Sonia J Rowley
@soniajrowley.bsky.social
Scientist•Gorgonian Evolution•Explorer
Rebreather•Freediver🧜♀️
@soest_uh @smithsoniannmnh
@natural_history_museum
@linneansociety @the_explorers_club
www.soniajrowley.com
Rebreather•Freediver🧜♀️
@soest_uh @smithsoniannmnh
@natural_history_museum
@linneansociety @the_explorers_club
www.soniajrowley.com
Pinned
Sonia J Rowley
@soniajrowley.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Mesophotic life 🪸
1st shot is unedited & an example of the weird 😵💫 response of the camera 📷 when taking it beyond the depth rating of the housing 😇
The rest are random research & deco snaps whilst processing expedition image data 📈 🤓
#gorgonian #mesophotic #cowrie #crinoid #rebreather #fsm
1st shot is unedited & an example of the weird 😵💫 response of the camera 📷 when taking it beyond the depth rating of the housing 😇
The rest are random research & deco snaps whilst processing expedition image data 📈 🤓
#gorgonian #mesophotic #cowrie #crinoid #rebreather #fsm
Mele Kalikimaka 🎄🪱🪸
Spirobranchus spp., the Xmas tree worm 🪱 & my undergraduate thesis moons 🌒 ago with @martinattrill.bsky.social Looking forward to finally seeing this work published 🤓 in due course.
Enjoy a snapshot from the fruits of hours on the rebreather
#spirobranchus #christmas
Spirobranchus spp., the Xmas tree worm 🪱 & my undergraduate thesis moons 🌒 ago with @martinattrill.bsky.social Looking forward to finally seeing this work published 🤓 in due course.
Enjoy a snapshot from the fruits of hours on the rebreather
#spirobranchus #christmas
December 25, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Mele Kalikimaka 🎄🪱🪸
Spirobranchus spp., the Xmas tree worm 🪱 & my undergraduate thesis moons 🌒 ago with @martinattrill.bsky.social Looking forward to finally seeing this work published 🤓 in due course.
Enjoy a snapshot from the fruits of hours on the rebreather
#spirobranchus #christmas
Spirobranchus spp., the Xmas tree worm 🪱 & my undergraduate thesis moons 🌒 ago with @martinattrill.bsky.social Looking forward to finally seeing this work published 🤓 in due course.
Enjoy a snapshot from the fruits of hours on the rebreather
#spirobranchus #christmas
Gorgonians 🪸 of the mesophotic depths of Pohnpei, FSM 🇫🇲 This year at 78-100m/256-328 ft depth, increases in mean temperature & an invasive sponge have taken hold on Annella Gray, 1858. This illustrates the importance of comprehensive time-series datasets over depth & scale. #gorgonian #mesophotic
December 18, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Gorgonians 🪸 of the mesophotic depths of Pohnpei, FSM 🇫🇲 This year at 78-100m/256-328 ft depth, increases in mean temperature & an invasive sponge have taken hold on Annella Gray, 1858. This illustrates the importance of comprehensive time-series datasets over depth & scale. #gorgonian #mesophotic
Enjoying time with new friends @sheraton-hotels.bsky.social Pu'u Keka’a & Honokōhau, Maui 🪸🐳🐢🧜♀️
December 15, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Enjoying time with new friends @sheraton-hotels.bsky.social Pu'u Keka’a & Honokōhau, Maui 🪸🐳🐢🧜♀️
Mesophotic life 🪸
1st shot is unedited & an example of the weird 😵💫 response of the camera 📷 when taking it beyond the depth rating of the housing 😇
The rest are random research & deco snaps whilst processing expedition image data 📈 🤓
#gorgonian #mesophotic #cowrie #crinoid #rebreather #fsm
1st shot is unedited & an example of the weird 😵💫 response of the camera 📷 when taking it beyond the depth rating of the housing 😇
The rest are random research & deco snaps whilst processing expedition image data 📈 🤓
#gorgonian #mesophotic #cowrie #crinoid #rebreather #fsm
November 13, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Mesophotic life 🪸
1st shot is unedited & an example of the weird 😵💫 response of the camera 📷 when taking it beyond the depth rating of the housing 😇
The rest are random research & deco snaps whilst processing expedition image data 📈 🤓
#gorgonian #mesophotic #cowrie #crinoid #rebreather #fsm
1st shot is unedited & an example of the weird 😵💫 response of the camera 📷 when taking it beyond the depth rating of the housing 😇
The rest are random research & deco snaps whilst processing expedition image data 📈 🤓
#gorgonian #mesophotic #cowrie #crinoid #rebreather #fsm
