Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2013

Over the past few days I have had the chance to participate in Capital Hill Ocean Week(CHOW) in our nation's capital Washington D.C. CHOW provides me with an opportunity to meet and interview members of the House of Representatives and Senate, Administrators of NOAA, NOAA scientists, and other people belonging to corporations that are affiliated with protecting our oceans. In my opinion this is a privilege that I can only have access to through SCUBAnauts International. SCUBAnauts has allowed me to participate in these activities which I highly enjoy and look forward to every year. The highlight of my trip was meeting with Congresswoman Kathy Castor of Florida, Congressman Don Young of Alaska, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. I really enjoy getting to hear their own opinions of protecting the ocean and what they have to say about what we do as SCUBAnauts.  Additionally,  meeting with NOAA scientists, and hearing their advice on my research project helps me plan my future research.

-Cole W. Kolasa, Tarpon Springs SCUBAnaut

Cole Kolasa checking out one of the sea turtles
on reef off the coast of Tarpon Springs