Preliminary cruise report: Submersible and scuba collections in the coastal waters of Honduras, the Bay Islands: Biomedical and biodiversity research of the benthic communities with emphasis on the porifera, algae and gorgonacea

The primary objectives were: 1) to collect marine invertebrates and algae for discovery of novel compounds with therapeutic potential; 2) to document the biodiversity of the deep-water and shallow-water benthic communities with videotapes, 35-mm photographs, and taxonomic museum specimens using the JOHNSON-SEA-LINK II (JSL) Research Submersible and scuba; 3) to isolate microorganisms from macroinvertebrate and sediment samples; and 4) to procure specimens of sponges for cell culture studies.