Andrew Morgan, American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)

What separates a scientific diver from a recreational one? Andrew Morgan, president of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), joins The DANcast to explore the task-focused world of scientific diving. Andrew, who also serves as the marine operations and boating safety officer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, discusses how the AAUS builds consensus on safety and standards to support reciprocity between universities, government agencies, and other institutions that employ scientific divers. The conversation also highlights the crucial role aquariums play in conservation, from daily exhibit husbandry inspiring the public to active field research tackling California's kelp forest decline. AAUS is a nonprofit, self-regulating body dedicated to establishing and maintaining standards of practice for scientific diving. Learn more about the American Academy of Underwater Sciences at aaus.org. For information about the Monterey Bay Aquarium, visit montereybayaquarium.org. 0:00 Introduction 1:52 Research in Public Aquariums 6:17 Scientific Diving 8:54 Kelp Forests 12:42 AAUS Mission & Regulatory Relationships 17:27 Scientific Diving Training & Safety 21:20 Collaboration in Scientific Diving 27:05 Conclusion