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MarineBio conducts expeditions to worldwide centers of marine biodiversity for the purpose of collecting photographs and video concerning the conditions of marine ecosystems and the associated marine life. We also often contact local conservation groups, talk with locals about the marine life and how things have been changing. MarineBio also uses expeditions to assist with the planning that has begun to open a network of various marine conservation labs in various hotspots to help monitor and conduct research concerning marine conservation science.
What we're finding, like so many others, is that even in the best places to see marine wildlife, the ocean's ecosystems and marine life are at risk and are declining throughout the world. We also hope that by showing what does remain at these top destinations that more people will visit them as well and see for themselves what's at stake if we continue to abuse the ocean as we have been doing for so long.
Upcoming Expeditions
MarineBio has teamed up with Save Our Leatherbacks Operation (SOLO) to conduct expeditions to Irian Jaya, Indonesia where the critically endangered U.S. West Coast Pacific leatherback sea turtles go to nest and lay eggs. These magnificent sea turtles are part of the last remaining leatherbacks in the entire Pacific Ocean. SOLO runs incredible expeditions to this remote area to bring the locals much needed supplies and the support they need to be effective stewards of the nesting beaches of the Pacific leatherback. We will also help with nest counts and document mother leatherbacks and babies nesting and returning to the sea.
The other 8 days will be spent diving on some of the most remote and undocumented reefs in the world aboard the M.V.S. RAJA AMPAT, a fully-equipped liveaboard set up specifically for divers and snorkelers.
SOLO is currently offering 2 expeditions in 2008 of 11 nights and 10 days each and we hope to be bring members on both expeditions. Each expedition will include day and night visits to the leatherback nesting areas as well as diving on WW II aircraft in some of the most remote, exotic, and biologically diverse dive spots in the world, including the fabled Raja Ampats and Kawe located right on the equator.
MarineBio is seeking donations to help fund these expeditions (select MarineBio Expeditions under how we should use your donation). We are also hoping for an in-kind donation of the following equipment so that we can document the turtles nesting and the underwater marine life of the region:
Underwater housing for a Canon Rebel XTi
Sony HDR-HC7 video camera
Gates housing for the Sony HDR-HC7
Airfare or miles - Houston, TX to/from Sorong, Indonesia
Donors will be acknowledged as "Expedition Sponsors" on all expedition video, galleries, and reports. Our mailing address is on our Contact page.
The cost per person is $2,600* and includes all boat costs except tips. International and local airfare is not included. These low expedition prices are only available through SOLO. *Because you are participating in the work of this 501(c) (3) tax exempt Foundation, all expedition fees, airfare, hotels, and meals are 100% tax deductible.
Contact SOLO (tell Larry we sent you) or find out more at SOLO's Expeditions page at http://saveourleatherbacks.org/expeditions.html - berths are filling up fast so reserve your spot soon.
If you're a MarineBio member and would like to go, contact David Campbell (MarineBio Expeditions Leader) at David@marinebio.org or ++1 713-248-2576 CST.
Future Expeditions:
The following are expedition destinations we would like to visit as soon as possible. If you would like to help arrange an expedition to any of the following, let us know.
USA: Southern Florida (Dry Tortugas*), Channel Islands off California, Hawaii (far NW islands)
Bahamas* - Tiger shark diving with Sharkdiver.com
Guadalupe Islands* - Great white shark diving with Sharkdiver.com
Mexico (Sea of Cortez) - Humboldt squid diving with Sharkdiver.com
Costa Rica: Cocos Island*
Colombia: Malpelo Island
Tahiti (Rangiroa)
Fiji
Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA)
Australia: Great Barrier Reef outer reefs and Coral Sea islands
Micronesia: Palau*, Yap*, Chuuk (Truk Lagoon)
Solomon Islands/Papua New Guinea
Indonesia: Togean Islands, Banda Islands/Irian Jaya, Komodo Island, Bali
Malaysia: Sipadan, Mabul, Layang Layang
Thailand: Puket, Similan Islands
Maldives
Seychelles
Mozambique: Bazaruto Archipelago
Red Sea: Brother's Islands, Sharm el-Sheikh, Ras Mohammed, Dahab, etc.
One of our goals is to also document the condition of the reefs in the above areas to compare to historical records and to serve as a snapshot for the future. And time is of the essence, climate change is in progress and many of the above will become worthless destinations for marine life if things continue as they are.
The following is recommended for all MarineBio team members on expeditions:
- 18 years of age or older
- Advanced scuba certification (Rescue diving is highly recommended)
- At least some traveling experience (overseas preferred)
- Skills involving photography, videography, writing, research and/or computers
- Relaxed demeanor, easy to get along with
- Willingness to work as a team toward the expedition's goals
- All team members pay their own way, we often work together to find the best deals...
If you're interested in joining one of our upcoming expeditions, send us an email and let us know.
Former Expeditions Log
Indonesia Expedition (August 28-September 14, 2006 - see gallery)
Lembeh Strait/Bunaken Marine Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia. 33 dives (~32 hours underwater) at 30 dive locations (23.5 m average max depth, water temp. 25-29°C). ~6 hrs video + ~2,000 photos.... Plankton Forums Discussion/Report: http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=3101
Honduras Expedition (August 27-September 10, 2005 - see gallery)
36 Nitrox dives at 32 dive locations. 2,700 photos.... Plankton Forums Discussion/Report: http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=1083
Florida Expedition (February 9-21, 2005 - see gallery)
10 Nitrox dives out of Boynton Beach, Florida and 10 dives out of Key Largo, Florida. 1,200 photos.... Plankton Forums Discussion: http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=423
Bonaire Expedition (August 6-22, 2004 - see gallery)
38 Nitrox dives at 27 dive locations. 1,400 photos.... Plankton Forums Discussion: http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=422
Galapagos Expedition (November 8-17, 2002 - see movie downloads)
Nine days on liveaboard M/Y Reina Silvia, 8 hours uw video of octopus, fishes, sharks, dolphins, sea lions, marine iguanas, boobies, etc.
Red Sea Expedition (July 4-20, 2002 - see movie downloads)
One week on liveaboard M/V Coral Princess off southern Egypt, St. John's Reef/Brother's Islands, etc. 18 hours of uw video of reefs, corals, reef fishes, sea turtles, sharks, etc. One week shorediving along Dahab coast (Sinai). 7 hours uw video of reefs, corals, reefs, reef fishes, sea turtles, octopuses, etc.
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