Elsie Gringley is a young artist living in the Cayman Islands or Bermuda from time to time. She is a talented artist and daughter of a well-known marine scientist so her knowledge of lionfish and the ocean is a big part of her art.
Dr Goodbody-Gringley is CCMI's Director of Research, heading up CCMI’s Vision 2025 Reef Resilience and Restoration Research team. Previously, Dr Goodbody-Gringley was an Assistant Scientist at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) where she led the Reef Ecology and Evolution Laboratory.
Dr Goodbody-Gringley's research focuses on population structure, reproductive ecology, and genetic connectivity of a variety of organisms that inhabit tropical coral reef ecosystems ranging from inshore shallow reefs down to the mesophotic zone, with the goal of understanding how ecosystems function in order to maintain biodiversity. To address questions related to reef health, evolution, resilience, and recovery, she combines large-scale in situ ecological surveys, small-scale laboratory experiments, and molecular ecology. Dr Goodbody-Gringley’s current projects include a collaboration with A. Trembanis from the University of Delaware using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in combination with technical diving to map deep reef systems and couple the physical environment with biological communities. She is also working with H. Putnam from the University of Rhode Island and J. Bruno from the University of North Carolina to determine thermal tolerances of corals to climate change and the capacity for corals to adapt over a single generation. In 2019, she traveled to Israel to work with T. Mass from Haifa University to explore how patterns of development differ between corals on shallow and deep reefs in the Red Sea.
Gretchen completed her BSc at the University of Georgia and her Ph.D. at Harvard University in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. She then held postdoctoral positions at Mote Marine Laboratory and University of Bologna, Italy. Gretchen has a broad background in benthic marine ecology and is particularly interested in the evolution of life history strategies and how that in turn serves to structure population dynamics and maintain genetic diversity.
Avid Lionfish Hunter! YouTuber. Fishing fanatic. Experienced Operations Superintendent in the Defense & Space industry. Skilled in Emergency Management, Personnel Management, Team Building, Weapons Training, Government, Law Enforcement, Operational Planning, and Accident Investigation.
Dr. Tiu is a Marine Science Extension Agent with the University of Florida Sea Grant. Her areas of expertise include aquaculture, technology transfer, industry development and environmental education. Signature projects include leadership of a state-wide aquaponics program and sustainable development of offshore aquaculture. She supports the Florida Micro-plastic Awareness Project and the Florida-friendly Fishing Gide programs, teaches Florida Master Naturalist courses, and promotes environmental awareness through eco-tours, museum displays, and lectures in the panhandle of Florida. In her free time, Laura loves to hang out at the beach, kayak and travel.
DeepWater Mafia was founded by a group of Christian Mississippi Divers who enjoy Spearfishing, Underwater Photography, or just going Offshore on the Gulf of Mexico. The club is governed by the DWM-9 Board of Directors and has over 100 members spread across the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Tim Shivers (The Timinator)
Born and raised in South Mississippi. Grew up fishing, crabbing, and cast netting here in Ocean Springs.
Learned to dive in 2005 but only did resort diving till I met The Pirate, Salty Bones , and Torch. They invited Shark Whisperer and I to dive with them and we were immediately OBSESSED with the sport!!!
Heath Powell
I started diving in 2002 when I graduated high school, after that my whole family got certified and we fell in love with spear fishing. Shortly after I contracted overseas and had the opportunity to dive all over the world, but our gulf waters always brought me home!
There is nothing like dropping down on an oil rig and watching the marine life. It’s a whole different world down there! Joining the Mafia has been one of the best things for me. It has giving me the opportunity to dive more than I could ever dream of.
Captain Andy Ross was raised in a military family and was fortunate enough to have lived in some pretty amazing places like the Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii. Captain Andy earned his first dive certification in Guam, and has since found his way under the waters of Honduras, Belize, Palau, Mexico, and of course the Pensacola Gulf Coast. Captain Andy’s appreciation for the underwater world eventually led him to become a divemaster, where he began learning the ins and outs of the scuba charter industry. Now a licensed captain and technical diver with thousands of dives under his belt, Captain Andy has built a reputation as an experienced charter Captain with a total commitment to the safety and comfort of his passengers.
