08/11/2026
Damaris, a aquarist, recently was able to join the team as they headed offshore aboard research vessel, R/V Manta.
Her expedition included an expert team of staff and reciprocity divers who were able to perform some much needed repairs and replacements to the fleet of mooring buoys within the sanctuary. Over the 4 days, the group was able to complete a total of 97 dives successfully installing 3 new u-bolt anchors and deploying 3 new mooring buoys! ⛴️
Anchoring is prohibited within the sanctuary to protect its fragile coral reefs, making these mooring buoys essential for providing safe vessel access while helping preserve one of the Gulf of Mexico's most vibrant marine ecosystems! 🪸
We're proud of Damaris and all the hard work across team collaborations to conserve our ocean for generations to come! 💙