Quarterly Research Newsletter July 2019

Recent Accomplishments and Upcoming Projects Searching for the Kraken

Capturing a Live Giant Squid on Camera for the First Time in US Waters
EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF THE EXUMA SOUND
This summer marks the fourth collaboration between the Cape
Eleuthera Institute and OceanX. At the end of June, the M/V Alucia
returned to the Exuma Sound, where our work in the deep waters
between Deal’s Point and Tommy Sound continued. Our main objective
of this mission was to build upon previous missions and successfully
deploy a satellite tag on a bluntnose sixgill shark from a submersible,
something we’ve attempted on two unsuccessful missions already.
On the first, we had a large male swim right in front of the sub, but it
swam too high to safely deploy a tag in the muscle. On the second, we
A bluntnose sixgill shark investigates a
submersible on the floor of the Exuma Sound during had numerous opportunities to deploy a tag and attempted to do so,
an unsuccessful tagging mission in August 2018. but the tagging devices failed to fire. The trigger mechanisms failed at
depth, and we sat in awe as a big female cruised around the sub and
numerous deep water sharks chewed on our bait. On the most recent mission, we had four attempts to tag a bluntnose sixgill. On June 18, the Cape Eleuthera Institute was part of a great moment in the history of deep sea exploration!
After three unsuccessful dives, the fourth night made history: for the first time, a deep water shark was tagged, at depth, from
a submersible. Now we anxiously await the satellite tag to transmit information that will give us insights into the lives of deep Dr. Nathan Robinson, CEI Director, and Dr. Edie Widder, Co-Founder and CEO of the Ocean Research and Conservation
water sharks. Association (ORCA), captured the first-ever footage of a live giant squid in U.S. waters. This animal, which has inspired
countless myths as the “Kraken of the deep,” has only been seen in the wild once before, seen in the wild once before, also
THE EFFECTS OF SEA CUCUMBERS ON SEA GRASS BEDS by Dr. Widder, in Japanese waters.
Over the past two months, Rachel Munger and Hannah Watkins (Simon Fraser University) and Ryan Gateman (University of
Calgary) have been studying how sea cucumber urine may be acting as a fertilizer to help seagrass grow. The two Master’s We have known that the giant squid has existed for centuries, as once or twice a year a dead carcass of one of these animals
students have surveyed the patch reefs near Rock Sound, documenting the natural state of seagrass in the area to see how it will be caught and brought to the surface in a deep-sea fishing net or found stranded on a beach somewhere around the world.
will change when the number and species of sea cucumbers on these patches is experimentally manipulated. By continuing to
However, seeing these animals alive in their natural habitat has proven
monitor these sites over the course of the summer, the sea cucumber team hopes to determine how important sea cucumbers
to be one of the biggest ecological challenges of our time. This is largely
are in maintaining seagrass and ecosystem productivity.
because giant squid live hundreds of meters below the water’s surface in
the deep ocean. Furthermore, to explore these depths, we commonly use
As sea cucumber fisheries are rapidly expanding worldwide, many ecosystems are suddenly facing the rampant loss of these
cameras with bright lights to pierce the inky darkness of the deep. Yet
fascinating and noble marine invertebrates. By understanding the role sea cucumbers play in their environment, we can better
herein lies the problem. Giant squid appear to be highly visual predators
predict the consequences of these fisheries and provide valuable information to inform sustainable management policies.
that likely see our lights long before we see them. Not knowing whether
or not these mystery lights are a potential threat, the squid likely avoid
them and remain hidden from cameras.
IUCN SHARK SPECIALIST GROUP VISITS CEI FOR
WEEK-LONG ASSESSMENT OF CARIBBEAN AND
To address this issue, Dr. Widder developed a unique camera system that
WESTERN ATLANTIC SHARKS, SKATES AND RAYS would be perfect for recording giant squid undisturbed in their natural
This June, the International Union for the Conservation of habitat. The camera system, called the MEDUSA, is fitted with a low-light
Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist camera that is able to function in the dimmest of lights. For illuminators,
Group held a week-long assessment meeting at CEI to the MEDUSA uses low-power LEDs that shine only in red, a color that
reevaluate the conservation status of sharks, rays and skates many deep-sea organisms cannot see. Lastly, the MEDUSA is fitted with
in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. The IUCN Red List an optical lure, called an eJelly, that mimics the bioluminescent display
of Threatened Species is a global database that assesses of a deep-sea jellyfish.
extinction risk to species worldwide, and the listings of species During meetings in Hallig Hall, this group
frequently precipitate regulatory changes and conservation of shark and fisheries experts discussed
various issues in shark conservation. Dr. Widder and Dr. Robinson deployed this device a total of six times in
planning in many countries. the Gulf of Mexico in June, recording about 144 hours of footage, before
Hallig House played host to shark and fisheries experts from 11 countries from Canada to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean they finally caught a glimpse of the giant squid.
and Central America for 5 days of data exploration and discussion. In total, 115 species were evaluated and published reports
will be available at IUCNRedList.org in December. The visiting team had a great time snorkeling and diving with some of the This footage is already helping to reveal countless mysteries about the The giant squid can be seen
behavior of one of the largest, yet least known, animals on this planet. checking out the MEDUSA in the
species they were assessing, and we are excited to work together again to continue pushing marine conservation forward. captured video.
 Updates from the Cape Eleuthera Island School Community Opportunities with the Cape Eleuthera Institute

