Divemaster candidate admin- ters were tasked with supervising the dive
EPA, the Florida Department of Environ- isters emergency oxygen to a site, including dive planning, timekeeping, all aspects of diver safety, and remental Protection, and several law en- “victim.”
sponse to incidents. Each Divemaster also experienced
forcement dive teams. The 20 Scientific Diver
at least one unannounced scenario that required
candidates received academic training in advanced
action to correct or manage. All candidates sucdiving physics and physiology, first aid for diving
cessfully completed the coursework and diving tasks.
accidents, diving accident management, oxygen administration, nitrox diving, full-face mask, surface-
Things on our vessel were still not the ideal we had
bargained for. The air conditioning was not producing,
the fresh-water-maker broke down, and Felicia’s laptop computer was doused with salt water (defective
hatch seal) and died. The Nitrox blending system was
producing very low mixes, 29 percent in many cases.
There was a certain stench from a malfunctioning
sewage tank and vent.
The cruise was successful because of the competence and tolerance of the researchers. They got the work
done in spite of hardships and
obstacles. Based on data we collected and compared with the
1970s baseline, we found that
the Florida Middle Ground has
retained its character. The benthic community is very similar to
the early community descriptions
that looked at the algae, sponges,
corals, and fish.
George and Chris are pleased because they may have discovered a
new species of parrotfish. We collected a few specimens and multiple
images of this fish in its favored habitat. The grouper and snapper populations are depleted, and we suspect
that commercial and recreational fishing has caused
the population decline. We saw little evidence of fishing gear on the bottom, but fishing vessels were very
common; one or more were in our vicinity at all times.
We thank all of those
that helped and made
this operation a success.
Now comes the difficult
part of writing this up for
the science.
11
continued from page 5
divers. To ensure independence of fish counts
between
transects,
divers recognized individual fish and groups
of fish by scars or fin
anomalies, size, and relFig. 9. Direct observation by WDFW ative position within the
divers allowed classification of structure, aquatic vegetation, and substrate transect (Fig. 11). The lattype(s) at study locations. Pictured here ter was used to discern
is a wall above the dredge channel at
Webster Point, Lake Washington. whether fish migrated
(Photo by Don P. Rothaus)
between depth contours. In all cases, divers conferred with each other to
make sure fish were counted only once.
The transect was complete when divers encountered the downline from a second buoy that was 1,000
ft from the first buoy (as determined by laser
rangefinder) marking the end point of the deep transect line. At this point, divers verbally called out the
transect-end water temperature (°F) as shown on their
consoles, then swam directly inshore to a point within
the middle depth range. This then became the start
point of the middle transect, which was completed
after swimming along the middle depth range in the
opposite direction and inshore from the first (deep) tran-
AAUS CORPORATE SPONSOR
Our WorldUnderwater
Scholarship
Society
®
The Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society®
—a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation—
promotes educational opportunities
associated with the underwater world.
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200 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 40, Westmont, IL 60559
Phone 630-986-6990 • Fax 630-986-8098
12
sect line. The third and shallowest transect was directly inshore of the other two, the divers following
the same direction as the deep transect line.
Scuba diving and snorkeling have been used in
freshwater fisheries management for decades. Direct
observation can answer questions concerning the distribution and abundance, seasonal movements and
home ranges, microhabitat use, reproduction, and
behavior of a variety of species. For example, during
the 1960s, Arkansas research divers observed
tagged black bass (Micropterus spp.) to gain
knowledge of their territories, home ranges,
and the occurrence of
multiple spawning by
Fig. 10. Juvenile smallmouth bass seekindividual fish. During the ing refuge inside bark of submerged
1970s, Michigan re- cut-log in Lake Washington. (Photo by
Don P. Rothaus)
search divers determined the seasonal distribution and abundance of
several warm-water fish species in a fish community
dominated by bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus). In Massachusetts, population estimates for pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) were more reliable and took fewer
man-hours to complete when diving was compared
to electrofishing. In New York, one researcher examined the diel activity patterns of yellow perch (Perca
flavescens) while diving.
We used underwater methods to evaluate monthly
changes in the density and size structure, size-specific
selection of natural vs.
artificial structure, and
nest-site characteristics
of smallmouth bass at
several locations around
Lake Washington and
Lake Union. Integrating Fig. 11. Smallmouth bass hovering over
the fine substrate off Webster Point,
GIS, GPS, side-scan Lake Washington. Note the split anal
sonar, and direct obser- fin. WDFW divers were able to recognize individual fish using anomalies
vation should provide such as this to ensure independence
fish counts. (Photo by Don P.
maps of smallmouth bass between
Rothaus)
distribution and abundance that will benefit resource managers and anglers
alike. For example, resource managers with regulatory
authority over shoreline development will find this information useful when evaluating new dock construction or placement of submerged structures.
