April 2025 Speaker

It Came from the Muck: Indonesia's Lembeh Straight

For some divers, travelling half-way around the world is only worth it if there are big animals, fabulous coral reefs or spectacular shipwrecks to explore. But Indonesia's Lembeh straight, between Lembeh Island and the mainland of North Sulawesi, is a world away from home and presents a completely different type of experience. Here, divers explore a sandy, silty, muck bottom to search for the tiniest of creatures. Garishly colored Nudibranchs, myriad species of shrimp, and other invertebrates unique to these waters beckon divers from all around the world to come and find what lies lurking in the muck! Join Eco-Photo Explorers as they search for Pygmy Sea Horses, Dwarf Frogfish, tiny Cuttlefish and numerous other surprises in these fascinating waters. Along the way, experience the mating of the gaudy but shy Mandarinfish and uncover the secrets of Lembeh at night. This program will also detail the travel logistics necessary to maximize your experience in Indonesia.

Michael Salvarezza and Christopher Weaver have been diving the waters the world since 1978.  They have presented their work numerous times at Beneath the Sea, and all of the major dive conferences, and have published more than 225 articles in numerous magazines, including National Geographic Adventure. Their work has been used to support a variety of research and educational programs. Their expeditions have taken them from the Arctic to the Antarctic and many places in between.