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NOAA scientists Christine Addison (foreground) and Paula Whitfield (in back holding the underwater video camera) decompress after one of their lionfish research dives. Notice the diving chart and stopwatch that Christine has strapped to her left arm. She uses them to properly time the diving team’s ascent to the surface. If they rise to the surface too quickly, they risk getting decompression sickness. (Photo credit: Doug Kesling)

Paula Whitfield and her research crew for several one-week research expeditions to study the lionfish in August 2004