Edie Widder, Ph.D., a oceanographer, a marine biologist, and the co-founder, CEO, senior scientist at the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and the first recipient of the Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration given by MTS and SUT, recently released a new book about her exploration and discoveries in the deep sea, Below the Edge of Darkness, a Memoir of Exploring Light and Life in the Deep Sea. For Currents, Edie discussed her new book with MTS.

What is the key message or theme that is conveyed in the book?

The key message is how we have explored so little of our own planet; we need to be exploring the ocean – not exploiting it - in order to better understand the part it plays in sustaining life on Earth.

Why is MTS and other professional organizations that promote ocean science important?  

Our exploration of the ocean depends on technology development. The greatest advancements in understanding the nature of life in the ocean have arisen from technological innovation.

What advice to you have for those starting their careers, and what does this book offer for ocean scientists?  

For those starting out in ocean science I recommend that they diversify their background and training – don’t just focus on one narrow field.  Innovation comes from new perspectives so play to your strengths, even if it seems outside the norm. For established ocean scientists I hope this book might provide a different perspective on the nature of life in the ocean and especially the important, but frequently overlooked role, that bioluminescence plays.

In your exploration and advancement of ocean science, what has been your greatest discovery?  

Every advancement I have been involved with has been the direct result of technological innovation.  A lot of the emphasis for me has been on developing new ways of exploring that are focused on observing animals unobtrusively.  That different approach is what produced the first video recordings of giant squid in their natural habitat. I have also focused on new ways of quantifying and mapping bioluminescence in situ. For example the instrument that I helped develop for the US Navy (the HIDEX-BP or High Intake Defined Excitation Bathyphotometer) revealed very thin layers of intense bioluminescence less than 0.5 m thick that were due to bioluminescence copepods feeding on marine snow at density discontinuities in the water and the SPLAT-CAM (Spatial Plankton Analysis Technique Camera) which I originally developed for use on submersibles but more recently have been employing on ROVs provides a way to map the 3D distribution patterns of bioluminescent plankton throughout the water column.

Below the Edge of Darkness is available through PenguinRandom House. For more information visit https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/564185/below-the-edge-of-darkness-by-edith-widder-phd/