Knowing the distribution, habitat preferences, and
timing of onshore movements of smallmouth bass
should improve the opportunity for anglers to land this
prized gamefish, especially given the combined size
of Lake Washington and Lake Union.
AAUS/ASHI First Aid Training
AAUS has become a training center for the American
Safety & Health Institute (ASHI). ASHI has all the programs and materials needed to comply with AAUS/
OSHA First Aid training requirements. As part of our
agreement, AAUS member organizations receive a
10% discount on training materials and the $15 Instructor fee is waived. CPR/First Aid Instructors can
cross over to ASHI by completing an Instructor Agreement. ASHI also has agreements with NAUI and YMCA.
AAUS can conduct Instructor Training Courses for DSOs
needing certification.
ASHI training materials are concise, thorough, inexpensive, comply with the most recent AMA guidelines
for first aid training, and are nationally recognized.
Recently, ASHI developed a new one-day training
program called Essentials. The Essentials program
contains training modules for Adult CPR, AED, supplemental oxygen administration, blood-borne pathogens, and basic first aid. I used this program for
scientific diver training this past June and found it to
be adequate for the needs of AAUS with some minor
additions. The supplemental oxygen administration
module is minimal and does not cover using a demand valve system to deliver 100% oxygen as would
be required for Decompression Illness or Near Drown-
Ted Maney
ing. This can easily be added as well as specific treatment of other diving injuries in the first aid module.
Presently, AAUS does not require AED training, but
this module is easy to run and is critical for reviving
someone requiring CPR. Many agencies have added
AED training into their professional rescuer programs
and at least expose first aid responders to AEDs in
community programs.
Diver Alert Network (DAN) is also developing a oneday program called Diving Emergency Management
Provider (DEMP), which consists of three modules:
Emergency Oxygen Administration, AED, and First Aid
for Diving. CPR is taught as a separate module. DAN
is producing a single workbook and certification for
DEMP. AAUS is a business member of DAN, and member organizations can purchase DAN Training materials at the business-member prices.
For more information, contact these organizations:
American Safety & Health Institute
4148 Louis Avenue, Holiday, FL 34691
1-800-682-5067, www.ashinstitute.org
Divers Alert Network
The Peter B. Bennett Center
6 West Colony Place, Durham, NC 27705 USA
1-877-532-667, www.diversalertnetwork.org
CPSC, UWATEC Announce Recall
of Smart Dive Computers
WASHINGTON, DC—The US Consumer Product Safety
Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should
stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product UWATEC Smart Dive Computers
Units 6,000 units
Manufacturer UWATEC AG of Hallwil, Switzerland
Hazard The computer’s alert signal system may not
work properly, and the computer screen may freeze.
This may cause inaccurate information to be displayed,
such as water depth, tank pressure, and ascent rate,
posing a risk to the safety of a diver.
Incidents/Injuries The firm has received two reports
of the dive computers not working properly, though no
injuries have been reported.
Description The recalled units are the UWATEC Smart
PRO and the Smart COM dive computers. The Smart
PRO is offered as a console and as a wrist unit. The
Smart COM only comes in a console model. The names
of each unit appear on the computer case, along
with the name “UWATEC.”
Sold at Authorized UWATEC dealers nationwide, February 2002 through June 2003, between $638 and $910.
Manufactured in Switzerland
Remedy Contact UWATEC for a free replacement.
Consumer Contact Call UWATEC American representatives at (800) 808-3948 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
or register on the web site at www.uwatec.com.
Media Contact Cynthia Georgeson at (262) 631-6653
13
AAUS Member Organizations
Aquarium of the Pacific
Aquatic Research Interactive, Inc.
Arizona State University
Broward County, Florida, Department of Planning &
Environmental Protection
California Department of Fish & Game
California State University
Carmel High School
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Duke University School of the Environment Marine
Laboratory
East Carolina University
Florida International University
Florida Marine Research Institute
Florida State University
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Humboldt State University
J. F. White Contracting Company
Loyola Marymount University
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Mote Marine Laboratory
New York Aquarium
NIWA New Zealand
Northeastern University
Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center
OGI School of Science & Engineering
Omaha Zoological Society
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Oregon State University
Oregon Zoo
PAL (The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc.)
