TISIRI was invited to speak to FOSCI children at the 2011 Back To School Event. FOSCI directors organized this event to help the children of FOSCI get back to school on the right foot. See pictures of the event below.

TISIRI located, surveyed, and mapped the reef material on 8-4-11, exactly one week after the reef deployment.  Divers that participated in dive survey and data collection efforts included Joe Kistel, Ed Kalakauskis, Nate Tucei, Jim Davis, and Gene Langeman.

Reef material was found dispersed in a random and sporadic fashion with both densely clustered congregations as well as isolated pieces.  Several fish species were observed as well as a few mobile invertebrates.  The reef was placed well within the permitted boundaries and the maximum vertical relief from the seafloor was below 50 feet from the surface.  The reef deployment appears to meet regulatory requirements and should evolve into productive marine habitat.

WJXT’s Rebecca Barry broadcast her story about the invasion of lionfish off the Coast of North East Florida. TISIRI’s Joe Kistel is featured as well Jacksonville University’s Dr. Quint White and Capt Steve Park of the Native Diver II.

The TISIRI team visits the new Jacksonville artificial reef at the Floyds Folly exactly one week after the reef was created. Divers mapped the reef material layout, captured photos and video, and observed the overall condition of the reef. Several fish species were observed enjoying the new habit created by the reef structures. See the underwater video and pictures below of the new reef and mapping process.