FSU Panama City hosted its annual dive symposium. The researchers spoke about a variety of new technologies in the diving field that are allowing for greater exploration underwater, but even with the significant progress, there are still many challenges ahead.

"I'm not a scientist, but it's very clear threats of overfishing, climate change and what have you, is really impacting the oceans more and more and if we can inspire people to care more about the oceans we may be able to influence some change more in the positive direction," said Christian McDonald, scientific diving safety officer.

"Challenges to work together better, there are technology developments; but I think the bigger challenge is to be able to leverage each other. The Science Foundation, the Navy, NOAA, private industry, to better use our resources to address the problems," said Karen Kohanowich, NOAA undersea research program director.

FSU Panama City hosts the annual symposium in connection with its advanced science diving and underwater crime scene investigation programs, the only one of its kind in the nation.