USGS Scientist Leads SCUBAnauts to Capitol Hill During Ocean Week


		Search all stories:

	Home \|\| Sections: Fieldwork \| Research \| Outreach \| Meetings \| Awards \| Staff & Center News \| Publications \|\| Archives

USGS Scientist Leads SCUBAnauts to Capitol Hill During Ocean Week

By Chris Moses
August 2009

in this issue:
previous story \| next story

Above: SCUBAnauts from west-central Florida pose with Robert Ballard (National Geographic Explorer in Residence; middle row, center) and Billy Causey (NOAA Superintendent of Southeast Region National Marine Sanctuaries; bottom row, center) and Judge George Hanks (nominee for National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer of the Year; bottom row, second from right). Chris Moses is at far left in second row from front. The SCUBAnauts were recognized for leadership and outreach in ocean stewardship at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Leadership Awards Dinner. [larger version]

Marine geologist Chris Moses, one of several leaders of the local SCUBAnauts International Program in west-central Florida, took a group of 22 SCUBAnauts to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 9-11, during Ocean Week. Moses is a contractor with Jacobs Technology at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) office in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he is developing a protocol to map sea-floor habitats. The SCUBAnaut International Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that trains students ranging in age from 12 to 18 to become stewards of the ocean environment and explorers of tomorrow. The rapidly growing SCUBAnauts International Program now has three chapters in Florida—in Tampa, Tarpon Springs, and Key West.

On June 9, in conjunction with Ocean Week, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation held its annual Leadership Awards Dinner, where the SCUBAnaut program was recognized for its efforts in education and ocean stewardship. The students ("nauts") met with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials such as Dan Basta (NOAA Director of National Marine Sanctuaries), as well as with Congressmen such as Representative Gene Taylor (D-Miss). The students were thrilled to be able to interact with famous ocean explorers such as Robert Ballard and Sylvia Earle (National Geographic Explorers in Residence). They also learned more about current marine research and ocean-conservation issues by participating in Capitol Hill Ocean Week scientific seminars.

For more information about Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2009, visit http://nmsfocean.org/capitol-hill-ocean-week-2009. For more information about SCUBAnauts International, visit http://www.scubanautsintl.org/.