In the seas of the central Aleutian Islands, an expedition led by NOAA Fisheries researchers is exploring the ocean's floor using one of the world's deepest diving unmanned vehicles, a remotely operated vehicle called Jason II. The cruise, funded by the National Undersea Research Program, seeks to learn more about the Alaska's deep-sea corals. Scientists hope to use the knowledge they gain to describe the newly discovered coral resource and to create a map of coral life in the region that could help guide fishery managers who are charged with protecting such habitats. Reporter Sonya Senkowsky, who is finishing off the first of two weeks at sea with the researchers, describes a typical dive day aboard the research vessel Revelle.

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