Looking for opportunities to work with us? We are looking to fill

SYMPOSIUM HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT RESEARCH
As the Spring 2019 Island School semester neared its end,
students had one last, amazing opportunity to share the work that
they carried out as part of their Applied Scientific Research Class.
The Research Symposium, hosted on the Cape Eleuthera Island
School campus, welcomed guests from far and wide. Among them
were the Minister of Education, Dr. Jeffrey Lloyd, other members of
local government, local NGOs, and various community members.
The event commenced with riveting keynote speeches by Dr.
Rodney Smith, President of the University of The Bahamas, as well
as by Minister Lloyd.
The main event, a poster exhibition, engaged students and
guests in discussion and thought-provoking conversations that
highlighted not only their professionalism, but also the depth of
knowledge that they had gained in their respective projects. The
day closed with yet another wonderful keynote by Cha Boyce,
Executive Director of Friends of the Environment, and a collective
feeling of inspiration and gratitude for the work being done by our
amazing students.
a number of different positions across our organization:
• Ocean Science Research Associate
• Research Associate
• Outreach Educator
• Educational Programs Director
• Communications and Marketing Manager
• Sustainability Teacher- Renewable Energy
• Solar Photovoltaic Project Manager
• Food Security Manager
We also have internship opportunities for those interested
in ocean science, engineering, communications, outreach,
sustainable systems and more.
For more information, visit our website.
Recent Publications
Orrell, D, Schneider, EVC, Eisenbach, O, Garg, A, Bigelow, B, Hauptman, H, O’Shea, O, McGaw, IJ, Van Leeuwen, TE. 2019. Evaluation
of stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) fisheries practices using simulated fishery scenarios in the laboratory. Caribbean Naturalist 63: 1-17.

Queiroz, N., Brooks, A., Brooks, EJ, et al. 2019. Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries. Nature.

YOUNG MEN’S LEADERSHIP ANNUAL

For a more complete list of our publications please check out our website!
RETREAT RETURNS TO CAMPUS

The annual Young Men’s Leadership Program retreat was held on

the Cape Eleuthera Island School campus this June. The young
men who participated in the program spent five days in the Island Our Team
School community and learned about different career paths from
CEIS employees. The focus of this retreat was to assist these young
men in developing awareness of various careers and types of jobs
available at The Island School and beyond.

Through seminars and lectures, the group learned about

Participants
communications careers, sustainability jobs and work in the scuba
diving industry. After completing a scuba discovery activity, many of Nathan Robinson, PhD. Nick Higgs, PhD. Edd Brooks, PhD. Valeria Pizarro, Ph.D. Brendan Talwar, MSc.
the young men chose to pursue their open water certification, which
they aim to complete before the upcoming school year begins.

The young men also participated in team bonding activities

that focused on conflict resolution as well as developing grit
and resilience through facing their fears. Overall, the young men
expressed newfound interest in various careers to which they were
exposed and learned more about during the retreat, and future Participants were challenged mentally, Alex Smith, MSc. Candace Fields
Eric Schneider, MSc. Candice Brittain
programming will seek to encourage and nurture these interests. physically and emotionally throughout the
camp.