Pennsylvania State University
R. Christopher Goodwin and Associates
Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences
Romberg Tiburon Center/San Francisco State University
Saint Marys College of California
San Diego State University
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Seattle University
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
Shoals Marine Laboratory
Smithsonian Institution
Stanford University
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Texas Parks and Wildlife
The American National Fish and Wildlife Museum
The Florida Aquarium
The Oceanic Institute
The Woods Hole Group
Underwater Archaeology Branch
University at Buffalo
University of Alaska
University of California, Davis
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Connecticut Marine Sciences and Technology
Center
University of Florida
University of Guam, Marine Lab
University of Hawaii
University of Maine
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
University of Maryland College Park
University of Miami/RSMAS
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Institute
of Marine Sciences
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of Rhode Island
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of Texas at Austin
University of Washington
University System of Georgia
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
AAUS Member Benefits 2003
Aquaflite Wetsuits—$10 off standard sizes, $20 off custom suits
Best Publishing—10% discount on most retail prices
Citizen Watch—HyperAqualand watches (contact Ted Maney for prices)
AAUS Publications—20% discount
Divers Alert Network (DAN)—Insurance coverage for scientific divers who are DAN members, have purchased additional member insurance coverage offered through DAN, and are diving under the auspices of an AAUS Organizational Member.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Best Publishing Company
2355 N. Steves Blvd.
PO Box 30100
Flagstaff, AZ 86003-0100
520-527-1055 fax 520-526-0370
[email protected] www.bestpub.com
Delta P Technology
PO Box 5088
Poole, Dorset, BH16 6WJ, UK
00 44 (0) 1202 624478 fax 00 44 (0) 1202 625308
www.vr3.co.uk [email protected]
14
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society
200 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 40
Westmont, IL 60559
630-986-6990 fax 630-986-8098
[email protected] www.owuscholarship.org
[email protected]
SHOW YOUR PRIDE AND COVER YOUR HIDE!
We are proud to announce that AAUS gear is now in
stock. All items carry the embroidered logo with AAUS
spelled out. For a look-see, go to www.aaus.org.
Golf Shirts
Top quality Jerzees, 100% cotton, 6.5-oz. piqué, short
sleeve. Medium through XXL: jade, maroon, navy, red.
XXXL: maroon, navy, red. Medium through XXXL–$25.
Blue Denim Shirts
Camp Creek, short and long sleeve, 100% cotton, buttondown collar, one pocket, double-needle stitching.
Medium through XXL–$25 for either sleeve length.
Relaxed-fit Baseball Caps
Tan or navy. AAUS logo on front. One size, adjustable
back-strap. $10.
Domestic shipping per item
Golf shirt–$5. Denim shirt–$6. Hats–$3. Multiple items–$6.
To purchase: send order and cash, check, money order,
or Visa info to AAUS, 430 Nahant Road, Nahant MA,
01908. Fax: 781-581-6076.
AAUS GEAR!
Guide for Contributors to THE SLATE
We need you! We cannot publish without you!
Here are some guidelines to help you prepare your contributions. Please include a by-line with your name, affiliation,
and contact info. Use the first author’s surname when naming the digital files (e.g., Smith.rtf; Smith_Fig1.tif).
MicroSoft Word is preferred, either as .rtf (Rich Text Format)
or .doc. We have PCs and Macs, so either platform is fine.
Please do not construct tables using Table Editor. We
can’t get them out, and our page layout program (Quark)
won’t accept them. Send them as separate Word files.
Please DO NOT EMBED your illustrations in the text file.
Send them as separate files, preferably as TIFFs, JPEGs, or EPSs.
For line art (i.e., black & white with no grays), a minimum resolution of 600 ppi is needed at the size you would like them
to appear. For photos, the ideal resolution is 300 pixels per inch.
Color is now very desirable for the PDF versions of THE SLATE
that will be posted on our Web site. Photos will be converted
to grayscale for the 2-color printed SLATE.
Whenever possible, please send printed copies of your
manuscript, tables, and line art figures. It shows us what any
special characters should be and allows us to scan any text
(through OCR) or figures whose files will not open.
Floppies and 100-MB Zips are still welcome. We will return
your Zip disks after copying your files. When recording your
contribution on CD, please finalize or “close” your CD. Otherwise, no one else will be able to open it. You may e-mail
files (or questions) to walt.jaap or [email protected].
Thanks! We look forward to receiving your priceless prose!
THE SLATE ADVERTISEMENT RATE SCHEDULE
The Slate is published quarterly by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences Board of Directors. The newsletter carries announcements, articles on scientific diving, research, safety, technical issue updates, and book reviews.
