Local Science

SCUBAnauts Tampa Bay (SNI-TB) is fortunate to have several marine science research institutions centrally located. Many of the science leadership volunteers from these places, which include:

• University of South Florida, College of Marine Science
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
• United States Geological Survey
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Because of this support, we are able to do amazing science projects in our own backyard, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. We hold monthly ‘Dry Meetings’ that cover a range of science topics, from coral reefs to ichthyology to remote sensing. We also participate in a number of ‘Wet Meetings’ that include SCUBA diving locally. Below is a sample of some of the ongoing projects we are involved in.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

As part of the NASA grant to SCUBAnauts International, SNI-TB performs monthly science dives in Tampa Bay. The basis for these dives is to acquire data on the spectra (color) of the water and the benthic (bottom) habitats. We use an underwater spectrometer to measure light above and below the water’s surface. These data are then provided to research scientists at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science to aid in calibrating and validating ocean color satellites operated by NASA. During these dives we also acquire environmental data (e.g., sea-surface temperature, bottom temperature and water clarity) and benthic cover data (e.g, what is living on the bottom).

Gulfstream Natural Gas System (GNGS)

GNGS is provides natural gas to Florida via an undersea pipeline. They have been a long supporter of the SCUBAnauts. SNI-TB performs routine science dives in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to monitor mitigation sites placed by GNGS. The mitigation sites are man-made hardbottom communities designed to attract different flora and fauna (plants and animals) to them. The information we collect includes; environmental data (e.g., air temperature, wave height and cloud cover), fish survey data (e.g, species and size) and macroinvertebrate survey data (e.g., genera and abundance).

Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

As the SNI-TB Chief Scientist is a Research Scientist at FWRI, several chances to collaborate exist. Most recently, we performed seagrass prop scar (where seagrass scars have been torn-up due to boat propellers) surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. The prop scars were first detected and aerial photographs acquired during a joint project between FWRI and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). SNI-TB have also been acquiring coral patch reef data in an ongoing FWRI project during the summer expeditions to the Florida Keys.

Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)

FPAN is a state agency directed to lead public outreach for Florida’s extensive cultural artifacts. The West Central Region of FPAN is based in Tampa at the University of South Florida. SNI-TB and FPAN have begun to work together to catalog, explore and conserve some unique marine archaeology sites. FPAN provides a 3-day training on the underwater science of marine archaeology for SNI-TB, after which we expect the SCUBAnauts to research local ship wrecks and compile a detailed blueprint and history of the vessel.