. >> today, dan howard manages the area for the federal government. >> what we're trying to understand is how the reef has changed. >> the result challenged any preconceptions, instead of using 16 millimeter film, they took down high definition cameras in difficult conditions at 120 feet they show a rock bottom carpeted with life. >> there is so much more vibrant than you would expect. it's beautiful. between you and me there would be thousand little fish. >> it's spectacular. all of us are so jealous we can go down there. >> they brought a little back up here. but they will preserve these specimens for generation of study. >> it's a transition zone between the north and south. that may actually, it's only found in this area between the north and south. >> in short it's about building a database, observing today for future comparisons. >> with this new imaging we see that the community the thriving. it's very healthy and very clean. that is a relief. >> especially perhaps for hungry whales with so much food and they know a good thing when they find it. from the cordell bank, wayne free