Post by Steve Bailey
5:15 AM The humid fragrant Fijian air hits this weary band of divers, now emerging from Air Pacific's 747 Island of Vanua Levu. The simple beauty of the rising sun silhouetting distant volcanic peaks helps us forget about the not-so-restful, 11-hour, overnight flight from Los Angeles. Ahhhh, we're back in paradise.
Those of us who've been on Monterey Bay Aquarium/New England Aquarium Fiji Expeditions on four previous occasions now feel the excitement building. Soon we'll be boarding our impressively outfitted and capable home for 10 days, the 124-foot motorsailer Nai'a. Old, reacquainted friends explain to the 'Fiji freshmen' that within eight hours they will be diving on some of the finest reefs in the world.
The freshmen will be diving with people dedicated a diversity of projects and interests. On this trip, aquarium marine biologists, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Dr. Steve Webster and New England Aquarium Curator of Fishes Steve Bailey, are assessing reef health, tracking changes to diversity and abundance, and as always, having an eye peeled for new species of critters. Keith Ellenbogen, Parsons School of Design photography professor, will be connecting his students back home in New York with the biology and art of Fijian reefs through innovative video/photographic approaches to interpreting life in this incredible habitat.
New subsurface gear will receive important field-testing by Senior Engineer John Larkin of Light & Motion, a California based manufacturer of underwater lighting and camera equipment. Past participants have included scientists such as noted reef fishes expert Dr. G.R. Allen of Conservation International and New England Aquarium Vice President of Global Marine Programs Dr. Greg Stone, as well as proficient filmmakers, photographers, authors and artists.
How do we attract people to these cruises? For one thing, we relentlessly sing the praises of this archipelago's astonishing, aquatic diversity. Our mission is to entice people who can help conserve Fijian waters, mainly by spending their diving dollars in Fiji while observing, learning, and sharing their experiences with others.
10:00 PM A marathonesque but productive and rewarding day is drawing to a close. Most have long since retired to their staterooms and are preparing for a full day tomorrow of exploring the reefs.
-Bailey
Global Explorers Blog
Saturday, February 28, 2009
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Join these explorers from the New England Aquarium as they travel around the blue planet.
Dr. Salvatore Cerchio is a marine mammal biologist who has studied free ranging populations of cetaceans around the world for more than 30 years. He is currently a Visiting Scientist at the New England Aquarium. In November 2015, he traveled to Madagascar to study Omura's whales.
Brian Skerry is the Aquarium's Explorer in Residence and an award-winning National Geographic Magazine photographer who specializes in marine wildlife subjects and stories about the underwater world.
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Salvatore Cerchio, PhD
Click to display Sal's posts.Dr. Salvatore Cerchio is a marine mammal biologist who has studied free ranging populations of cetaceans around the world for more than 30 years. He is currently a Visiting Scientist at the New England Aquarium. In November 2015, he traveled to Madagascar to study Omura's whales.
Brian Skerry
Click to display Brian's posts.Brian Skerry is the Aquarium's Explorer in Residence and an award-winning National Geographic Magazine photographer who specializes in marine wildlife subjects and stories about the underwater world.
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Belize 2015
China 2015
Bahamas Spring 2015
Bahamas Fall 2014
Bahamas Spring 2014
New England Cod Research 2013
Fiji 2013
Belize 2013
Antarctica 2013
Pacific Garbage Patch 2012
Belize 2012
China 2012
Brazil 2012
Fiji 2012
Costa Rica 2012
Ocean Health Index Expedition 2012
South Africa 2011
Montreal Biodome 2011
Schooner Adventure Camp 2011
Alaska 2011
Bahamas 2011
Dominica 2011
Totoya Islands, Fiji, 2011
Belize 2011
Fiji 2011
Indonesia 2011
Saudi Arabia 2011
Panama 2011
Fiji 2010
Delaware 2010
Bahamas 2010
Belize 2010
Antarctica 2010
Saudi Arabia 2010
South Africa 2010
Dominica 2010
South Australia 2009
Fiji 2009
Sea of Cortez 2008
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