Climate change scientist, 27, dies on research dive in Alaska while studying underwater kelp forests

Climate change scientist, 27, dies on research dive in Alaska while studying underwater kelp forests

  • Umihiko Hoshjima, 27, died during a research re-survey in Alaska on Wednesday
  • He was studying climate change and the micro-organisms resilience to it
  • The scientist was found floating on the surface after a dive less than 30ft down
  • Hoshjima, was a first-generation immigrant from Kobe, Japan 
  • A cause of death is yet to be identified by the Alaska State Medical Examiner
  • Authorities were investigating the events that led up to his death 

A climate change scientist has died while on an underwater research dive to study Alaskan kelp forests.

The body of Umihiko Hoshjima, 27, was discovered floating in the water by colleagues on Wednesday, off the coast of Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve.

The postdoctoral researcher at the University of California in Santa Cruz had specialized in how marine organisms adapted to the effects of climate change.

Hoshjima was re-surveying underwater plots less than 30 feet (9.1 meters) deep when he died at Torch Bay, north of Cape Spencer. 

He was found on unresponsive on the surface by coworkers who began CPR but were unsuccessful in resuscitating him.

Umihiko Hoshjima (above), 27, died while researching kelp forests in Alaska  on Wednesday

His body was found in Glacier Bay (above) while he was diving to resurvey plots less than 30 feet under the water

His body was found in Glacier Bay (above) while he was diving to resurvey plots less than 30 feet under the water 

Hoshjima (above) was a postdoctoral researcher with the University of California, Santa Cruz

Hoshjima (above) had been researching the way that microorganisms reacted to the effects of climate change in their environment

Hoshjima (above) was a postdoctoral researcher with the University of California, Santa Cruz, who had been researching the way that microorganisms reacted to the effects of climate change in their environment

The scientist, originally from Kobe, in Japan, had been on a dive from the Gyre, an U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) vessel.

Hoshjima body was taken to Juneau, Alaska, and released to the Alaska State Medical Examiner who will determine the official cause of death. 

The USGS, National Park Service and U.S. Coast Guard are conducting a Serious Accident Investigation to determine what events led up to his death.

The University of California Santa Cruz remembered Hoshjima as a ‘bright and talented postdoctoral scholar.’

‘Our deepest condolences go out to Umi’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time,’ they wrote online. 

Hoshjima finished undergraduate studies at the college in 2013 and later went onto work for them in June last year, after gaining a Ph.D from UC Santa Barbara.

Online he described himself as ‘first-generation immigrant’ whose work focused on temperate reef systems and polar environments.  

He wrote: ‘I am broadly interested in the extent to which organisms are adapted to their environment, and how that could confer resilience to global change.’

Hoshjima (above) was remembered by many as a 'bright and talented.' The cause of his death is yet to be determined by the Alaskan Medical Examiner

Hoshjima (above) was remembered by many as a ‘bright and talented.’ The cause of his death is yet to be determined by the Alaskan Medical Examiner 

Hoshjima had worked at the University of California as of June last year, who remembered him in a touching tweet (above). He received his undergraduate degree from the college in 2013

Hoshjima had worked at the University of California as of June last year, who remembered him in a touching tweet (above). He received his undergraduate degree from the college in 2013

Outside of his work, Hoshjima played multiple instruments and tried to research science communication through art and music. 

‘I advocate the work-life balance of having an identity parallel to being an academic,’ he added.

Mourners remembered the talented researcher online.  

‘Rest in peace, beautiful Umi. Henry and I will miss you so much, dear friend,’ wrote Brandy Gale.

‘See you underwater up there one day Umi,’ posted Shaun Ace Wolfe.

Ale Bortolus, from Argentina, wrote: ‘From the other end of the Americas, @GEAC_CONICET sends condolences too. 

‘We know about the dangers diver researchers face every time they go out to the field. Happy fearless professionals and friends that we admire. RIP,’ he added. 

Ellen Chenoweth wrote: ‘We are mourning with you here in Alaska.’

Another added: ‘Prayer for his family and him.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk