NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

Amber LaMonte: Ctrl + Alt + Ecosystems to Equipment: A Side-Quest for the Techies, June 8, 2026

Amber posing inside a ship's bridge, with four NOAA Corps officers wearing dark blue uniforms. Amber is wearing her blue Teacher at Sea t-shirt. They are smiling, with windows showing a view of the sea in the background. — An honor to take a photo with (from left to right) XO Pestone, Lt Urquhart, Lt Zoller and CO Sinquefield

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amber LaMonte

May 31 – June 10, 2026

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon)
Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Maine
Date: June 8, 2026

Data from the Bridge
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 11:44 PM
Latitude: 043° 33.456’ N
Longitude: 070° 38.739’ W
Doppler Wind Speed: 17.4 knots (kt)
True Wind Speed: 14.06 knots (kt)
Wave Height: 5’
Air Temperature: 9.44°C/49°F
Wet Bulb Temperature: 7.9°C/46.2°F
Bottom Depth: 168 m
Sky: Clear

For this post, I tried to step aside from my biologist bias (it was an insightful challenge) and highlight the technical aspects of running an ecosystem science operation. I have provided numerous links to illustrate the path to various careers and future research being conducted with NOAA.

A close-up view of the white side of a blue and white buoy with the text 'Class of 2028' written in black marker. — *Here comes 2028*

Last Buoy

Deploying the last buoy with my Shipmate Ave Cieplinski

Global drifter buoy #3, a.k.a. LaMonster, for those of the class of 2028 taking my course and ready to learn all about our planet and ocean! We are now in the Gulf of Maine after making our way through Georges Bank, where this drifter was deployed at 40°14.560’N 067°39.008’W on the southernmost station of this region.

The Gulf of Maine is a semi-enclosed sea bordered by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Beneath the surface, Georges Bank helps shape currents and separates the Gulf from the Atlantic south of Cape Cod. Just beyond this boundary, the cold Labrador Current and warm Gulf Stream meet. Inside the Gulf, coastal geography redirects these waters, forming a gyre that pushes cold water southward.

Map illustrating the general circulation patterns in the Gulf of Maine during the stratified season, with bathymetric contours marking areas of different depth. Blue arrows depict shallower currents occurring at less than 75 meters deep while red lines depict deeper currents occurring more than 150 meters deep. — Currents Map of the Gulf of Maine (Source: WHOI)

What I find most intriguing is how this balance is shifting; the Labrador Current now carries more freshwater from melting ice, while the Gulf Stream is moving north. These changes matter; many marine species depend on specific temperature ranges, so even small shifts in currents can reshape entire ecosystems. I chose to deploy at this location so that my students will hopefully see the data pattern showing how quickly the drifter moves into the Gulf Stream.

Science and Technology Log

Illustration of a data-collecting ocean drifter equipped with an antenna, surface float, sensors for measuring sea surface temperature, and a subsurface drogue, transmitting information via satellite. — Components of a Drifter
(Source: NOAA Global Drifter Program)

A global drifting buoy, or drifter, is an instrument designed to measure sea surface temperature along with variables such as atmospheric pressure, wind, wave height, and salinity. As these buoys move naturally with ocean currents, onboard sensors collect data and transmit it to satellites, allowing scientists to track their positions over time and map ocean circulation patterns. These drifters provide essential data to validate satellite data and improve forecasts. A critical feature of each drifter is its drogue, or sea anchor, which extends about 20 meters (65 feet) below the surface. Connected by a long tether, the drogue ensures the drifter follows ocean currents rather than being pushed by wind: without it, the instrument would drift like a lightweight object at the surface.

Through our participation in the Adopt a Drifter program, this technology becomes tangible for students. They can follow real drifters and analyze authentic data in near real time; in this way, they’re actively engaging with live information and thinking like scientists as they interpret it. I cannot wait for students to discover the origin story next year! At the time of writing this post, the LaMonster had made its way across a degree of latitude and longitude in only a few days.

*Screenshot from the interactive map of the Global Drifter Program (GDP) Array*

The data generated by these drifters are compiled into a comprehensive dataset providing hourly estimates of sea surface temperature and ocean currents. The buoys last around 400 days but scientists are already trying to improve the power capability, read here. Managed and quality-controlled by NOAA’s Drifter Data Assembly Center (DAC) at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), the dataset ensures accuracy and consistency. Rich metadata, such as deployment details, drogue status, drifter type, and identification information, further supports meaningful analysis and real-world scientific investigation such as used here.

Methodology & Careers

(1) Nick Vang, Survey Tech, in front of the continuous flow water system. (2) Computer view of the multi-beam sonar data. (3) Styrofoam cup before and after placement, along with the CTD at depths to illustrate the pressure. (4) Single beam sonar output viewed as the CTD and bongos are deployed. (5) Nick demonstrates the software needed to run and interpret the numerous radars on board.

Meet Nick Vang, a survey tech with NOAA currently serving as an augmenter, a role in which he not only runs operations in the acoustics lab but also coordinates with the science team, deck crew and bridge to ensure the execution of the mission runs smoothly. I just love that title “augmenter” and have decided to use it next in lieu of “teacher” ( I’m kind of joking, but not really; I probably will work it in at some point). This is because we know that, as teachers, we are not just running operations in one particular room on one particular day, but rather focusing on the bigger picture of the whole school year as our mission.

In the acoustics lab, the EM2040 is a high-resolution scientific multibeam sonar system used to collect detailed data from both the water column and the ocean floor. In simple terms, the system works by sending out a cone-shaped sound wave, often called a “ping”, toward the seafloor down to 300 meters. This sound reflects off the ocean bottom and returns to the ship, allowing onboard computers to calculate the distance traveled. From this information, a map of the seafloor begins to take shape.

The survey tech team refines the raw data by correcting factors such as tides, sound speed and vessel offset, ensuring the measurements align accurately. The techs go through a training program when hired that is specific to using the software used by NOAA ships. One area in which software has advanced is its ability to read any “noise” that is not the actual bottom and compute the depth accurately. The processed data is then transformed into a bathymetric model, a detailed representation of the seafloor, which is used to precisely determine optimal station locations.

conical white and red equipment in the engine room

a cylindrical piece of equipment with pipes and control panels attached

a folded up fire hose mounted on a hook beneath the words "Fire Sta No. 4"

A man wearing industrial ear protection gear on his head - above his ears - stands at a long control panel of screens, buttons, and lights, and uses his hands to illustrate a point about something

(1) The rotary vane hydraulic steering gear that controls the bow thruster. (2) Pumps for the RO (Reverse Osmosis) system. (3) An emergency fire station. (4) Chief Engineer Adam Butters leading the tour. (5) One of 4 diesel engines aboard NOAA Ship Pisces.

