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Cousteau's Mission In Underwater Keys Lab Set To Start June 1st

KEY LARGO (CBSMiami/AP) — After being delayed due to the October partial government shutdown, the grandson of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau is once again preparing to spend 31 days at an underwater research laboratory in the Florida Keys.

Fabien Cousteau's "Mission 31" will begin June 1 at Aquarius Reef Base.

Cousteau and his team of scientists and filmmakers plan to re-emerge July 2 after testing experimental equipment and studying the underwater effects of pollution and climate change.

It's the longest mission ever at the lab that sits about 60 feet below the ocean's surface in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Aquarius is owned by the U.S. government and managed by Florida International University.

Cousteau says he's paying homage to the legacy of his grandfather, who pioneered the saturation diving techniques that allow researchers to live and work underwater in specially designed habitats.

Cousteau had to postpone his journey to the Aquarius Reef Base last year due to the 16-day partial government shutdown.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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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