@DEEP Outstanding innovation & unveiling of their pilot subsea habitat, the Vanguard in Miami, Florida. DEEP provides so many of us the extended time at depth to explore, understand, share, & protect our natural marine environment 🪸
#deep #mesophotic #vanguard
#deep #mesophotic #vanguard
November 5, 2025 at 8:36 AM
@DEEP Outstanding innovation & unveiling of their pilot subsea habitat, the Vanguard in Miami, Florida. DEEP provides so many of us the extended time at depth to explore, understand, share, & protect our natural marine environment 🪸
#deep #mesophotic #vanguard
#deep #mesophotic #vanguard
Pohnpei Expedition 2025 🪸 Over a decade of research to the mesophotic depths of Pohnpei, Ant & Pakin 🏝️ Phenomenal biodiversity exists here and these expeditions have been an enormous success 🧜♀️ Here is a brief summary of this year’s preparations, dive stats, & gas mixes 🤓
October 29, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Pohnpei Expedition 2025 🪸 Over a decade of research to the mesophotic depths of Pohnpei, Ant & Pakin 🏝️ Phenomenal biodiversity exists here and these expeditions have been an enormous success 🧜♀️ Here is a brief summary of this year’s preparations, dive stats, & gas mixes 🤓
Interesting contrast between sites at 140-130m (460-426) depth; whilst Pohnpei has delightfully colourful fish & a new species of Plesiokika, it's still relatively barren compared with the same depth at the vibrant atolls Ant & Pakin, FSM. 🪸🤓
September 30, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Interesting contrast between sites at 140-130m (460-426) depth; whilst Pohnpei has delightfully colourful fish & a new species of Plesiokika, it's still relatively barren compared with the same depth at the vibrant atolls Ant & Pakin, FSM. 🪸🤓
Ant Atoll, FSM: 130-110meters depth (427-361 ft.). You're very welcome w + on ascent from instrument deployment to transects at 90 m (295 ft.). 🪸🧜♀️
September 14, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Ant Atoll, FSM: 130-110meters depth (427-361 ft.). You're very welcome w + on ascent from instrument deployment to transects at 90 m (295 ft.). 🪸🧜♀️
Ascending from our 90 m/296 ft. depth photogrammetry transects we encounter such rich delights at the remote atoll, Pakin* Much endemism is found here
#mesophotic #octocoral #fish #mesophotic #rebreather #rebreatherdiving #soniajrowley #marinebiology #marinebiologist
#mesophotic #octocoral #fish #mesophotic #rebreather #rebreatherdiving #soniajrowley #marinebiology #marinebiologist
September 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Ascending from our 90 m/296 ft. depth photogrammetry transects we encounter such rich delights at the remote atoll, Pakin* Much endemism is found here
#mesophotic #octocoral #fish #mesophotic #rebreather #rebreatherdiving #soniajrowley #marinebiology #marinebiologist
#mesophotic #octocoral #fish #mesophotic #rebreather #rebreatherdiving #soniajrowley #marinebiology #marinebiologist
@kazi_diver @perfectdiver Big thank you 🙏 for the lovely article. Kazi is not only a fabulous woman & diver, but also an arresting writer making me think about why I do what I do 🪸 synthesizing everything. Great article by a great friend and future tech dive buddy 🧜♀️🙏🧜♀️
🔗 issuu.com/perfectdiver...
🔗 issuu.com/perfectdiver...
August 27, 2025 at 12:19 PM
@kazi_diver @perfectdiver Big thank you 🙏 for the lovely article. Kazi is not only a fabulous woman & diver, but also an arresting writer making me think about why I do what I do 🪸 synthesizing everything. Great article by a great friend and future tech dive buddy 🧜♀️🙏🧜♀️
🔗 issuu.com/perfectdiver...
🔗 issuu.com/perfectdiver...
Mahalo nui loa to @oceancensus.bsky.social @universityofhawaii.bsky.social for this support 🪸
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_1n...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_1n...
Gorgonians of the Mesophotic, Discovering new deep sea coral species with Dr. Sonia Rowley
YouTube video by Ocean Census
www.youtube.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Mahalo nui loa to @oceancensus.bsky.social @universityofhawaii.bsky.social for this support 🪸
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_1n...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_1n...
