New Scientist Diver

[microbe boy]

Hello Group.

I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I'm an environmental biologist and spend a good deal of time working on topics related to the UW world. Are there any other science divers out there? I don't know any locally, but are always looking to meet new people.

Is there a section on this forum for science type discussions?

Thanks

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by microbe boy

Hello Group.

I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I'm an environmental biologist and spend a good deal of time working on topics related to the UW world. Are there any other science divers out there? I don't know any locally, but are always looking to meet new people.

Is there a section on this forum for science type discussions?

Thanks

Welcome to the board!

Your work sounds really interesting and challenging--sweet.

[WV Diver]

Welcome to the board. We do not have a science sub forum. I am in the field and do alot of diving in WV for my work. Have you been to Mt Storm?
We go there to practice and stay wet.

[doczerothree]

Weclome! You've got to share some of your stories.

[WAHMof2]

Cool profession, I'm jealous!
Welcome!

[Rick56]

Greetings,

As a biologist, I'd love to see a forum on science and reef conservation. There is a lack of awareness about the state of our oceans by the general public and divers could serve a useful function in advocating for the protection of these resources.

I don't want to highjack this thread, but if you'd like to read a well-researched but accessible account of the destruction of oceanic resources (including reefs), check out the 2007 book by Callum Roberts (The Unnatural History of the Sea). Roberts makes a compelling case for needed changes in fisheries management, including the development of a large system of marine reserves. His bottom line is that "[y]ou can have exploitation with protection, because reserves help sustain catches in surrounding fishing grounds. But you cannot have exploitation without protection, not in the long term."

I appreciate his optimism for the oceans (pessimists don't last long in the conservation field), but I also wonder if his proposals are enough to reverse the profound changes that continue to occur in the oceans. His proposals address the drastic changes in abundance and distribution of species and their habitats, but they do not address the changes in the ocean environment that are occurring because of CO2 enrichment/acidification and warming.

Other accessible books include: Carl Safina (1997) Song for the Blue Ocean, and Richard Ellis (2003) The Empty Ocean.

Whether you foresee a bright future for coral reefs or a transition into slimy rocks and jellyfish, these books are good reads.

Rick

[emcbride81]

well heeellllooooo there

[microbe boy]

Originally Posted by WV Diver

Welcome to the board. We do not have a science sub forum. I am in the field and do alot of diving in WV for my work. Have you been to Mt Storm?
We go there to practice and stay wet.

WV Diver thanks for the welcome. What kind of work are you doing in WV? Is it mussel related? I know a few people out at the USGS site in conservation.

Never been to Mt Storm. Let me know when a group is going out. I would love to try it. Heard someone mention that they've actually seen the medusa stage of fresh water jellys out there.

[microbe boy]

Rick56 - Good to see other biologists on the forum.

It might be nice to get a conservation forum going here. I'm always interested in what the average Joe is doing as a diver for the sake of the oceans. I hear plenty from other scientists I know, but not much about what the non-science diver is doing.

Oh - and just for clarification to the group. I unfortunatley don't dive for my job. Most of that is spent in a lab. All science diving I do is really for personal growth and volunteer.

[Kokomo]

Originally Posted by microbe boy

WV Diver thanks for the welcome. What kind of work are you doing in WV? Is it mussel related? I know a few people out at the USGS site in conservation.

Never been to Mt Storm. Let me know when a group is going out. I would love to try it. Heard someone mention that they've actually seen the medusa stage of fresh water jellys out there.

Hi and welcome. I'm WV's wife and he is a mussel biologist. And yes...we did see the freshwater jelly at Storm. It was quite exciting!