Scientific Diving Success Story: Mike Bollinger

Mike Bollinger, M.S., Biology 2015, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, worked on a project funded by the Artificial Reef Program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The project team monitors artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas coast. Mike completed quarterly surveys of four south Texas artificial reefs, each of which involved two dives to complete a general fish survey of the reef site. Specifically, Mike compared SCUBA-based versus side scan sonar survey methods for estimating fish biomass. Each of the artificial reef sites requires a different set of dive skills. All of the sites can have a range of visibilities from low (1-3’) to high (40’+), and the weather in the Gulf is highly variable and has a strong influence on visibility and currents. Currents can often be very strong and make the work more difficult.

Mike stated that “The Penn State Science Diving program prepared me very well for this position. Within my first week in South Texas, I was trusted with doing underwater surveys because of the skill set that was ingrained in me in the quarries of PA. I was one of the more diving experienced graduate students and I was expected to take on more of a leadership role on the boat. The University of Texas at Brownsville’s diving program is certainly growing, and I am happy to be a part of the work that is being done down here.”

Mike finished his Masters thesis in December 2015 where he wrote a methodology to sample fish abundance and biomass using low cost side scan sonar technology.  His thesis found that this side scan sonar methodology counted a higher abundance of fish on reef structures than scuba surveys of the same reef structures and he was able to calculate biomass estimates for each of these reef structures. More information on the project and results can be found at:  http://mbollinger89.wix.com/eportfolio#!fish-surveys-with-side-scan-sonar/c3t(link is external)

Mike is currently working as a Divemaster in Marathon, Florida.

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Mike completes a fish survey at an oil rig site in the western Gulf of Mexico.

 

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Mike and his buddy deploy data loggers at an oil rig site in the western Gulf of Mexico.

 

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Mike surrounded by a school of Jack Crevalles while diving in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. This picture was taken at about 90 feet water depth.

 

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Mike pictured with one of his favorites: a squirrel fish. This photo was taken at about 70 feet under clear and comfortable conditions.

 

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Mike pictured on a mooring line at a safety stop. Currents in the upper part of the water column were quite swift on this dive, so to avoid getting swept away from the boat surfacing and safety-stopping on the line was ideal.

 

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Mike retrieving a side scan sonar towfish in the lower Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Port Mansfield, TX. Sonar is often the only way to sample when visibility is poor due to phytoplankton blooms or suspended sediment.