DIVE CAPTAINS’MEETING

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April 3rd, 2014

WELCOME

Introductions:

Josh Foronda – Assistant Dive Safety Officer/Aquarist

Brent Whitaker – Vice President of Biological Programs

Eric Schwaab – Senior Vice President and Chief Conservation Officer

Diver Introductions

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BLACKTIP REEF UPDATE

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BLACKTIP REEF UPDATE

• Staff Update -Jay Bradley – Curator of Fishes – Gallery Exhibits

Katie Dicioccio – Aquarist

Dan Higgins – Aquarist Aide

• Animal Updates

70 Species, 780 animals

Additional animals will be added this year – approximately 16 new species

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BLACKTIP REEF UPDATE

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Coliform Monitoring in Fish Systems: Current Practices in Public AquariaErin E. Culpepper, Leigh A. Clayton,

Catherine A. Hadfield, Jill E. Arnold, and Holly M. Bourbon

Conclusions

• Type and size of systems tested – variable -15 surveys thus far• Most systems tested – recirculating• Purpose of testing

Human and animal safety, to monitor disinfection• No standard guidelines for interpreting results –varies from State, In-

house, EPA, etc.• Corrective actions typically involve a multi-departmental response

(as does NAI)• Membrane filtration method• Total and fecal coliforms

BLACKTIP REEF UPDATE

Conclusions(Continued)

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• Confirmatory tests not typically performed• Management changes if system exceeds defined limit• No one may enter or staff with full protective equipment• Variable results for minimum number of acceptable results before normal diving/snorkeling can resume

UPCOMING TRAINING

DAN DFA Pro – First Aid for Professional Divers

• Materials are in and classes are scheduled

• 28 Classes held over 3 ½ months

• Sign up will be on Aqua Divers Website

• Mandatory for all NAI Divers to have AED/CPR and O2

• There will be on-going classes for the future

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UPCOMING TRAINING

Fill Station Operator Training

• Josh is now PSI certified.

• Classes will be held at lunch.

• October will be FSO training month.

• Classes will be held over a two week period.

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UPCOMING TRAINING

Rescue Scenarios

• In works for the fall

• Will be specific to the exhibits volunteers are diving

Reef ID Training

• Something we are exploring for the future

• Would be voluntary

• Conservation minded Citizen Science9

Overview of the Volunteer Dive Program

Pier 3 Dive Teams

• 14 Teams – 138 Divers

Dolphin Discovery Dive Teams

• 4 Teams – 27 Divers

• Able to do Shark Alley cleaning dives

• 5 Divers have transitioned to Pier 3 Teams

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ATLANTIC CORAL REEF UPDATE

• New fish!

•16 new species so far with 7 more to come.

•Some are returning like the Groupers and Neon Gobies and some are totally new like the Trumpetfish

• New Lights – Capital Project for the third quarter

•New ID labels - More animals and completely updated

•New Vacuum – Volunteer donation

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EQUIPMENT UPDATES

1. BCDs

• Tears

• Dump Valve Cords

2. Regulators

• Better descriptions of problems (locations)

3. New Fins

4. New Compressor

• Larger, more powerful than old compressor

• Installation scheduled to begin April 15

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REPAIR TAGGING

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Correct

Incorrect

CONCLUSION

Thanks!

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