Part Two of our continued conversation with Ocean Explorer and Submersible Pilot Scott Cassell.
Scott Cassell has had an incredible life in the ocean and continues to fight for making it a better healthier place. Learn about his submersible that we will be using to hunt lionfish at depths where diver's can't go.
13 Year Old Tony lives on Caye Caulker, Belize and helps his mom Dianny run their Lionfish Souvenirs & Adventures shop on the island. He is a remarkable young man for his age!
Sunrise Scuba is your best bet for a great scuba diving experience when visiting Caye Caulker, Belize. They are the only dive shop on the island that offers Nitrox. With their many different dive packages you are sure to find the best one while on the island.
Gerald & Sons Snorkeling is a great way to snorkel and spearfish in the waters off Caye Caulker, Belize. You won't find a better group of guides on the island because they grew up since childhood doing this.
Dianny is a marine conservationist in her home island of Caye Caulker Belize. She works hard to help keep their reefs safe and healthy by focusing on the removal of lionfish.
Lionfish Hunting with 10 Year Old Thomas in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao! Not many kids get to hunt lionfish, not to mention do it in such exotic places! Thomas went on our Lionfish Expedition to the ABC's off of Venezuela. He got to dive with the best divers on Aruba and Curacao and he did great!
We sat down with Thomas while on the cruise for this podcast and it was a fun experience. His honesty was refreshing and the trip and podcast was a great time.
Peter From Tobacco Caye Paradise Belize. If you're on Tobacco Caye and your scuba diving you're probably going to be working with Peter. He runs the diving on the island and also participated in the Tobacco Caye Lionfish Tournament. He is outgoing and has the energy to make sure every dive is a great one!
Shamika is a local Belizean who came to Tobacco Caye Marine Station to intern. She helped with the islands largest lionfish tournament ever! She helped measure, gather data, dissect lionfish and a lot more. She filled me in on some of the local cultures and ways of life in Belize and was great to hang out with for a few days!
Mark and Maaika are from Holland and we met while we were helping with a lionfish tournament on Tobacco Caye Belize. They had quite the travel adventure and were finishing it up when we met. They are a great example of someone visiting Tobacco Caye and getting involved with the Marine Station and making their trip there that much more impactful.
Taylor Worked at Tobacco Caye Marine Station in Belize for the summer. We got to work with her for the last few days of her term there. She is one of the few who make the Marine Station such a success. Her enthusiasm and dedication shows in everything she does!
Celso is with Blue Ventures Conservation in Belize. We work with Celso to help bring tools to better control the lionfish populations throughout belize.
Belize’s marine environment encompasses some of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the Caribbean Sea, including vast coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds. Blue Ventures has maintained a permanent presence in Belize since 2010, supporting diverse fisheries and conservation efforts.
They work in close partnership with the Belize Fisheries Department, MPA managers, fishing cooperatives and fishers’ associations, and championed the establishment of a national scale domestic fishery targeting the invasive lionfish. They are actively promoting community led fisheries management, building on the success of our pioneering work with management of invasive lionfish.
https://blueventures.org/where-we-work/#belize
Polly Wood From Blue Reef Island Belize. Polly Wood has been in the lionfish community for a long time and many of that time has been in Belize.
Polly runs this newly developed luxury private Caribbean island, off the coast of Belize. Get off the beaten track and experience the untouched beauty of the Belizean Barrier Reef. Spend your days fishing, diving and snorkeling. Or, relax by the pool or on our idyllic beach, with your favorite cocktail.
Book a trip for 2 people or enjoy our whole island for up to 10 people plus children. Your own personal private island playground!
If you want to vacation at one of the finest resorts in Belize then look no further! https://www.bluereefisland.com/
Intern Theresa At Tobacco Caye Marine Station in Belize. Theresa is the perfect example of someone who comes to Tobacco Caye Marine Station to help make a difference in the world. Her work is not in the marine science space but she took this working vacation to help make a difference on the reefs around Tobacco Caye.