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Cousteau's Mission In Underwater Keys Lab Postponed

KEY LARGO (CBSMiami/AP) — The partial government shutdown may be over but it's still causing delays especially for the grandson of ocean exploration pioneer Jacques Cousteau who planned to spend a month in an underwater research lab in the Florida Keys.

Due to the 16-day partial government shutdown, Fabien Cousteau had to postpone his journey to the Aquarius Reef Base off Key Largo.

Cousteau had planned a 31-day stay underwater next month with a team of filmmakers and scientists. They were going to test experimental equipment and conduct research on the underwater effects of climate change.

Cousteau's privately funded "Mission 31" now is planned for the spring.

In a statement last week, Cousteau said partial shutdown of the U.S. government delayed film and science permits the mission requires.

Aquarius sits about 60 feet below the ocean's surface in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It's owned by the U.S. government and managed by Florida International University.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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