The current liaison is Walt Jaap. The AAUS Board of Directors reserves the right to reject advertisements on the basis
of content and appropriateness to the mission of AAUS. The appearance of an advertisement in The Slate does not
represent AAUS endorsement of equipment or the sales firm. Advertisers should include a check payable to AAUS.
DISPLAY ADS (Grayscale-adaptable text & graphics. Need not be camera-ready; see below.)
Display ad size
(in inches)
Full page (7 x 9.5)
1⁄ 2 page (horiz. 7 x 4.625; vert. 3.375 x 9.5)
1⁄4 page (horiz. 7 x 2.25; vert. 3.375 x 4.625)
1⁄ 8 page (vert. only; 3.375 x 2.25)
One issue
(US $)
Four issues
(US $)
Corporate member
1 issue
4 issues
Ad $225
prices are being revised
to reflect$200
our format
$800
$700
$125 change from tabloid
$400
$100
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to magazine.
$75
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CLASSIFIED ADS (LIMITED TO AAUS MEMBERS)
Each member is entitled to one three-line classified ad per calendar year at no charge. Additional classified ads are
$10 per three lines. Ads for sale of equipment, jobs, opportunities to dive on projects, and the like are suggested.
Please send your advertisements (including check to AAUS) for The Slate to
Walt Jaap, 273 Catalan Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33704 FAX: 727-894-6719; [email protected]
Direct questions regarding newsletter and ad production to
Llyn French, 727/896-8626 ext 1104 (FMRI–FWC); [email protected] or [email protected]
15
AAUS Board of Directors and Officers
PRESIDENT
William Dent
Diving Safety Officer
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave., PED 214
Tampa, FL 33620
813-974-5018
Fax 813-974-4979
[email protected]
STATISTICS CHAIR, WEBMASTER, &
VIRTUAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Steve Sellers
Diving Safety Officer
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
252-328-4041
Fax 252-328-4050
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Gavin Wuttken
Diving Safety Officer
Volunteer Coordinator
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
831-648-4800
Fax 831-644-7597
[email protected]
DIRECTOR & MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR
Douglas E. Kesling, BSN, DMT–A
Training and Safety Coordinator
National Undersea Research Center
Univ. of North Carolina–Wilmington
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
910-962-2445
Fax 910-962-2410
[email protected]
SECRETARY
Vallorie Hodges
Diving Safety Officer
Oregon Coast Aquarium
2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd.
Newport, OR 97365
541-867-3474 x5302
[email protected]
[email protected]
DIRECTOR & MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR
Mark Flahan
San Diego State University
College of Sciences
5500 Campanile Dr.
San Diego, CA 92182-4610
619-594-6799
Fax 619-594-7301
[email protected]
TREASURER
Ted Maney
Marine Science Center
Northeastern University
East Point, Nahant, MA 01908
781-581-7370 x332
Fax 781-581-6076
[email protected]
STANDARDS CHAIR
Samuel Sublett
Diving Safety Officer
University of Washington
Hall Her
Seattle, WA 981-95
206-543-7388
Fax 206-543-3351
[email protected]
DIRECTOR & SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR
Sherry A. Reed
Unit Dive Officer
Research Specialist
Smithsonian Marine Station
701 Seaway Dr.
Fort Pierce, FL 34949
772-465-6630 x144
Fax 772-461-8154
reed @sms.si.edu
EDITOR, THE SLATE
Walt Jaap
Florida Marine Research Institute
(Fish & Wildlife Conserv. Comm.)
100 8th Ave. SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5095
727-896-8626 x1122
Fax 727-893-1270
[email protected]
AMERICAN ACADEMY
OF UNDERWATER SCIENCES
430 Nahant Road
Nahant, MA 01908
781-581-7370 x334
Fax 781-581-6076
[email protected]
www.aaus.org
JOIN AAUS!
The American Academy of Underwater Sciences exists to promote safe and productive
underwater scientific exploration and to advance the state of underwater technology
The strength of the AAUS is its membership, those institutions and individuals that pursue
scientific objectives beneath the water surface across the North American continent
and beyond. If you are involved in scientific diving and underwater exploration, you
should be a member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences.
Join the AAUS and be a part of the scientific diving community. Learn and benefit
from communications with your counterparts across the United States. Participate in
the annual AAUS Symposium and workshops. Help create for yourself, your associates
and staff the most efficient, productive, and safe scientific diving program possible.
For membership information, contact
American Academy of Underwater Sciences
430 Nahant Road, Nahant, MA 01908
781-581-7370 ext 334
[email protected]
www.aaus.org