Tampa Bay area students worked closely with scientists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) this summer to help scientists document and better understand the reproduction of staghorn coral in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Classified as federally threatened, staghorn coral reproduce only once a year, and the activity is difficult to observe because it lasts for only about 15 minutes in one evening.  Scientists had never documented the event in the Florida Keys before.

The students made numerous dives each night until the reproduction occurred, and they collected sperm and eggs released by the corals.  NOAA will use the sample to promote new coral growth and assist in recovering the species.

The students are participating through SCUBAnauts International, a nonprofit organization committed to educating 12- to 18-year-old students about the marine environment. Professional scientists and divers train SCUBAnauts students to meet the same qualifications as professional science divers. This training includes CPR, first aid, rescue diver training, oxygen administration and other skills. SCUBAnauts students have performed scientific dives in Hawaii, the Bahamas, Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys and other locations.

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Filed under: e-News, Environmental, Ocean

Tags: Environment, Ocean