The Pisces operates as a diesel-electric vessel, similar in concept to a hybrid car, thereby reducing emissions and supporting NOAA’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The vessel is also equipped with a bow thruster, which is especially useful when holding position. This system works with the dynamic positioning system to keep Pisces precisely in place, counteracting currents and eliminating drift.

We took a tour of the engine room and Chief Engineer Adam Butters guided us through some of the key systems that keep the ship running. The engines and equipment were impressive, and it was clear that the engineering team put in a lot of work to make our mission possible. The engine room was very loud and hot; we wore earplugs for protection, but I could not hear myself think. We started at the water maker unit, which uses reverse osmosis (RO), which turns ocean water into fresh water for drinking, cooking and bathing. Fun fact: this removes all the minerals from the water, so I added an electrolyte mix to my water bottle each day.

Next, he showed us the systems that support the lab. He pointed out the refrigeration system that keeps chlorophyll samples frozen at -80°C. It was interesting to see the equipment that powers everything behind the scenes. The ship’s electrical system is also complex, producing 600 volts of electricity, which is stepped down to power large machines and even further for everyday outlets like the ones in our rooms. In addition, we saw a centrifuge that cleans diesel fuel by separating impurities and water using specific gravity.

a NOAA Corps officer stands on the bridge, facing to the left of the photo. he holds a sextant up to his eyes with his right hand and uses his left hand to adjust the settings.

a NOAA Corps officer looks on as Amber drives the ship, each hand on a different lever

A NOAA Corps officer in a blue uniform looks down at a control panel on the bridge. we can see calm blue ocean through the windows in the background.

two NOAA Corps Officers stand on the far side of the bridge

two NOAA Corps officers stand on the bridge looking down at a display screen

(1 ) CO demonstrates use of a sextant. (2) ENS Keene-Connole supervising. (3) CO supervising. (4) Mrs. LaMonte, XO Pestone, Lt Urquhart, CO Sinquefield and Lt Zoller. (5) Lt Zoller. (6) Original Rolls-Royce equipment. (7) CO Sinquefield and Lt Zoller explaining sample station positioning

For me, it was an honor to chat with the commissioned NOAA officers aboard for this survey. My visit to the Bridge included a demonstration of the sextant lesson CO plans to teach as the ship makes its next sail to the Canary Islands, instructions for some of the basics in driving the ship and an explanation of how to read the ship’s navigational screen during sample station deployments.

I’ve learned that the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services and its officers play a key role in carrying out NOAA’s mission. With a relatively small group, about 360 officers, they support a wide range of scientific and operational programs both at sea and in the air.

While some officers earn a 4-year STEM-based degree, others attend maritime colleges that offer personalized education with career-ready placements. After being selected, officer candidates train at the NOAA Corps Training Center at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy before being commissioned as ensigns. From there, many begin their careers at sea, with about 80 percent of officers serving aboard NOAA ships at some point.

What stood out to me most is the variety in their careers. Officers rotate between sea, aviation, and land assignments every few years, building experience in different roles while supporting NOAA’s work from multiple angles.

Personal Log

First Light Timelapse

I continue to be absolutely amazed at the first light of each day. Each morning, I determine the travel orientation of this ship and which deck, bow or stern, port or starboard, I should visit for the best view.

A breakfast plate featuring pancakes topped with maple syrup, crispy bacon, quinoa, and scrambled eggs, with a glass of orange juice and a bottle of organic maple syrup in the background. — A very nutritious breakfast

And the food in the galley continues to be excellent, I had a chance to chat with both cooks (Mike x2) and they both absolutely are very appreciated by the crew. Mealtimes on the ship are special, as nearly everyone stops their tasks for a welcome break and nourishment. Several times, the bridge would announce over the radio that they were holding the start of the station until after mealtime.

Diagram of a boat showing directional terms: port (left side), starboard (right side), stern (back), and bow (front). — https://www.boaterexam.com/boating-resources/boat-terminology/

Did You Know?

My students are familiar with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as I open the year by teaching about them, that while the world has ONE ocean, I highlight the importance of designating our oceans as distinct sections. The MPA distinction allows students to jump right in, looking at some of the charismatic marine fauna and learning what it means to be a stakeholder. Below is a map of the MPAs located within our national waters and an overview of Stellwagen Bank, a sanctuary where we conducted some of our samplings.

Map of the Pacific Ocean highlighting various National Marine Sanctuaries, including locations like Olympic Coast, Greater Farallones, and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale. — Map of U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries (Source: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/ )

Topographic map showing the Gulf of Maine and Stellwagen Bank area with geographical features and locations labeled. — Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/pgallery/

The nutrient-rich waters of Stellwagen Bank have long made it a cornerstone of New England’s maritime story, supporting productive fisheries and returning whales, making it a whale-watching destination. This is where I was able to witness mother-calf pairs forage and learn with security and protection. This ecological vibrancy highlights the power of marine protected areas to sustain both wildlife and human use. Within federal waters, the 842-square-mile sanctuary stretches from south of Cape Ann to north of Cape Cod and is New England’s only national marine sanctuary.

June 11, 2026June 14, 2026

Amber LaMonte: Don’t Doubt The Drifters: Plankton Are In Charge, June 6, 2026

Calm turquoise ocean water under a clear blue sky. — *Caribbean blue water in Southern New England waters*

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amber LaMonte

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

May 31 – June 10, 2026

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Southern New England

Date: June 5, 2026

Data from the Bridge

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 8:26 PM

Latitude: 39° 02.684’ N

Longitude: 072° 43.098’ W

Doppler Wind Speed: 1.97 knots (kt)

True Wind Speed: 2.31 knots (kt)

Wave Height: 1’

Air Temperature: 15°C/59°F

Wet Bulb Temperature: 12.4°C/54.3°F

Bottom Depth: 204 m

Sky: Clear

Alright, it’s time for global drifter buoy #2, a.k.a. THE BUOYS, I am ready for you, class of 2027! This one is for the juniors rising up like the sun on the horizon at first light. We have made our way further north and back into Southern New England waters. This drifter was deployed at 39° 02.684’ N, 072° 43.098’ W

