MAY - SFDI Member Andy Dion, on diving the Blue Heron Bridge

Phil foster Park

Divers enter from the beach under the Blue Heron Bridge. Andy will explain the logistics.

Andy in his element.

Andy was diver certified in 1973 and currently has a Master Diver certification with SSI. He also was Master Diver Certified in 2009 with NAUI and has an AAUS Scientific Diver Certification. He volunteered as an Aquarium Diver with Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma Washington.  This work required diving in a 75 degree warm water South Pacific shark tank and a 45 degree cold water North Pacific tank, sometimes in the same evening. He has done a lot of cold water diving in the North East and North West, but is now dedicated to warm water diving. Since his camera is considered standard diving equipment, he will be presenting photos from dives at the Blue Heron Bridge.

APRIL - Rosie Moore, Manager of Citizen Science of the International SeaKeepers Society

Rosie Moore holds a BA in Environmental Science and an MS in Geosciences from FAU. With over a decade of experience in wildlife research and using geospatial technology for conservation, she specializes in studying apex predators and human-wildlife interactions. Her passion for science communication led her to a career as a television host for major networks, such as Discovery Channel and History Channel, making complex scientific topics accessible to the public. Now, as Manager of the Citizen Science Program at The International SeaKeepers Society, she combines conservation, education, and media to connect boaters with research opportunities and promote ocean science.

MARCH - Maggie Winchester-Weiler, Plastic Free Cities/Shoals Marine Laboratory

From Fear to Fascination: The Science and Conservation of Sharks

Sharks are vital to healthy ocean ecosystems, yet they face increasing challenges from human activities. The Atlantic is no exception, with fishing pressures, habitat loss, and climate change threatening their survival. Join Maggie Winchester-Weiler, Florida Conservation Program Manager for Ocean Conservancy, for an engaging dive into the biology of sharks, the physiological impacts of catch-and-release fishing, and the critical conservation efforts needed to protect these apex predators. Together, we’ll explore what divers and ocean lovers can do to ensure a thriving future for sharks in our waters.

Maggie Winchester-Weiler is a scientist and educator specializing in conservation and physiology of marine wildlife, and manages the youth empowerment and plastic reduction program, Plastic Free Cities, across Florida for Ocean Conservancy. Based in Miami, Maggie coordinates stakeholders, governments and youth to advocate policies that maintain or improve the health of the ocean and locally, Biscayne Bay. Leveraging her scientific background, she informs research and public awareness campaigns to improve water quality and reduce marine debris statewide. Maggie received her Master of Science from UMass Dartmouth, where her research focused on the physiological responses of sharks to catch-and-release fishing, and she is an Adjunct Faculty member at Shoals Marine Laboratory, where she teaches Shark Conservation and Biology.

FEBRUARY Chelsea Bennice, Florida Atlantic University’s Marine Lab Octopus Research in South Florida: Behavior, Bacteria, and Beyond!

Chelsea Bennice is a marine biologist and science communicator. Her research interests include animal behavior and ecology, with an expertise in octopus biology. She earned a B.S. from The Ohio State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. She is a research fellow at Florida Atlantic University’s Marine Lab and serves as a lead scientific diver and board member for the Scientific Diving and Boating Safety Committee. She uses innovative science tools such as a 24 hour camera, the octopus monitoring gadget (OMG), and a floating lab to aid in answering research questions. Her “octo-topics” include behavior, the skin microbiome, genetics, and morphology. Her research is highlighted in popular articles and scientific publications. Chelsea is an advocate for bridging scientists and the community. 

Her responsibilities at the FAU Marine Lab also include overseeing outreach projects and mentoring students in the Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Marine SEA Scholars (Science, Education and the Arts) program. She serves as the lead scientific advisor for the nonprofit, OctoNation®, whose mission is to inspire ocean exploration and conservation by understanding octopuses. Spending more than 1,000 hours underwater studying octopuses has earned her the nickname “OctoGirl,” a signature she uses to share her passion for octopuses and conservation on social media, podcasts, documentaries, and in recent books such as Secrets of the Octopus.