American Samoa Deep CRES Years 1 & 2; Deployment and recovery of science equipment between 40-100m.

We are investigating American Samoa’s mesophotic coral ecosystems (40-100 meters or ~130-330 feet deep) to better understand them and their relationship to shallower reefs. Nearly 80 percent of coral reef habitat in American Samoa exists at mesophotic depths, yet these reefs remain relatively unknown. Understanding what species exist and their habitat preferences at mesophotic depths will help managers improve management of current and future marine protected areas.
This work is part of the Deep Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (Deep-CRES) Program funded by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and conducted in collaboration with the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. It is led by Anthony Montgomery, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Project partners include Ken Longenecker, Brian Greene & Richard Pyle, Bernice P. Bishop Museum; Rob Toonen, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i; Dan Barshis, Old Dominion University; and Randy Kosaki, NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Drone footage by Carlos Alberto Tramonte, all other footage by myself.
Music, "In Abundance" by Edgar Hopp, used under license from Epidemic Sound.

[@Fbrogaard]

What camera are you using? Looks splendid

[@TheDeepGreene]

@@Fbrogaard a Z Cam 6k cinema camera

[@quinnculver]

What kind of shark at 2:15?

[@TheDeepGreene]

A massive Bull shark. We saw them during a number of our bluewater decompressions.

[@quinnculver]

@@TheDeepGreene That is a fatty. Are you able to distinguish all sharks?

[@TheDeepGreene]

@@quinnculver All the species we commonly see in the Pacific, and video helps with the less common species...

[@quinnculver]

@@TheDeepGreene Lucky. I can only distinguish the obvious ones (e.g. white tips & tigers).