Amber and Nick stand facing each other at the railing at twilight. they each hold one side of the folded drogue of the drifting buoy, with the round buoy portion resting on top.

close-up of the side of a white buoy; black hand-drawn letters read "YHS c/o 2027" — **Shout Out Class of 2027**

close-up view of the buoy portion of a drifting buoy; it looks like white and blue fiberglass ball. on the top white portion we see stickers that read "York Falcons" and hand drawn words in all caps: THE BUOYS

The Buoys Going Overboard, Mrs. LaMonte with Nick Vang (Survey Tech)

Science and Technology Log

Research

top half of a humpback whale extends vertically up from a blue ocean surface

a mostly white seabird flying over a choppy ocean surface

a brown bird flying against a blue sky, with just wisps of clouds

view of a dolphin returning to the water after a leap; the water is choppy from the ship's wake

a simplified Google earth map of the water south of Long Island. in the ocean is a blue circle containing a little symbol of a shark, and an orange dot at the top right rim.

1- Humpback whale lunge feeding 2- Great Shearwater (Photo courtesy of Chief Scientist Audy Peoples) 3- South Polar Skua (Photo courtesy of Chief Scientist Audy Peoples) 4 – Common dolphin playing in the ship’s wake 5 – A tagged Great White shark I’ve been following near our ship https://www.ocearch.org/tracker/

Animal monitoring is an exciting part of life aboard our research vessel. It doesn’t take much to spark enthusiasm; an alert comes over the radio (not the loudspeaker because we don’t want to wake the sleeping crew!) about animals sighted near the boat, and the crew pops up to the deck (no, it’s not just Mrs. LaMonte), eager for a glimpse of these charismatic marine visitors. Nick Metheny is the dedicated observer for the Pisces on this cruise survey. He is observing and documenting from sunrise to sunset; that’s some dedication! Meanwhile, NOAA Corps officers on the bridge keep a steady, watchful eye to ensure we safely share these waters with much larger neighbors, including whales.

Person surveying the ocean using a large pair of binoculars mounted on a pedestal, wearing a bright yellow jacket and a hat under a canopy. — *Nick Metheny is the protected species observer on this cruise*

humpback whale was feeding right next to our ship during a station stop!

Beyond these spontaneous moments of excitement, Seabird and Marine Mammal Observers play a critical, structured role within our science team. From their perch on the Flying Bridge, they scan the horizon, tracking everything. Each sighting, species, group size, behavior and any photograph is carefully recorded and cataloged.

These data feed into long-term monitoring efforts, including AMAPPS (the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species). Through this work, NOAA scientists are building a clearer picture of how whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and seabirds move through and rely on these waters. It’s rewarding to know that those thrilling, real-time sightings of these incredible animals are also contributing to critical research, helping us better understand and protect the vibrant marine life that makes every watch on deck feel a little bit magical.

Satellite image depicting the northeastern United States and parts of the Atlantic Ocean, showcasing landforms, vegetation, and varying shades of blue in the water, with clouds present. — NASA PACE – Identifying Blooms Off The North Atlantic https://pace.oceansciences.org/data_images_more.htm?id=561

A person standing in a workspace with metal cabinets and various equipment, including a computer and hoses, with a blue shirt draped over a cart. — Artem Dzhulai a Ph.D. candidate in biological oceanography at URI

You are likely familiar with the satellites of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), although high-tech, the satellites must be carefully validated. During the NOAA EcoMon cruise, we’re helping to ground-truth NASA’s PACE satellite, which monitors phytoplankton. Artem Dzhulai and Rowan Cirivello are Ph.D. candidates in biological oceanography who study how light interacts with the ocean. When the NASA satellite passes over our ship at noon, they deploy a radiometer to measure how light decreases through the water column.

A person wearing glasses and a dark hoodie is operating laboratory equipment, with computer screens displaying data in the background. Various tubes and containers are visible in the workspace. — Rowan Cirivello a Ph.D. candidate in biological oceanography at URI

They also collect water samples, either from CTD Rosette casts or the ship’s continuous water line system (more about that in the next blog). In the lab, the samples are filtered to separate particulate matter (such as plankton) and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). This is done repeatedly for validation or “triplicates for particulates,” as Rowan puts it. These are analyzed with a spectrophotometer to determine how light and color vary in the water, with some samples sent directly to NASA.

A row of clear graduated cylinders secured in place, each covered with a transparent plastic bag and foil on top, arranged on a laboratory countertop. — Filter columns for particulates

Advances in technology now allow us to deploy sophisticated instruments that can continuously track individual organisms in the ocean. Two Imaging FlowCytoBots (IFCB) are being used to confirm accuracy. Inside the cylinder tanks, images of individual plankton are taken with thresholds set based on backscattering & fluorescence; for example, lower the threshold for pelagic water with fewer organisms and increase it for neritic (coastal) water with a higher abundance of organisms.

view of a laptop displaying an image of plankton as seen through a microscope.

Microscopic image displaying various microorganisms, including a copepod and numerous cellular structures, arranged in a grid format. — **Images being captured in real time**

Two black oceanographic instruments with labels, one featuring a 'Danger: Laser Radiation' warning, sitting on a workstation with various lab equipment in the background. — ***Pair of flow cytobots***

Look at how cool it is to see the phytoplankton in real-time!

With these tools, we are not just observing ecosystems, we are witnessing them unfold in real time, opening the door to deeper insight, discovery and innovation in marine science. Ultimately, this work improves our understanding of ocean health and could help fisheries identify productive ecosystems by tracking phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food web.

Scientific Concepts

Below are some terms you may have learned in a science class before, but are key to understanding why the measurements are being collected as data for the EcoMon survey samples. These parameters, along with nutrients and oxygen, determine the types and abundance of plankton.

Close-up view of small aquatic organisms and debris scattered on a light surface. — *Calanus – genus of copepod, from 20 m bongo* – Right whales love these! The darker green sections are oil sacs that provide the lipids.

Plankton – Don’t doubt the drifters, plankton run the world. Despite their name, rooted in the Greek planktos, meaning “wanderer” because they cannot swim against the current, these tiny powerhouses are anything but passive. They are dynamic, influential forces that quietly orchestrate life on a global scale. From fueling marine food webs to regulating the carbon cycle and even shaping weather patterns, plankton prove that impact isn’t about size, it’s about significance.

