Hydrous’ expedition to Palau Promotes Ocean Conversation With 360 Virtual Reality Camera

The Hydrous, a non-profit organization of scientists, divers, designers, filmmakers, and technologists who love the ocean recently completed an expedition from February to March 2018 in and around the archipelago island nation of Palau. The Hydrous foundation helps people explore, understand, and engage with marine environments, especially those which are severely threatened due to climate change and human impacts. The Hydrous focuses on giving people a visual experience of ocean environments. President of The Baum Foundation Glenn Bucksbaum, one of expedition team members says, “This virtual reality technology will bring an extraordinary underwater world of wonder to many who may never have the opportunity to venture underwater.”

Using emerging 360 degree virtual reality camera technology, The Hydrous group led a groundbreaking filmmaking project to film Palau’s underwater habitat; fish and coral reefs. In partnership with researchers from the California Academy of Sciences, University of Hawaii, and Oxford University, The Hydrous is planning to use the advanced VRTUL2 technology to digitally recreate the experience of diving in these environments for the purposes of educating audiences about these ecosystems and the challenges they are facing.

The Hydrous foundation places importance on ocean conservation, working closely with communities. During the expedition, members of The Hydrous group were able to meet with April Peebler of Heirs to Our Oceans who led a group of high school students that practice conservation and activism to discuss ways to usher in the next generation of ocean protectors.

Baum Foundation support provided two youth with diving certifications, a shared presentation on coral reefs at a local school, and a snorkeling trip for Palauan youth who participated in a screening of Chasing Coral at Palau high school. Results from the Hydrous filming project will spur efforts for organizers to educate, to spread awareness of the value of maintaining healthy habitats and supporting the communities that take care of them.

https://www.thehydro.us/

 

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