A note from your trip leader

As Shedd works to protect biodiversity and promote a world thriving with aquatic life, we hope you will join us in collecting information needed to increase protections for vulnerable species and ecosystems. This work leverages our relationship with local academic partners and is requested by government management agencies, so your participation will make an authentic contribution to species conservation.

During this expedition, we will travel to remote locations rarely visited by people and participate in hands-on conch surveys. In addition to assisting with research, this area has some surprising historical gems including Fort Jefferson. The mix of exquisite nature and history is why the Dry Tortugas is considered among the top 10 least-visited national parks that need to be seen. Expect to work hard, dive plenty, and of course, have fun in this beautiful and remote destination. We hope you will join us.

Sincerely,

Andy Kough, Ph.D.

Highlights 

• Live aboard Shedd’s research vessel, the R/V Coral Reef II, and experience life at sea diving and conducting hands-on data collection like a marine biologist 
• Spend the week in the uninhabited islands known as the Dry Tortugas, 70 miles south of Key West, conducting first-of-its-kind research on queen conch
• Explore the 67,000 acres of underwater coral reefs and seagrass beds in the crystal-clear blue waters of these marine protected isles
• Tour the historic Fort Jefferson, a six-sided fortress constructed of 16 million handmade red bricks, on the 1% of dry land that makes up the Dry Tortugas
• SCUBA dive to conduct conch surveys during the day and lobster assessments at night, with opportunities for other fun dives.

Contribute to a landmark survey

Queen conch are large marine snails that serve important ecological roles in seagrass communities. They are also culturally important in Florida and throughout the wider Caribbean because they have been harvested for centuries and are woven into the fabric of those societies.

Their significance is evidenced by the tongue-in-cheek and affectionate name of Key West as the Conch Republic. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the self-proclaimed Conch Republic and we will celebrate by performing the first large-scale survey of queen conch in Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park. The data collected will be invaluable for managing and preserving this important species.

In Florida, queen conch were overfished to near extinction. Now, even after decades of protection, few breeding populations remain. The Dry Tortugas National Park is a pristine marine protected area (MPA) that offers excellent queen conch habitat and hope for their survival.

Our survey will be the first dedicated to queen conch abundance and genetic connectivity in this marine reserve. The data collected during this expedition will inform conservation management and offer support for the park to remain a self-sustaining marine reserve by replenishing the next generation of queen conch through “larval transport.” This is the process when drifting baby conch, called larvae, travel from conch breeding grounds inside the protected area to repopulate elsewhere in the Florida Keys. During this trip, we will discover where the conch are breeding so that we can estimate where their larvae would settle and grow into baby conch.

When is this trip?

Wednesday, August 17 — Friday, August 26, 2022

Expedition Itinerary  

Wednesday, August 17

Fly independently to Miami, Florida where you will board Shedd’s 80-foot research vessel and get settled in for a week at sea aboard R/V Coral Reef II. We will enjoy dinner in Miami before settling in for the night aboard the boat.

Thursday, August 18

Once you have been briefed on the boat, we will cruise down the Miami River and out to sea, stopping along the way to do a checkout dive, snorkel on one of our conch research sites, and learn how their shells can teach us about their ecology. We will then dive in a marine protected area in the upper keys to observe reefs and restoration efforts. We will anchor for the night north of Key West.

Friday, August 19

We will continue our cruise past Key West on our way to the Dry Tortugas, stopping along the way to enjoy leisure dives before our work begins the next day.

Saturday, August 20

We will start the morning with a tour of Fort Jefferson and learn about the history and habitats of the Dry Tortugas. After lunch, Dr. Kough will teach everyone about the conch survey techniques we will be using throughout the expedition with time for our first few survey dives in the afternoon.

Saturday, August 20 - Wednesday, August 24

Typical days aboard the R/V Coral Reef II begin around 7 a.m. Excellent meals prepared by our chef are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and snacks are always available. After enjoying breakfast, the group will receive assignments for the daily research activities and set off to measure conch, search for lobster or explore the ocean bottom to document other invertebrate life. After two dives each morning, we will discuss our activities in the air-conditioned salon while eating lunch and taking a break from the sun. We will rotate activities for the afternoon so that everyone gets to assist with each project and self-select the activity that you most enjoy. Over the next several days, the team will be able to assist with as many research surveys as you choose with ample opportunities to dive in the morning, afternoon, and sometimes after dinner! Our research sites will typically be shallow (< 45 feet) and occupy a range of habitats from pristine reef to sandy seagrass. Queen conch survey dives run from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of animals that we find. When we find animals, we will measure their shell while underwater to determine size and age and then leave them happily munching on algae and relatively undisturbed.