Close-up of small, transparent shrimp-like organisms swimming in a glass of water. — *Euphausia – genus of krill, from 60 m bongo, I waited a week to find some large ones! These are 6 cm*

Temperature, salinity and density vary with depth – below is a general graph of how scientists might expect parameters to change with depth. In addition to this general trend, scientists will layer in information about a specific location to account for variables such as bathymetry (underwater topography) and latitude. By understanding these general trends, they can determine when changes occur and how they may impact plankton.

Graph displaying thermocline, halocline, and pycnocline profiles with increasing depth, temperature, salinity, and density in ocean water. — https://hurricanescience.org/science/basic/water/index.html

A group of four students in a classroom, all wearing safety goggles and smiling excitedly. One student is holding a beaker with bubbling liquid, while others react with surprise and joy. The classroom is bright and equipped for science experiments. — Students completing a salinity lab, the “old-fashioned” evaporation way to obtain the mass of the salt (photo courtesy of York High School)

Conductivity (salinity) – Pure water conducts electricity very poorly. However, when salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolve, they dissociate into free-moving, charged ions that readily conduct an electric current. As a result, increasing salinity corresponds to higher electrical conductivity. A CTD instrument captures this relationship using a conductivity sensor, which measures how effectively the water transmits an electrical current, a direct reflection of its dissolved salt and ion content.

Fluorescence – Oceanographers rely on chlorophyll (a) fluorescence as a primary biological proxy to estimate phytoplankton concentration and biomass. Phytoplankton cells absorb blue light and re-emit the absorbed energy as red fluorescence (at around 685 nm), which can be efficiently measured and graphed.

Methodology

The Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) is an instrument with several physical and chemical sensors: pH, temperature, salinity, oxygen, depth, and fluorescence that collects data at every station from which we collected fisheries data. On the ship, there are two CTDs: one is attached between the bongos and one is attached at the bottom of the Rosette (a circular instrument with bottles for collecting water samples). Depending on the station’s criteria, both are sometimes deployed.

A scientific water sampling device on a research vessel deck at sunset, with calm ocean waters in the background. — Rosette with CTD beneath

A scientific oceanographic device with two clear sample containers suspended from a rigging, against a backdrop of a colorful sunset over the water. — Rosette with CTD beneath

For this instrument, the ship must be diligent in following protocol; one important job for the Able Body Deck Crew is getting the instrument into the water and maintaining the guidelines for the cable lines’ angle and depth. The NOAA Corps officers radio from the bridge, “10 minutes until bongo” (I have heard this 100’s of times) and the crew begins operations.

Two workers on a boat deck wearing hard hats and life vests, holding equipment with nets overboard against a backdrop of the ocean. — AB Fisherman Abe Sims & Junior Cornell (Chief Boatswain)

Deployment

Lift CTD into water.
Hold at Surface, to allow the CTD to stabilize, the crew receives instructions from the watch scientist for the depths.
Send CTD down to just above the sea floor.
The lab says “fire” to open the bottles.
Lab completes data collection before bringing it to the surface.

A woman in a blue jumpsuit and orange life vest is working with monitoring equipment on a ship, focused on a cylinder setup. — Collecting water samples from the cyclinders

In addition to deployment, there are two tasks for this instrument to be completed by the science team: monitoring its deployment in the lab as some data is transmitted instantly and retrieving the water samples that will be processed for additional lab data.

Open valves for the cylinder
Rinse sample bottle 3x
Filter water into the sample bottle for chlorophyll
Collect water in glassware for nutrient testing

This data is used alongside catch data collected from the bongos, allowing scientists to make connections between water quality and fish caught. While the relationship is complex, water quality and marine life abundance are directly related. Water quality and the survivability of marine species contribute to our economic, cultural and public health. This data can help identify potential threats and inform management plans for both water quality and targeted species.

Careers

For this post, I’ll highlight the possible certifications you would need to receive to be hired for these positions.

A worker in a bright yellow jacket and helmet operates equipment on a boat, handling two cylindrical containers near the water. — *Boatswain AB-F Todd Fatkin*

Boatswain – If you want to sail our oceans, getting to travel while you work and receive room & board. A typical pathway to becoming a boatswain with NOAA begins by entering the Professional Mariner workforce and building foundational maritime experience. Candidates are required to secure a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). NOAA’s online job portal.

Three individuals on a boat deck scanning the ocean with binoculars, with a laptop and equipment visible in the foreground. — Assisting our dedicated observer

Protected Species Observer – If you love marine organisms! To serve as a steward of marine ecosystems, monitoring whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other protected species during NOAA operations. Provides real-time guidance to ship crews, to minimize environmental impact. You can travel the world, receive room & board then check out NOAA’s requirements.

Scenic view of a calm sea at sunset, with soft waves reflecting warm hues in the sky. — First Light Over Atlantic Ocean

Personal Log

A bulletin board featuring photos of eight scientists with their names, including Audy Peoples, Katey Marancik, Nick Metheny, Ava Cleplinski, Olivia Robson, Rowan Cirivello, Artem Dzhulai, and Amber LaMonte. The background includes a map labeled 'HAVANA' and nautical charts. — **The science team on the bulletin board**

A laptop displaying a document is set on a desk with various sticky notes scattered around. The background shows a window with an ocean view. — **My office view**

The NOAA Ship Pisces has been so welcoming to me as I have become fully immersed in the ship’s daily routine. There is a bulletin board with pictures of the people currently onboard, you can see I am part of the science team, most of whom I have written about or will write about. They even posted a QR to my blog and some of the crew have read along and learned the details of some of the science being conducted onboard. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the FIRST LIGHT of the day! Just breathtaking. I feel like I am working and on vacation at the same time. For work, I bounce back and forth between washing bongo nets, writing the blog, posting student challenges on Instagram and watching for wildlife. Getting to see so many marine organisms, having delicious choices for breakfast/lunch (also good choices for dinner, but 3 am-3 pm shift, I am already in bed) ready for me and getting to do laundry while I work definitely feels like vacay mode.

A plate featuring shrimp, seasoned rice, and yellow squash along with a slice of red velvet cake and a water bottle with the label 'Science Not Silence.' — **Yummy dinner (stayed up past my bedtime)**

A person holding a plastic bag filled with clean laundry in a laundry room, with a dryer and detergent products visible in the background. — **Yummy dinner (stayed up past my bedtime)**

Did You Know?