Shining a light on some of the most beautiful works of nature, products of evolution over time. Looking forward to sharing more on my upcoming expedition to Micronesia 🧜♀️🪸📝🤓
#gorgonian #rebreather #research #mesophotic
#gorgonian #rebreather #research #mesophotic
July 26, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Shining a light on some of the most beautiful works of nature, products of evolution over time. Looking forward to sharing more on my upcoming expedition to Micronesia 🧜♀️🪸📝🤓
#gorgonian #rebreather #research #mesophotic
#gorgonian #rebreather #research #mesophotic
Octopus 🐙 cyanea hunting with friends, Indonesia 🇮🇩
#octopus #indonesia #gilitrawangan #rebreatherdiving #goatfish
#octopus #indonesia #gilitrawangan #rebreatherdiving #goatfish
July 19, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Octopus 🐙 cyanea hunting with friends, Indonesia 🇮🇩
#octopus #indonesia #gilitrawangan #rebreatherdiving #goatfish
#octopus #indonesia #gilitrawangan #rebreatherdiving #goatfish
Expedition Research: Timor-Leste 🇹🇱 December 2025. Participate in research to depths at locations where no one has been before. DM or follow the 🔗 below for details:
🔗 soniajrowley.com
#gorgonian #rebreather #expeditionresearch #sjrllc
🔗 soniajrowley.com
#gorgonian #rebreather #expeditionresearch #sjrllc
July 2, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Expedition Research: Timor-Leste 🇹🇱 December 2025. Participate in research to depths at locations where no one has been before. DM or follow the 🔗 below for details:
🔗 soniajrowley.com
#gorgonian #rebreather #expeditionresearch #sjrllc
🔗 soniajrowley.com
#gorgonian #rebreather #expeditionresearch #sjrllc
No Gastropods were harmed in the making of this video 🐚🎬🎥🪸
🎥 @bdnumber6 on a @jjccr_official @gopro
😄by both of us!! 🔊 Sound Up to hear us helium giggling 🤭 Much fun is to be had at mesophotic depths!
@divesoft @LightandMotion_ @DiveShearwater
#gorgonian #mesophotic
🎥 @bdnumber6 on a @jjccr_official @gopro
😄by both of us!! 🔊 Sound Up to hear us helium giggling 🤭 Much fun is to be had at mesophotic depths!
@divesoft @LightandMotion_ @DiveShearwater
#gorgonian #mesophotic
June 28, 2025 at 8:59 AM
No Gastropods were harmed in the making of this video 🐚🎬🎥🪸
🎥 @bdnumber6 on a @jjccr_official @gopro
😄by both of us!! 🔊 Sound Up to hear us helium giggling 🤭 Much fun is to be had at mesophotic depths!
@divesoft @LightandMotion_ @DiveShearwater
#gorgonian #mesophotic
🎥 @bdnumber6 on a @jjccr_official @gopro
😄by both of us!! 🔊 Sound Up to hear us helium giggling 🤭 Much fun is to be had at mesophotic depths!
@divesoft @LightandMotion_ @DiveShearwater
#gorgonian #mesophotic
Mesophotic Gorgonian Octocorals 🪸 of the Indo-West Pacific. Images taken from 70-125 m (230-410 ft) deep. Not too shabby really 🙃
#gorgonian #octocorals #mesophotic #research #rebreather @lightandmotion.bsky.social @cmsnartistid.bsky.social
#gorgonian #octocorals #mesophotic #research #rebreather @lightandmotion.bsky.social @cmsnartistid.bsky.social
June 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Mesophotic Gorgonian Octocorals 🪸 of the Indo-West Pacific. Images taken from 70-125 m (230-410 ft) deep. Not too shabby really 🙃
#gorgonian #octocorals #mesophotic #research #rebreather @lightandmotion.bsky.social @cmsnartistid.bsky.social
#gorgonian #octocorals #mesophotic #research #rebreather @lightandmotion.bsky.social @cmsnartistid.bsky.social
18th June 8 am HST/2 pm EST- Come explore what we know about mesophotic environments, incredible new species to science, & my upcoming expeditions to complete a decade's worth of research + new locations where no one has been before! 🪸
exploringbytheseat.com/lessons/expl...
exploringbytheseat.com/lessons/expl...
