Heather Spence, Marine Biologist

Did you know that perhaps the loudest sound in shallow waters is made by animals the size of your pinky finger?

Snapping shrimp have claws (which makes them look a bit like baby lobsters), but one claw is much bigger than the other. They shut or ’snap’ their big claw so quickly that it creates a vacuum bubble – the bubble bursts and produces a loud popping sound! (described by Versluis et al, 2000 in journal Science)

Next time you’re walking on a beach or a pier listen for their distinctive crackling sound!

see page on ¨Marine Life of the Mexican Caribbean¨

Seeking VIDEOGRAPHER for Marine Conservation project in Cancun Mexico

to co-produce a professional quality 5-10m narrated documentary on my collaborative research and outreach work with the Mexican National Parks, and the ecologic and economic importance of their further support.

My uses of the film will be for future grant applications, for possible educational use by the Mexican National Park Service, and in condensed format for my website.

The film will have at least four short scenes: a scenic overview of the Cancun coast with an introduction by me; an indoor interview with the head of the Park Service; scene of underwater research (optional–must have dive certification); educational outreach in classroom.

You will provide –

Videocamera suitable for shooting interviews, classrooms, and scenery

The final product: Complete, edited, color film,

by June 1 2008

I will provide –

Room and board for two weeks

Use of underwater video camera

Money for materials (to be negotiated)

Permission to use this film for any reasonable, non-commercial purposes

To Apply, Submit:

Resume including relevant skills/experience including dive certification

Proposal, including –

Possible dates for shooting on site

A brief explanation of the potential video format you will use, including the quality and versatility of your proposed methods

One sentence statement of personal objectives

A sample of previous work

2 references

E-mail to: info at heatherspence dot net

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

from the crackling of snapping shrimp, to the whistles of dolphins; from the crash of a wave on a rocky coast to underwater earthquakes, the sea is far from silent.  Humans contribute to the soundscape as well, in minor and major ways – for instance, recently there has been significant exposure to the harmful effects of SONAR on whales.

Sound in the sea is especially interesting for the very fact that it is under water, and so has different properties.  In particular, water is denser than air, so the sound pressure waves travel faster.  This is part of why when we are underwater it is difficult to localize where a sound is coming from.