Today we went on our first dive as a group. I dove on the first tank and snorkeled on the second. Afterward, we had lunch and helped out at the seal rescue hospital by observing the seal’s actions for ten minutes. Then we were briefed on what black water diving is and how to do it. Today I learned about animals called siphonophores. These tiny creatures live deep in the ocean, and exist as a group of organisms in a colony, like insects in a hive. They stack together to create a large creature. I also learned that the monk seal population in Hawaii has increased by two percent over the past five years. The monk seal is the most endangered aquatic species on earth, and thanks to the efforts of Ke Kai Ole, their population is slowly recovering. Finally, we learned about how black water diving allows people to discover completely new species due to deep dwelling fish rising to the surface at night.
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/invertebrates/giant-siphonophore
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_hms_population_threats.html
http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science/Working-with-Endangered-Species/hawaiian-monk-seals.html