Exploration the Mesophotic Zone With Dr. Sonia J. Rowley - Exploring by the Seat
Sonia is a research scientist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, and Applied Research Laboratory. She’s using cutting-edge rebreather diving technol...
exploringbytheseat.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:43 AM
18th June 8 am HST/2 pm EST- Come explore what we know about mesophotic environments, incredible new species to science, & my upcoming expeditions to complete a decade's worth of research + new locations where no one has been before! 🪸
exploringbytheseat.com/lessons/expl...
exploringbytheseat.com/lessons/expl...
Reposted by Sonia J Rowley
Bunnies might seem all sweetness and fluff - but it turns out, rabbits might be hiding a pretty horrible habit.
As usual in the natural world though, there’s a pretty good reason, and it comes down to biology! See the secret snack of rabbits in this week’s #SurprisingScience 💩🐇
As usual in the natural world though, there’s a pretty good reason, and it comes down to biology! See the secret snack of rabbits in this week’s #SurprisingScience 💩🐇
June 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Bunnies might seem all sweetness and fluff - but it turns out, rabbits might be hiding a pretty horrible habit.
As usual in the natural world though, there’s a pretty good reason, and it comes down to biology! See the secret snack of rabbits in this week’s #SurprisingScience 💩🐇
As usual in the natural world though, there’s a pretty good reason, and it comes down to biology! See the secret snack of rabbits in this week’s #SurprisingScience 💩🐇
Expedition research is cultural & in Pohnpei, FSM we are embraced by our extended family and friends. Join us as we complete >a decade of research at mesophotic depths >160 m (525 ft). Where endemic species abound 🪸✨🧜♀️
June 1, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Expedition research is cultural & in Pohnpei, FSM we are embraced by our extended family and friends. Join us as we complete >a decade of research at mesophotic depths >160 m (525 ft). Where endemic species abound 🪸✨🧜♀️
Gorgonian 🪸 Octocorals and their friends of the Wakatobi Marine National Park, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia. We explored remote islands and depths that none have been before 🧜♀️ Exploration at it’s finest 😎
#gorgonian #octocoral #mesophotic #rebreather @wakatobi.bsky.social @gorgonian.bsky.social
#gorgonian #octocoral #mesophotic #rebreather @wakatobi.bsky.social @gorgonian.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Gorgonian 🪸 Octocorals and their friends of the Wakatobi Marine National Park, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia. We explored remote islands and depths that none have been before 🧜♀️ Exploration at it’s finest 😎
#gorgonian #octocoral #mesophotic #rebreather @wakatobi.bsky.social @gorgonian.bsky.social
#gorgonian #octocoral #mesophotic #rebreather @wakatobi.bsky.social @gorgonian.bsky.social
Nothing has disturbed me more than the needless waste that continues to destroy our marine environment: bycatch, where ~3/4 of the catch is destroyed for no good reason. Pure wastefulness of the natural world, that only we can stop with our consumer choices.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH | BOTTOM TRAWLING OFFICIAL CLIP | IN CINEMAS NOW | Altitude Films
YouTube video by Altitude Films
www.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Nothing has disturbed me more than the needless waste that continues to destroy our marine environment: bycatch, where ~3/4 of the catch is destroyed for no good reason. Pure wastefulness of the natural world, that only we can stop with our consumer choices.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
Looking forward to Pohnpei 🪸🧜♀️✨🤓
Mesophotic research expedition where we encounter remarkable endemic species and environments found nowhere else in the world 🌎
#gorgonian #rebreather #mesophoticresearch #pohnpei #unesco #micronesia #endemic #octocoral
Mesophotic research expedition where we encounter remarkable endemic species and environments found nowhere else in the world 🌎
#gorgonian #rebreather #mesophoticresearch #pohnpei #unesco #micronesia #endemic #octocoral
May 8, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Looking forward to Pohnpei 🪸🧜♀️✨🤓
Mesophotic research expedition where we encounter remarkable endemic species and environments found nowhere else in the world 🌎
#gorgonian #rebreather #mesophoticresearch #pohnpei #unesco #micronesia #endemic #octocoral
Mesophotic research expedition where we encounter remarkable endemic species and environments found nowhere else in the world 🌎
#gorgonian #rebreather #mesophoticresearch #pohnpei #unesco #micronesia #endemic #octocoral