iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Raw, uncut footage of many hours of deco at Ant Atoll, FSM 🇫🇲 Fascinating geomorphology carved from persistent surge funnelled from the lagoon colliding with the open ocean 🌊 These high-energy environments provide a stream of food for Gorgonian coral 🪸Welcome to one of my favourite places 🧜‍♀️ #fyp

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

@andicross.bsky.social with her literacy prowess, advocating for our planet, and all the brave who stand up for the natural world 🌏 @nature.org Thank you very much for this compelling article 🪸 www.nature.org/en-us/what-w...

nature.org

Women & Allies in Climate: Sonia Rowley

Sonia J. Rowley wants deep-sea coral science to catch up with what she's finding.

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Side hustle, by popular demand 🪸✨📷 Sharing our oceans beauty is a privilege particularly in areas and depths where few will ever explore. 🔗 fineartamerica.com/profiles/son... All proceeds go directly to science 🧬 my scientific research 🧜‍♀️ please consider celebrating nature’s beauty 🪸

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Enjoying life is critical 😎 Some of this is no longer here 🦈 some species are thriving 🪸 The close attention to detail is of great joy to me, resetting reality 🧜‍♀️ as opposed to the human sized chess ♟️ pieces of a game I don’t belong nor thrive in. It’s nice to come home to nature again & again 🌏 #fyp

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Hurricanes 🌀 may destroy, but reproduction still finds its place! On the West Side of O’ahu 7 male Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhn, 1823)) are in hot pursuit of a single pregnant female! The warmth of the electric outflow attracts many species to reproduce, & the rays are relentless.

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

In a society that makes wrong things right! Expedition research teaches us about the natural world, it’s resilience & ability to thrive, despite ourselves 🧜‍♀️🪸 We can assist! Excerpt from the recent interview by @kazi_diving 🧜‍♀️ 🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pDY... soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #fyp

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Critters in the trap 🦐🦀 The fish seem smarter at depth, able to swim back out. In the shallows they're not so smart getting stuck, decaying, & confounding the research. soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #marinebiology #soniajrowley #gorgonian #fyp #trend

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Choose your study organism 🪸the first thing we were told as a marine biology undergraduate. It’s more than just the diving 🧜‍♀️ it’s the questions, the intellectual curiosity, the analyses that bring the value of these animals & ecosystems alive! 🔗 Expedition Research: soniajrowley.com/expeditions/...

021

Reposted by Sonia J Rowley

The Marine Biological Association @thembauk.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Calling All Ocean-Inspired Photographers! 🌊📸 Enter your photography to showcase marine life, ocean processes, and humanity’s connection to the coast. Enter by Friday 30th September 2026 ~ www.mba.ac.uk/ocean-image-collection #OceanImageCollection #PhotographyCompetition

043

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

The humble sediment trap! This environmental variable exerts a strong influence on the biological communities that we see across depth & different locations. These traps are also reusable ♻️ 🔗 Expedition Research: soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #mesophotic #marinebiology #fyp

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Research deco - can’t top it! Stunningly gorgeous & relaxing part of a very long @ exciting dive 🪸 being trapped in the shallows for a few hours when the photogrammetry has been exhausted 📷 🐟 🔗 Expedition Research 🔬 sign up: soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #fyp #trend #soniajrowley #rebreather

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Deco stop armed with scientific rebreather diving research kitchen sink ensemble 📷📈🎞️🧜‍♀️🪸 Transect tape, bailouts, camera & spare, computer, backups, collection bag… but is it a leak 🤯 no, sometimes you need to check, triple check… see for myself at the 60 m stop & gas switch. Compiled by @Alyssa Perez

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

A recent freedive this beautiful Spotted Eagle Ray Aetobatus ocellatus (Kuhl, 1823) rested beside me for over 2 minutes. Exhausted it had a large fishing hook in its wing. In Hawaiian culture these Rays are called Hīhīmanu, "magnificent" or "elegant bird" #fyp #trending #soniajrowley #marine biology

040

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Arresting beauty, focus, & freedom of field research 🤓 🔗 Expedition Research: soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... DM for details 🪸 #fyp #soniajrowley #trend #mesophotic #gorgonian

030

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The intricate hunting tactics of this remarkable Octopus during a night dive in the Batangas, Philippines. Fascinating activities with tremendous planktonic life darting around attracted to my lights 💡 Expedition research using rebreathers - can't beat it 🐙 😉 🔗 soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #fyp

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Biodiversity begets biodiversity 🪸🧬🐠🐡. Expedition research in the Coral Triangle investigates this immense biodiversity across depth, comparing these dynamic environments with other regions across the Indo-Pacific such as the remote Pacific Islands. 🔗 soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #fyp

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Expedition research @mesophotic depths 🪸 of the Coral Triangle, home to the most biodiverse marine communities on the planet 🌏 A little something for the weekend 🧜‍♀️🧬🔬 🔗 Expedition Research: soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... DM for details 🤓 #Mesophotic #gorgonian #soniajrowley #marinebiology #ccr

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Mesophotic ecosystems are really quite distracting. Recently, whilst collection the CTD @Valeport the delightful beauty of these arborescent (tree-like) corals is arresting & certainly worthy of spending a few moments to appreciate species that we know so very little about. 📷 90m/295 ft Pohnpei🇫🇲