That beautiful Caribbean blue water could be seen from the NASA satellites and it was caused by microscopic phytoplankton. Plankton, specifically phytoplankton, really are in charge! I actually pranked several students into thinking the ship was down in the islands.

Coccolithophore bloom

Satellite imagery of the northeastern United States, showing coastal waters, landmass, and cloud coverage. The display includes layers for sea surface temperature and chlorophyll levels, along with navigation tools and time settings. — *Coccolithophore bloom seen from satellite (screenshot of NASA Worldview)*

Coccolithophores span a broad range of surface environments, from nutrient-rich (eutrophic) waters in temperate and subpolar regions to persistently nutrient-poor (oligotrophic) subtropical gyres. They contribute about 1–10% of primary production and phytoplankton biomass, with their share rising to ~40% during bloom conditions.

Coccolithophores are among the most significant pelagic calcifiers, producing large quantities of calcium carbonate. The shedding drives a sustained flux of carbonate to the deep ocean, supporting vertical gradients in seawater alkalinity and playing a key role in the carbonate pump. In addition, coccoliths enhance the sinking rate of organic matter and improve the efficiency of carbon export to depth. Over long timescales, this has contributed to the formation of a carbon sink; feedbacks between seafloor carbonate accumulation and the carbon cycle help stabilize Earth’s climate.

A series of scanning electron microscope images showcasing various microscopic structures, labeled A to N, including diverse shapes and patterns of microorganisms, with some displayed in different orientations and angles. — *Diversity of coccolithophores under an electron scanning microscope https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1501822*

THANKS PHYTOPLANKTON!

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

Amber LaMonte: This Post Is Fishy, June 4, 2026

A close-up image of a small fish through a microscope viewer, showcasing its detailed features including fins and eyes, set against a blurred background.

Two small fish with prominent blue eyes resting on a mesh surface, surrounded by water and sediment. — *Haddock larvae in the shape of Pisces* *from a 75 m bongo sample*

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amber LaMonte

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

May 31- June 10

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon) Geographic Area of Cruise: Mid-Atlantic Date: June 4, 2026

Data from the Bridge

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 8:24 AM Latitude: 39° 02.599’ N Longitude: 072° 42.161’ W Doppler Wind Speed: 9.97 knots (kt) True Wind Speed: 3.56 knots (kt) Wave Height: 2’ Air Temperature: 15.556°C/60°F Wet Bulb Temperature: 14.5°C/58.2°F Bottom Depth: 287 m Sky: Clear

A look through a square window on a ship with water droplets on it, some rope handing down and a view of the open ocean. Superimposed on this image is the title "My Office View."

My Office View

Close-up of a navigation screen displaying marine charts, GPS coordinates, speed, and time information, with a focus on a specific waypoint labeled 'PISCES'. — *Monitors with the station track*

A student holding a paper and examining a map, with rubber duck figures placed on various locations. Another student smiles while seated at the table, engaged in the activity. — *Students plotting coordinates for Duck Current Lab*
*(photo courtesy of York High School)*

We are well into our cruise and have been sampling around the Mid-Atlantic today. Each morning, >clears throat<….at 3 am, I can plan my day from my office window. Luckily, there is high-tech navigational equipment that lets me view my Time To Go (TTG) for the upcoming station and the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), since I already understand coordinates and navigation. My students, however, get to label a blank map to illustrate understanding of coordinates when they complete the Duck Current lab.

The first of the drifters has been deployed, YORKYO DRIFT, at coordinates 39°50.206’N 70°35.161’W! Shout out, YHS Class of 2026, congratulations!

These are geographic coordinates in the electronic format used by maritime digital equipment. They tell you exactly where a place is on Earth using two measurements:

Latitude (39°50.206’ N)
Think of latitude like the horizontal lines on a globe (like rings around a ball).
39° (degrees) → how far north you are from the Equator
50.206’ (minutes) → a more precise measurement within that degree
N → means North of the Equator

Longitude (70°35.161’ W)
Longitude lines run up and down from pole to pole.
70° (degrees) → how far west you are from the Prime Meridian
35.161’ (minutes) → extra precision
W → means West of the Prime Meridian

Tossing (deploying) the ball (drifter) –Shout Out Class of 2026

view down the railing of NOAA Ship Pisces as Amber pushes a drifting buoy over the edge into the ocean. the buoy and its wrapped up drogue are pictured mid-air.

close-up view of the side the buoy. on the white portion Amber has used a black marker to write the words "YHS C/O 2026"

Science and Technology Log

Research

Although our focus is on areas where Atlantic Mackerel have historically been, the featured fish for this day of sampling is the monkfish. This is due to the fact that the ocean had not yet produced any larvae large enough to be distinguishable in a photo. Your Atlantic Mack girl really said no paparazzi today! Refer back to the last blog about the expert scientist in Poland identifying fish larvae.

A close-up view of a fish eggs floating in the water, displaying translucent veil. — *Monkfish Egg Veil. Photo from New England Aquarium*.

A close-up of a larval fish partially biting a white cloth, resting on a mesh surface with water and plankton. — *Juvenile monkfish*

The U.S. commercial monkfish fishery spans the Gulf of Maine to the Mid-Atlantic, extending to the continental shelf edge. Female monkfish produce large, ribbon-like egg veils that can contain over one million eggs. These veils drift near the ocean surface with prevailing currents for one to three weeks, depending on temperature, before breaking apart and releasing the developing larvae. Commercial fishing for these fish, like many species, can often result in bycatch. Trawl gear is primarily used in northern waters, while gillnets dominate in the south. Because monkfish are often caught alongside groundfish, this fishery is closely linked to the Northeast multispecies fishery. Management relies on days-at-sea limits and trip caps to ensure sustainability. There is no targeted recreational fishery and monkfish are harvested for human consumption. U.S. wild-caught monkfish is a sustainable seafood choice, supported by strict federal management and responsible harvesting practices.

Another surprise in the zooplankton samples that wanted a photo opportunity was a larval squid. The organisms found in the bongo are mostly classified as plankton. Many of you might recall that organisms that cannot swim freely against the current are considered plankton. This is the reason they appear in the bongo; most organisms that have advanced far enough in their juvenile development have the ability to swim out of the nets.

