On our last few observational and scouting dives we encountered Lionfish. Of course this is nothing new (at least since the invasion began) but our findings were intriguing. We found that every Lionfish we encountered was very small, around two to three inches in length. We...
Read MoreTISIRI’s Joe Kistel Featured As Ocean Hero
The nationally distributed Origin Magazine recently published its latest edition with an emphasis on marine conservationist. TISIRI's own director and underwater cinematographer Joe Kistel was featured as an Ocean Hero. Click on the image below to see the segment or look for a copy of Origin Magazine...
Read MoreEntangled Loggerhead Sea Turtle
8-28-15This past Sunday TISIRI's Larry Davis encountered a dead loggerhead turtle during a recreational dive off the coast of Jacksonville. Based on Larry's observations we decided to send a team back out to relocate the turtle, confirm the death was due to entanglement, and remove any entanglement...
Read MoreNational Geographic Local Lionfish Video
Florida's lionfish epidemic is getting international attention. Earlier today National Geographic published a video story featuring commentary by University of North Florida lionfish researcher Dr. Eric Johnson and lionfish footage by TISIRI's Joe Kistel. National Geographic posted the content to their FaceBook page (two different times) which...
Read MoreAn Observational Update Visit to The Southwest Florida Mohawk Reef
What a better time to to investigate the current condition of the southwest Florida Mohawk reef then on its 3rd year deployment anniversary and Independence Day holiday weekend. Take a look at the underwater video and images below to see how much of a reef the site...
Read MoreJuvenile Oyster Recruitment
Scientists have suggested that oysters are likely to have a major spawning event around April every year (Oysters in the St Johns River). During this period larvel oyster concentrations are high in the waterway and likely to attach to suitable structures should they come into contact. ...
Read MoreJohn C. Leone Reef and Statue of Jesus Placement Success (Video)
The John C. Leone reef was successfully created on Friday 12 miles off the coast of Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. Part of the reef creation process included placing a 1000 plus pound statue of Jesus on the sea floor (70 feet below). Although placing the statue was challenging, the entire deployment process went well and a new marine habitat has been created in memory of John Leone. Watch the how the statue was placed in the video below.
Read MoreJohn C. Leone Reef Deployment Preparations
6-1-15Preparations are underway to create a region of marine habitat off the coast of north Florida. By late next week the John C. Leone reef is planned to be deployed roughly 12 miles east of Ponte Vedra Beach.The reef will be constructed by placing...
Read MoreA glimpse of the most infested Lionfish regions
Notable Lionfish hunters claim the northern Gulf of Mexico contains the highest congregations of invasive Lionfish that they have encountered in all of their Lionfish hunting excursions. This past Sunday a small team investigated a specific region presumed to hold high populations. The team included TISIRI's Joe Kistel (cameraman), FWC's Alex Fogg (Lionfish harvester), and Captain Grayson Shepard (trip host, consultant, and harvester). The team visited two underwater structure sites in the northern Gulf and were astonished with what they encountered. Words can fully describe the experience but the brief video clip below paints a pretty vivid picture.
Read MoreGreat White Encounter While Lionfish Harvesting
Great white surprises diver on a safety stop in the Gulf of Mexico offshore northern Florida.
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