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Christmas tree 🎄 worms 🪱 Spirobranchus corniculatus (Grube,1862) in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia 🇮🇩 Published in the journal Marine Biology @springernature 🔗https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-026-04834-5 #fyp #spirobranchus #christmastreeworm #soniajrowley

131

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Some days are just worth remembering 😎A rare and surreal moment on the wreck of the Seatiger, Honolulu, Hawai’i 🧜‍♀️ Rebreather diver @jsmith_scuba & @mpdiver01 #fyp #soniajrowley #marinebiology #rebreather #mesophotic

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Gorgonians 🪸 everywhere! Art prints 🖼️ bags, towels, shower curtains 🤷‍♀️ @fineartamerica will basically slap a gorgonian on anything & ship it anywhere in the world 🌎 🔗 fineartamerica.com/profiles/son... All proceeds contribute directly to my research 🔬 🪸 #mesophotic #marinelife #fyp #soniajrowley

021

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Sweet shots 🪸 during data collection 🤓 The beauty of researching nature, no AI needed 🚫Expedition research 🔬 being part of the solution 🧜‍♀️ DM for schedule details and to get involved: 🔗 soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #gorgonian #soniajrowley #mesophotic #fyp #expedition

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Expedition Research 🔬 🪸🧜‍♀️🤓 2026 Schedule is now live. Follow the link 🔗 & DM with Qs: 🔗 soniajrowley.com/expeditions/... #fyp #soniajrowley #mesophotic #marinebiology #rebreather

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Descending down the outer wall of the @unesco.bsky.social protected Ant Atoll 🏝️ Sea level stands give an historic perspective 🪸 How small we are, how immense life is, how seriously cool scientific field research can be 🧜‍♀️🤓 100-130m (328-427 ft) depth 😎 focused, happy, in the zone @home #fyp

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Good deeds on Good Friday 🧜‍♀️ Mahalo to @Shane Brown @shangerdanger for all your help saving this little lady, it would not have been possible otherwise 🐢 🙏 team turtle! Note: I am a trained Marine Mammal & Megafauna (incl. turtles 🐢) Medic. ⛔ If you see an injured marine animal please contact @HMAR

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Strange sights at mesophotic depths 🖋️🪶 a remarkable field of sea pens from 57 m depth on a seamount in Okinawa, Japan 🇯🇵 Sea pens are the golden oldies of Octocorals, possess an peduncle that anchors them into the sand, can be bioluminescent, and host tiny fishes and crustaceans 🦞 🦐

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Some Gorgonians 🪸 and biodiversity shots from mesophotic depths taken from 40-110 m/131-361 ft, for a change 😀 🧜‍♀️ 🤓 Indonesia 🇮🇩 one of the most beautiful mesophotic ecosystems on this planet 🌏 🔗 lnkd.in/ej8Fk6uv #gorgonian #mesophotic #fyp #soniajrowley #rebreather

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Trippy twilight 🍄 interpretation of the incredible biodiversity at mesophotic depths🪸 The digital art by @joyceyujeanlee reveals the symmetry that exists within seeming chaos. MTA @mtaartsdesign Fulton Station, Manhattan, NYC and join Joyce on the 14th March 4 pm for an amazing walkthrough #fyp

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Quantitative research at mesophotic depths upslope into the shallows are revealing remarkable in average temperatures. @110m/360ft: ~18•C in 2018 ~26•C in 2025 @90m/295ft: ~20•C in 2018 ~28•C in 2025 😳🪸🌡️ The destructive influence of industry goes deep! Footage from Pohnpei, Pakin & Ant Atoll, FSM 🇫🇲

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Mathematically perfect, the fractal patterns in nature, of Gorgonian Octocorals 🪸at mesophotic depths are little studied, yet evolving for millions of years 🧬 @joyceyujeanlee showcases nature’s intelligence and intricate beauty @mtaartsdesign Fulton Station, Manhattan, NYC until the end of April

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

MCE footage used by Joyce Yu-Jean Lee turning the Fulton Center into an oceanic cathedral with a 52-channel video installation “Manahatta Waterways: A Sanctuary” ⠀  Fulton station, Manhattan every hour to view it, now through March! 🚇🐋🪸 #mtaartanddesign #fultontransitcenter #digitalart

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Expedition Schedule 2026 Coming Soon FSM & the Coral Triangle 🪸😎🧜‍♀️ Join expedition research & extend your abilities as a diver & a scientist 🤓 Be the change ✌️ #marinebiology #mesophotic #expeditionresearch #rebreather #soniajrowley

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Deep life on the east side 🐟 Remarkable dive with the chaps 😎 So many inquisitive Ulua aukea (Giant Trevally, Caranax ignobilis) & Hailepo (Aetobatus ocellatus -spotted eagle rays) 🧜‍♀️ #ulua #aetobatusocellatus #hawaii #rebreather #soniajrowley

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Notable snaps from a few fall & festive CCR dives 🧜‍♀️😊

051

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Fall & Festive CCR dives with ‘da lads’ 😎 best way to stay sane & end the year 🥳🧜‍♀️🙏 Mahalo nui loa #ccr #mesophotic #hawaii

030

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

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

030

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

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

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Enjoying time with new friends @sheraton-hotels.bsky.social Pu'u Keka’a & Honokōhau, Maui 🪸🐳🐢🧜‍♀️

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

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

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

@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

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

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 🤓

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

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. 🪸🤓

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

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.). 🪸🧜‍♀️

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

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

010

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

@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...

020

Sonia J Rowley @soniajrowley.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

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

020