Juvenile Squid From 150 m Sample

A group of people, wearing safety gear, gather around a woman in an orange jumpsuit who is holding a small object, a squid specimen, on a boat deck. — **Teacher LaMonte showing off her cool zooplankton find** *(photo credit Katey Maranci*k)

Two students in safety goggles and gloves conducting a biology dissection of a squid specimen in a laboratory setting. — Students dissecting squid
***(photo courtesy of York High School)***

Scientific Concepts

Group of four students in a school hallway, some wearing playful costumes, with one lying on the floor and others engaging in lively interaction. — *Students completing the survivorship types lab (photo courtesy of York High School*

Most of you are already aware that when it comes to fish reproduction, it is a numbers game. Some of you remember that fish are an example of an r- strategist life history type. In general, r-selected species have short lifespans and produce many offspring that require little or no parental care, unlike the k-strategists these students were mimicking.

Diagram illustrating fish reproductive strategies categorized as Opportunistic, Periodic, and Equilibrium, featuring various fish types with labeled characteristics and color coding for different species. — Model results showing where fish species (represented by colored dots) fall among three life history strategies. (Webstory: Scientists Can Predict Traits for All Fish Worldwide)

Scientists can now model and predict growth, survival and reproductive patterns across fish species. A species’ life history strategy reflects the specific combination of traits it has evolved to thrive in its environment and ecological niche. Using a framework of traits, including size, growth rate, reproduction, lifespan and parental care, researchers have classified more than 34,000 fish species into three primary strategy types.

Fish Life Cycle

Egg Stage
From spawning → hatching
Eggs vary in size, shape, and color depending on the species.
Inside the egg, an embryo develops.
Scientists identify eggs by observing:
- Egg size and shape
- The yolk (food supply)
- Embryo development

Yolk-Sac Stage
From hatching → yolk used up
Newly hatched fish are called larvae.
They carry a yolk sac that provides food.
Some species skip this stage and hatch more developed.

magnified view of a larval fish in a sample dish — Left: *Mychtophidae (Lantern Fish) larvae from a 200 m bongo sample*.
Right: adult lantern fish. Photo from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
(Creature Feature: Lanternfishes/)

a lantern fish, with a narrow body, rounded head and hints of bioluminescence, photographed against a black background. possibly underwater. — Left: *Mychtophidae (Lantern Fish) larvae from a 200 m bongo sample*.
Right: adult lantern fish. Photo from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
(Creature Feature: Lanternfishes/)

Preflexion Stage (featured in the Mychtophidae larvae above)
After yolk is gone → tail begins bending
Larvae begin feeding on their own.
Scientists observe:
- Body shape
- Early fin development (you can see the fin begin to develop in the Mychotophidae above)
- Color patterns (you can see the color begin to develop in the Mychotophidae above)

Flexion Stage
The tail (notochord) bends upward. The tail fin starts forming.

Postflexion Stage
Tail fully formed → before metamorphosis
Fins and body features continue developing.
It becomes easier to identify the species.

Transformation Stage
The fish changes from larva to juvenile.
Changes may include:
- Body shape
- Color patterns
- Fin position
- Development of scales

Juvenile Stage
Young fish → adulthood
The fish looks like a small adult. This stage ends when the fish can reproduce.

Methodology

A close-up of multiple Mauve jellyfish in a pot, with its translucent purple body resting on a layer of mixed plankton and water. — Mauve Jellyfish from a 200 m bongo station

Plankton span an extraordinary size range, from just a few micrometers to several centimeters or more. In general, phytoplankton (plant-like organisms) are the smallest, while zooplankton tend to be larger, though both groups exhibit variability in size. What may appear as minor differences to the human eye often translate into significant biological contrasts; for instance, a cylindrical organism measuring 3 mm in length has approximately 27 times the body volume of a similar organism measuring 1 mm. At each station, we conduct a double oblique tow with a bongo net diameter suitable for capturing zooplankton. Sometimes we end up with a large quantity of big zooplankton like these Mauve Jellyfish.

Plankton nets are designed to sample large volumes of water, concentrating organisms into a manageable sample size for analysis. Although plankton are often highly abundant, collecting a representative sample, particularly for less common species, requires filtering large volumes of seawater.

Close-up view of a metallic container with a blue and white fabric inside, featuring a transparent syringe-like device (flowmeter) resting on top. — *Flowmeter at opening of one bongo net*

By equipping nets with flowmeters, researchers can accurately estimate the volume of water passing through the net. This enables plankton counts to be standardized as a concentration per unit volume. For example, if 200 organisms are collected from a tow that filtered 2 cubic meters of seawater, the resulting concentration is 100 organisms per cubic meter. Standardizing measurements in this way allows for equivalent comparisons across samples, even when the filtered volumes differ.

Careers

Katey Marancik studies the ecology of ichthyoplankton collected through long-term monitoring programs on the Northeast U.S. shelf. She earned a B.S. in marine biology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and her M.S. in biology at East Carolina University (ECU). Her work focuses on improving larval fish identification through refined taxonomic descriptions, as well as examining patterns in abundance, distribution and environmental relationships.

In addition to her research, Katey is a published scientist who uses visual communication as a tool to make scientific concepts clearer and more accessible to both specialized and broader audiences. Some of her illustrations of Hake have been published to update the morphological descriptions of the larval stage in the Northeast United States Continental Shelf. The work she does reinforces the value of the natural sciences and real-world observations. The analysis and coordination of ichthyoplankton sampling adds validity to the digital sampling of water quality parameters conducted during ecosystem monitoring surveys. In a world of high tech and AI, be a natural scientist. Katey is truly an environmental steward of our oceans.

A woman sitting at a desk with multiple computer monitors and equipment, speaking into a microphone in a control room. There are papers and tools visible on the desk. — *Watch Chief Katey Marancik, a Research Fishery Biologist with NOAA, radioes the deck crew the depths for bongo sampling.*

Illustration of different stages of fish development: A shows a larval fish at 2.2 mm, B at 3.3 mm, C at 4.3 mm, and D at 6 mm, with corresponding images of each stage. — *Watch Chief Katey Marancik, a Research Fishery Biologist with NOAA, radioes the deck crew the depths for bongo sampling.*

Personal Log

Some mornings, I immediately have to put on my foul-weather gear and head out onto the deck because the ship is stopped at one of our sampling stations. Other mornings, I grab a coffee and open my computer to blog. But regardless of how my shift begins, I get to see the first light of day around 4:15 am, and I feel as though I could quite literally seize the day! Watching the sun rise is just something special, an unused part of the day just for yourself. On my usual morning commute across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, I often wish to just stop and watch the day begin.

view into a storage area with a rack of orange coats and overalls and a shelf of hard hats; we can also see boots and buckets nearby

view of a metal table containing lab equipment

Amber, wearing her Teacher at Sea beanie, takes a selfie by a railing of the ship at sunrise; calm waters are illuminated by orange pastels.