Over the course of these five research days, we will find time to visit and tour Fort Jefferson and learn about the history and habitats of the Dry Tortugas. Fort Jefferson is a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. It is the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas, and is composed of over 16 million bricks.

Thursday, August 25

We will spend the morning doing a few final dives in the Dry Tortugas before cruising back to Key West where we celebrate our hard work on the expedition with a farewell dinner and final night on board the R/V Coral Reef II. If lucky, we may even get the chance to participate in a Conch Republic anniversary celebration.

Friday, August 26

After saying goodbyes in the early morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Note: Weather conditions will dictate where we can go, so plan for a fluid itinerary. Each day the crew will advise on the best route and schedule for the day. Flexibility and good humor are necessary for an enjoyable trip.

Program fees

The per-person fee for the queen conch research expedition is $4,500 (nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 due at registration).

Accommodations

Shedd Aquarium’s research vessel, the R/V Coral Reef II, will act as our primary base of operations and our home during the entire trip. It is equipped with the comforts necessary to make such a trip enjoyable. Cabins and heads (marine toilets) are shared, with two single-bed bunks in each stateroom. In addition, the boat is air-conditioned and has its own freshwater system, with plenty of hot water for showering. Regular 110-volt service is always available. Please note that Wi-Fi connectivity is not available, although there will be a satellite phone in case of emergencies, and cell roaming is possible when close to the islands.

Meals aboard the boat are planned and prepared by our chef. The boat is fully provisioned in Miami and carries enough stores to last several weeks at sea. Hot and cold breakfast is offered between 7 and 8 a.m. A buffet lunch is served around noon, and family-style dinners are served around 7:30 p.m. Special dietary needs can usually be met with advance notice. Alcohol will not be provided so please bring your own if you want to drink. Please note that the consumption of alcohol will be limited in the interest of safety.

Participant qualifications

The qualified participant will possess the enthusiasm and stamina that it takes to make such an adventure enjoyable and rewarding. Research experience is not necessary; we will provide the “know-how.” A certification of Open Water Scuba Diver or higher (with at least 30 hours of documented diving experience) is required, along with a medical history form including a doctor’s approval. CPR and O2 certifications will be required to participate as a safety observer. Finally, a short summary of your diving experience as well as any related experience and/or special skills that can be applied toward the success of this expedition will be requested from all applicants before consideration. (See attached form.)

As a participant, you are a vital part of this expedition. The work is challenging, but you’ll be amazed at how much you learn. Of course, the personal discretion of each participant will determine how involved they would like to become in the research activities. We are, however, in need of motivated people who are not afraid of exciting challenges and adventure in an exotic work environment.

The environment

We will be working in Dry Tortugas National Park, a marine protected area 70 miles south of Key West in Florida. Because so many of our activities depend on weather conditions, flexibility is key to getting the most from this expedition. Although the expedition will be structured, all activities will be dependent on Mother Nature and subject to change.

Safety

As with all our operations, safety is the first priority when planning any activities, work or play. We follow a strict set of protocols and are proud of our outstanding safety record. Dr. Kough, Captain Zoltan Bobick and a dedicated dive safety officer on board will provide a thorough briefing of the work and methods you will be assisting in at the onset of the trip, as well as safety rules to follow throughout.

Will there be time for fun?

Yes! Although conch research is our primary objective, we do allot time for fun dives, cultural activities, great snorkeling, and spending time with good company on board the Coral Reef II. The upper deck of the boat has plenty of space for sunbathing or reading, and benches along each side of the main deck provide the best seat in the house for enjoying the tranquil beauty of the Dry Tortugas.

Getting there and getting home

You will need to make your own travel arrangements to Miami, Florida and from Key West, FL. We recommend arriving in Miami between 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17. Please book your return flight out of Key West anytime on Friday, August 26. You will depart the boat before 9 a.m. Because many airfares are nonrefundable, please confirm with us before finalizing your plans.

Cancellations

Travelers are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance. All deposits are nonrefundable. Deposits for space allotments are nontransferable. If cancellation occurs within the 60-day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately. Prices quoted are based on group participation; no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate. It is understood that refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the expedition for any reason whatsoever. We also strongly suggest travel insurance for your protection in case you are unable to join the trip for personal or medical reasons. Many companies offer travel insurance online.

Registration

To register for this expedition, please complete and return this application to Shannon Fuller, [email protected] or 312-692-2716. Space is limited, and the trip will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

IMPORTANT! Please include a brief summary of related skills and your experience as a diver with your application.

Please fill out this form.

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