Author: kshade

The Sea Fan

Sea fans is a soft coral that is found in tropical and subtropical waters around the globe. While their branches only grew to a few inches thick, the fan itself can grow to become several feet high.
Sea Fans are abundant in Belize, where Oceana & Scuba Steve took their first international trip together.

The Sea Star

Sea stars are echinoderms found in all the world’s oceans. Sea stars are incredibly diverse and many can regenerate lost limbs!
When Oceana was a child, one of her favorite things to do at aquariums was to check out the “touch tank” - her favorite thing to pick up and hold was the sea star.

The Stingray

Stingrays are cartilaginous fish that are cousins to the shark. They can be found in coastal
tropical to temperate waters around the world. Many species of stingray can be seen when
snorkeling and diving off the coast of South
Florida.
ScubaSteve is currently doing research on the
Growth and Reproduction of the Pelagic
Stingray, a species which is virtually unstudied.

The Shark

Sharks are cartilaginous fishes that can be found in around the world. With over 400 known species today, they are considered one of the oldest and most enduring groups of animals on the planet today.
Sharks are what inspired both S. Steve and
Oceana to study marine biology. Oceana was hooked after catching an airing of jaws at age five, and Scuba Steve was hooked after snorkeling with sharks in the florida keys after college graduation.

The Sawfish

Sawfish are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks and rays. They are known for their toothy rostrum, which they use to slash or dig up prey.
Oceana did her masters research on the
smalltooth sawfish, a species found in the waters of South Florida that has become endangered due to overfishing. She first gained a love for the animal while doing tagging research during an
internship with Marine laboratory in 200#.

The Lobster

Lobsters are crustaceans that can often be found hiding in crevices or under coral ledges. Caribbean Spiny Lobster are one of the most popular catches in South Florida.
Lobsters (or “bugs”, as divers call them) are one thing that ScubaSteve and Oceana see nearly every time they dive. They also love to eat them,
lobster bisque being one of Oceana’s favorite soups.

The Fish

Fish are marine organisms that have gills, scales, and paired fins. They encompass thousands of species and can be found in every type of aquatic
environment, from mountain lakes to the deep ocean abyss.
One unique feature of some fish is the choroid rete, which supplies oxygen to the retina and allows the fish to see. Oceana is currently researching this structure and how it functions, to earn her Ph.D.

The Crab

Crabs are crustaceans found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Crabs communicate with one another by waving or drumming their pinchers.
One family tradition that Oceana always loved was catching blue crab off the docks during family
vacations in the Outer Banks. Years later, one of Oceana & ScubaSteve’s favorite shows to watch
together is Deadliest Catch, which documents the lives of Alaskan crab fisherman.

The Clam

Clams are bivalves found in both fresh and
saltwater worldwide. Clams are one of the most popular seafood items for consumption.
One of ScubaSteve’s favorite foods is a good bowl of New England Clam Chowder. This is most likely a nod to his New England heritage—his father and his family are originally from Massachusetts.

The Chupacabra

Chupacabras are legendary crypids rumored to live throughout the Southern United States,
Mexico and Puerto Rico. They are known to drink the blood of livestock, especially goats, and take over cruise ships filled with tourists.
Chupacabras are often featured in cheesy killer
animal movies, one of Oceana’s favorite sources of entertainment. She once said she knew ScubaSteve was “the one”, because he put up with her lousy taste in movies and would DVR them, just for her.