1 & 2- Foul Weather Gear that I don about 8 times a day. 3 – The wet lab. 4 – Beautiful sunrise on stern. 5 – My Emergency Billet Locations.

We participate in safety drills on the ship just like we do when we are in school, except… one is called “Man Overboard”! For that drill, we have to go to the top level of the ship, called the Fly Bridge, and point to the person we see in the water. Unless we can spot the person before the Fly Bridge, in which case we stay and point and yell “man overboard.”

A small rescue boat navigating through calm ocean waters, with crew members visible on a larger vessel in the foreground. — *Rescue boat coming back after “Man Overboard” drill*

Did You Know?

NOAA vessel discharges are governed by EPA Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) regulations and international MARPOL standards, with requirements determined by proximity to shore. On this sail date we had sampling stations closer inshore and the NOAA Ship Pisces had to follow different discharge plans based on our locations.

Inshore (< 3 NM): Discharge controls are most restrictive within U.S. state waters. Untreated sewage (blackwater) is prohibited and must be processed through an approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) or retained in holding tanks. Graywater discharge is tightly limited and, in some sanctuary areas, fully prohibited. Additional protections apply in marine protected areas; for example, both treated and untreated blackwater discharges are banned within 12 nautical miles of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Offshore (> 3 NM): Regulations allow greater flexibility but remain controlled. Treated sewage may be discharged using an approved MSD, while untreated sewage is only permitted beyond 12 nautical miles from land. Graywater discharge (excluding toilet & kitchen is generally allowed in open waters beyond 3 nautical miles. Food waste must be macerated to less than one inch and discharged outside 3 nautical miles; unprocessed waste is restricted to distances greater than 12 nautical miles.

https://www.epa.gov/vessels-marinas-and-ports/vessel-incidental-discharge-act-vida

A document outlining the PISCES Plan of the Day for June 5, 2026, including a schedule of operations, training, and meetings, accompanied by a station list and weather summary. — *NOAA Ship Pisces plan of the day*

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

Jennifer Widdig: Readying for Life Aboard a Research Vessel, June 2, 2026

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jennifer Widdig
Aboard NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson
June 17 – June 30, 2026

Mission: Hydrographic Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario

Date: June 2, 2026

A New Adventure Begins

Welcome! My name is Jen, and I call the small town of Minford, Ohio, home. For the past decade, I have had the privilege of teaching a variety of life science courses at Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center in Chillicothe, Ohio. While environmental and animal sciences have been at the heart of my teaching career, I am now preparing for a brand-new chapter that is as exciting as it is unfamiliar.

This upcoming school year, I will be stepping into a role that is not only new to me but also new to our school. My focus will be supporting students through online coursework across multiple subject areas while helping ensure they earn the credentials necessary for graduation. It is a unique opportunity to combine education, technology, and student success in ways I have never experienced before, and I am eager to see where this path leads.

One thing I have learned throughout my career is to embrace opportunities that challenge me to grow. That mindset has taken me far beyond the walls of a classroom. Over the years, I have had the incredible opportunity to travel to Belize, Tanzania, Malaysia, and Peru. These experiences allowed me to collaborate with educators and researchers, participate in meaningful projects, volunteer in communities around the world, and gain perspectives that continue to influence both my personal and professional life.

Amazon Rainforest, Peru
Amazon Rainforest, Peru
Belize Classroom
Malaysia
Belize
Malaysia
Orphanage in Tanzania, Africa
Orphanage in Tanzania, Africa
Belize Classroom
Amazon Rainforest, Peru

Now, I am preparing for an entirely different kind of adventure.

For two weeks, I will be living and working aboard a research hydrography vessel on Lakes Erie and Ontario. Unlike my previous international experiences, this opportunity will immerse me in the daily life of a scientific research crew as they collect data, map underwater features, and contribute to our understanding of the Great Lakes. It is a chance to experience science in action, learn from experts in the field, and gain firsthand knowledge of the technology and research that support navigation, environmental monitoring, and resource management.

As someone who has spent years teaching science, I am excited to step into the role of learner once again. There is something humbling and inspiring about leaving your comfort zone and diving into an entirely new environment especially when that environment happens to be a research vessel floating across two of North America’s most significant freshwater ecosystems.

As I prepare to trade lesson plans for lake charts and classrooms for the deck of a research vessel, I am reminded that some of the best learning happens when we step into unfamiliar territory. This blog will serve as a real-time account of that experience. I’ll share the sights, the science, the challenges, and the unexpected moments that come with living aboard a hydrographic survey vessel. From learning the day-to-day operations of the crew to exploring the technology used to map the lake floor. I hope you’ll join me as I navigate life aboard the Thomas Jefferson, explore the science of the Great Lakes, and embrace this adventure one day at a time.

Mapping the Ocean with NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program

Before embarking on my adventure, I want to share some information about the agency, program and vessel.

NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson (Credit: NOAA)

NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program is an exciting opportunity that allows educators to step out of their schools and onto research vessels to experience real-world science firsthand. The organization behind this adventure is NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that studies and protects our oceans, atmosphere, weather, climate, and coastal resources. From forecasting hurricanes and tracking marine life to mapping the ocean floor, NOAA’s mission is to better understand our planet and help keep people safe.

Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have participated in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program, joining scientists aboard research vessels and bringing their experiences back to classrooms across the country. Teachers become part of the science team, helping collect data while sharing photos, blogs, and lessons that connect students to real scientific discoveries.

Teachers selected for the program observe and actively participate. Depending on the mission, they may deploy equipment, record scientific observations, monitor instruments, assist with data collection, and take part in safety drills. Research operations run 24 hours a day, and teachers often work alongside scientists during 12-hour shifts.

For my mission, I will be aboard NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson, a hydrographic survey vessel. The 208-foot ship can travel nearly 19,200 nautical miles and remain at sea for up to 45 days. The Thomas Jefferson is essentially a floating science laboratory. Its mission is to map the seafloor, support maritime commerce, improve coastal resilience, and provide data used to update the nation’s nautical charts. These charts help ships navigate safely through coastal waters and busy ports.

