Fish hut - The McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory!

A diver and a Weddell seal ©2017-2019 Paul A. Cziko, image from Henry Keiser

We had the chance to help the divers working under the sea ice in 29 degree F water for the McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory. They shared their diving experience with us and their amazing diving footage after we assisted. Why is this a great experience for us? Other than seeing some really cool things, very importantly: Emperor penguins eat things that are underwater, including fish, krill, and even squid. It was fascinating to see the under-ice environment where our study species hunts for their lunch.

©2017-2019 Paul A. Cziko, image from Henry Keiser

©2017-2019 Paul A. Cziko, image from Henry Keiser

The McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory - the MOO - was conceived in order to provide researchers with real-time, high-quality scientific data of ocean conditions under the solid sea ice cover of Antarctica's frigid Southern Ocean. It was installed by scientific divers and other personnel in late 2017, seventy-feet (21m) below the surface of McMurdo Sound in the southwestern Ross Sea, Antarctica. 

The installation consists of a live-streaming HD video camera that can point and zoom in all directions, a high-definition underwater microphone, and sensitive sensors that measure basic ocean conditions such as temperature, salinity and tides.

©2017-2019 Paul A. Cziko, image from Henry Keiser

The primary purpose of the McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory is to support studies on the freezing-avoidance abilities of Antarctic notothenioid fishes. The 130 species of this group live almost exclusively in the coldest and iciest waters of Antarctica's Southern Ocean. While your everyday fish would freeze solid almost instantly under these conditions, notothenioids possess special antifreeze proteins in their blood and other body fluids that protect them from freezing to death in icy waters.

Lisa and Henry getting prepared to dive

Henry coming back to the surface

The fish hut!