GMC Biology Club Students Discover Rare Fish Species During Panama City Beach Dive

GMC Biology Club Students Discover Rare Fish Species During Panama City Beach Dive

Georgia Military College (GMC) Biology Club students had no idea that they'd make an incredible discovery during their summer diving expedition off the coast of Panama City Beach, FL. Led by Professor Mark Fairbrass, who serves as GMC's Health and Natural Science Department Chair, the group of four students identified the species of fish, the regal demoiselle, which was previously unrecorded in the Gulf of Mexico.

"It wasn't the fact that we found something new," Fairbrass said, "it was the fact that the kids found it. They were interested enough to say, what is this? They were interested enough to push that out to other groups and to find the answer."

The Regal Demoiselle, native to the Indo-Pacific region, was first thought to be an anomaly in the Gulf. However, after consulting with other biologists, it was revealed that the species had been spotted in the Gulf before, primarily on the legs of oil rigs transported from the Pacific. This was the first time, however, that the fish had been observed on the wrecks the GMC team explored off the Florida coast.

Fairbrass is a fierce advocate of GMC's mission to provide opportunities to students who are looking for ways to demonstrate value to future employers and graduate programs. "These students are amazing because they don't take it as a vacation to go diving," Fairbrass said. The students meticulously filled out forms and submitted photographs to REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation)and the U.S. Geological Surveyto record the species' presence, making a lasting impact on the region.

GMC's Biology Club offers students hands-on experience in the field, and Fairbrass goes all in for his students by fundraising for the diving trips himself, which are part of an ongoing research effort over that past two years, allowing students to observe and document marine life, contributing to scientific knowledge and gaining valuable skills for their future careers.

The Biology Club's trips are funded through donations, have become an essential part of the students' education. Professor Fairbrass emphasized the importance of these experiences in helping students stand out when applying for graduate programs or jobs. "The whole point is to get kids out of the classroom and give them real-world experience," he said. "When they finish with GMC, they have the skills to say to any organization, 'I really should be with you. Look at what I've done.'"

As the Biology Club plans to make these trips an annual tradition, they continue to seek support to ensure that more students can participate and make discoveries of their own. Those interested in contributing to the Biology Club's efforts can do so through GMC's donation portal at give.gmc.eduby donating to the 'JC Biology Club' fund.