Elaine Dvovak

Elaine Dvovak Image
Location of Interview
Collection Name

Cordell Expeditions

Description

This is a compilation of oral history interviews with core team members of Cordell Expeditions, the team of divers that pioneered exploration of Cordell Bank in the late   1970s and 1980s. These individuals' efforts were instrumental in the discovery of Cordell Bank's biological richness, its nomination and designation as a National Marine Sanctuary. The extraordinary biodiversity of this special place was recognized in 1989, when Congress designated Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.    Today sanctuary staff work to protect the Cordell Bank region through research, regulations, and education. Interviews were conducted with Cordell Expeditions 'core team' members (those that were significantly involved in   the expedition from the beginning to end).

Date of Interview
03-09-2012
DOI
10.7289/V51C1V72
Audio
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Scientific research of California's coast began in the mid 1800's as noted geographer George Davidson and a corps of federal surveyors mapped the coastline of the new state. Cordell Bank was discovered as a shallow shoal by Davidson, but remained a mystery until the1970's when Dr Robert Schmieder, an interested individual, discovered its few relatively shallow contours on a NOAA chart. As a trained scientist by day and an avid recreational diver by weekend, Dr. Schmieder proceeded to find out what was known about Cordell Bank. He found that almost nothing was known about it. Motivated by his own curiosity, and the opportunity to explore what nobody had seen, Bob organized a scientific expedition that would last nearly 10 years. He formed a non-profit group called Cordell Expeditions, who collected specimens, video footage, photographs, and engaged the media to bring awareness to this poorly known marine habitat off the Marin/Sonoma coast. In addition to the intrepid exploration attitude of the team, the depths and dangers were numerous for SCUBA, a method of exploration that has not been attempted on Cordell Bank since. Their extraordinary work was instrumental in the future designation of Cordell Bank and its surrounding waters as a National Marine Sanctuary under NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program. The personal experiences of the pioneer divers, many of whom are now approaching advanced age, are unique and irreplaceable elements of the historic expedition that have not been recorded. The body of knowledge of specimens and data collected by Cordell Expeditions is all that historically exists for Cordell Bank and recently has been donated to the California Academy of Sciences (CAS) with the support of the Sanctuary. This interview was conducted with Don and Elaine Dvorak and Sue Estey.
 


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