UCR Research Partnership
Undersea Hunter and the DeepSee submersible have enjoyed a longstanding partnership with the University of Costa Rica, and each year we donate a certain quantity of trips to UCR scientists to further their research.
Each and every recreational submarine dive we take with passengers catalogs depths, temperatures and other info at various locations. We also record videos with a laser scale, which scientists can then freeze frame by frame, zooming in to count algae, particles in the water, etc. Analyzing years of this information creates a sort of virtual mosaic of the island’s underwater topography.
Such invaluable data enables scientists to track of the health of the deep waters surrounding Cocos Island, which would otherwise never be explored by human eyes. This research has been critical in identifying “new” species previously unknown to science. For example in 2012 UCR scientists discovered a new family of soft corals they named Aquaumbridae. Its first new speices was named Aquaumbra klapferi, after Undersea Hunter co-founder Avi Klapfer.
Not only that, but each and every scuba dive performed above the Sea Hunter and Argo also contributes to a vast body of research. Every single time we hit the water, our guides take detailed biodiversity counts and estimates, recording variables like water temperature, currents and a slew of other metrics. This data has been compiled into several large-scale studies to assess the health of Cocos Island over time. (LINK TO JULIA BAUM STUDY). We are thrilled to announce that as of 2020, Undersea Hunter guests will also have the option to participate.
Community Involvment
Undersea Hunter believes in conservation through education, which is why we participate in talks and community events at schools countrywide, emphasizing the critical importance of ocean protection for kids ages 2-5th grade. For example in 2018, we were invited by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Education to speak at the Ecological Kids Camp in Puntarenas Matambu Natural Reserve. The main topic was the Tropical East Pacific marine corridor of hammerhead sharks, popularly known as the “Hammerhead Triangle”, which connects three marine worldwide heritage sites in a triangle formation: Cocos Island in Costa Rica, Malpelo in Colombia and Galapagos in Ecuador. This marine corridor also includes the coastal areas of Coiba in Panama and the Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica, which are the nurseries for hammerhead sharks, turtles and other reef sharks so vital for marine ecosystems. Our team went home with hearts full of positivity, and hope that the future of our oceans are planted on the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Recycling
Undersea Hunter has set up an incentivized system for receiving, separating and storing all forms of recyclable waste at our very own GalMar dock. What's the incentive, apart from doing the right thing? Our workers are rewarded for their diligence with the entire proceeds gained by this effort.
The process begins on our two boats where the paper, plastic, glass and aluminum are separated by the crew and brought home. Next we receive, transport and separate all of the additional refuse produced and collected by the park rangers, volunteers and academic investigators working at Cocos Island, and that refuse is also brought to our dock. Lastly, all chemicals, medicines, batteries and other tech-generated wastes are segregated and stored appropriately. Once a month, this substantial volume of material is transported by our own trucks to the proper facilities.
Food Sourcing
We are succinctly aware of our environmental impact, both on land as well as the oceans. For this reason, all of our food is carefully chosen to encourage best practices. All beef served on our vessels consists of locally-raised, grass-fed cattle from a supplier that uses no chemicals or antibiotics in their husbandry. The pork we use is also raised locally and free of chemicals and antibiotics. Where possible, our local fruits and vegetables are raised with no pesticides or chemicals, following international organic guidelines. Shrimp and fish are ??????