Hydrography is the study and measurement of underwater features and navigable waterways. Just as cartographers create maps of mountains and rivers on land, hydrographers map the hidden landscape beneath the water’s surface. Their work helps identify shallow areas, underwater hazards, shipwrecks, and other features important to safe navigation.

To “see” underwater, the Thomas Jefferson uses advanced technology. Side-scan sonar sends sound waves across the seafloor to create detailed images of underwater objects. Multibeam echo sounders measure water depths with incredible precision and create three-dimensional maps of the ocean floor. The ship also carries smaller survey boats that can reach shallow areas inaccessible to the larger vessel.

Hydrographic data has many uses beyond navigation. Scientists use it to study marine habitats, determine whether the seafloor consists of sand, mud, or rock, support dredging and construction projects, and assist with routing underwater cables and pipelines.

As I prepare to step aboard the Thomas Jefferson, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement, curiosity, and gratitude. This experience is so much more than a professional development opportunity. I get a chance to become a student again, learning directly from scientists and crew members who dedicate their lives to exploring and understanding our oceans. I’ll have the opportunity to see hydrography in action, witness cutting-edge technology mapping parts of the seafloor, and experience life aboard a NOAA research vessel firsthand. Most importantly, I’ll be able to bring these experiences back to my students, sharing not only the science but also the adventure, teamwork, and discovery that happen beyond the walls of a classroom.

June 3, 2026June 3, 2026

Amber LaMonte: Learning to Play the Bongos, June 2, 2026

two pairs of conical nets are suspended above the water at sunrise; the sun illuminates the nets as orange above the darker blue calm waters — Bongo set-up consisting of big and baby bongo sizes being deployed at sunrise

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amber LaMonte

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

May 31 – June 10, 2026

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon)
Geographic Area of Cruise: Southern New England
Date: June 2, 2026

Data from the Bridge
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 9:23 AM
Latitude: 40° 18.872’ N
Longitude: 070° 30.000’ W
Doppler Wind Speed: 9.97 knots (kt)
True Wind Speed: 1.56 knots (kt)
Wave Height: 4’
Air Temperature: 11.11°C/52°F
Wet Bulb Temperature: 8.3°C/46.9°F
Bottom Depth: 98 m
Sky: Clear

view up through the mast and rigging at a column of nautical flags strung vertically down a line

screenshot from Marine Traffic website showing all of the ship traffic southeast of Massachussetts; Pisces is selected, and a sidebar off to the right displays basic info

NOAA Ship Pisces’ call sign
https://www.noaa.gov/organization/administration/nao-201-6-official-flags-of-noaa https://www.marinetraffic.com/

As we set sail, the NOAA Ship Pisces displays its unique combination of signal flags as the call sign. Remember, you can follow along in real time on the Marine Traffic site.

Science and Technology Log

Research

The data collected from the Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) survey is used by numerous research facilities, as well as the scientists at NOAA. Since NOAA is a federal agency, the data they collect is publicly available. Additionally, many research facilities, such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), University of Rhode Island (URI) and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, work collaboratively and will utilize ship time on the vessel when space is available. On this expedition, URI is on board, utilizing the chem lab to run an Imaging Flow Cytobot (IFCB).

The focus for the NOAA science team is on collecting and processing samples to monitor the ecosystem health of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and ground truth to the imaging provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The data includes plankton samples (both zooplankton and phytoplankton), inorganic carbon, nutrients, conductivity (salinity), temperature and depth (CTD).

The primary study organism for this survey, with set sampling goals, is the Atlantic Mackerel. Given the sampling equipment size & techniques, the goal is to collect Atlantic Mackerel larvae or eggs. Since this focus is on fish, the samples can be referred to as ichthyoplankton. These samples will be sent to Poland, where scientists with expertise in identifying fish larvae will process them and then share the data as part of an ongoing scientific collaboration.

close up view - through a microscope - of a larval fish in a gooey substrate. the fish has a striking light blue eye that stands out from the speckled tan surroundings of the plankton sample. — *A gadiform fish larva in a plankton sample*

Scientific Concepts

We use Bongo nets to monitor ecosystem health. By lowering them deep into the water column, we can sample organisms that migrate vertically, staying in the dark depths during the day and rising to feed at night. When we haul the nets up, we typically find zooplankton like krill, along with fish larvae and copepods. Analyzing these communities provides valuable insight into primary productivity at the base of the food web, helps identify spawning locations and estimate adult stock sizes, tracks the movement of larval fish to and from nursery habitats, and reveals patterns in ocean current transport.

Tracking the distribution and abundance of these tiny organisms gives us critical data on the base of the food web. This helps us gauge the overall health of the ecosystem and predict the survival of larger, dependent species like whales. Speaking of whales… I have been pulled away from writing this blog several times today to go running (ummm, I mean briskly walking) up four flights of stairs to catch glimpses! We spotted hundreds of Short-Beaked dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, a fin whale, and pilot whales. We have also seen numerous seabird species and several Mola Molas, aka Sunfish! I need a bumper sticker that says, “I break for marine wildlife”. Trying to take photos but with fast-moving organisms, slow-moving Mrs. LaMonte, and a large moving ship is a super challenge!

a black-and-white dolphin mid-leap above bright cerulean waters, followed by at least one other dolphin beneath the water's surface — View of *Short-Beaked Dolphins* off the bow of the ship from the flying deck

Methodology

a simple map of the northeastern United States showing proposed tracklines along the coast as far north as New Hampshire and as far south as Delaware. the x-axis ranges from 77 degrees West to 64 degrees West, while the y-axis ranges from about 35 degrees North to 45 degrees North. the track lines are dotted with occasional larger dots marking proposed sampling locations. — *Proposed cruise track for sampling*

Prior to the mission, the scientists propose a cruise track to stop at the optimal sampling locations, or stations, for their research focus. After setting up their experimental design, the science team submits the proposal to request ship time and resources to complete all planned sampling. Due to ship scheduling constraints, the team often needs to revise the plan to strategically collect data at sites where they can obtain the most valuable data. This survey track was adjusted to include key sites where Atlantic Mackerel are known to spawn. The blue dots represent standard bongo stations; the red dots are for water sampling only and red dots with a black circle indicate both water sampling and bongos. The green dots in Southern New England are bongo stations specifically within wind energy areas.

Looking at the map, you can see where NOAA scientists have divided the area by latitude, since this yields similarities in coastal temperatures. First, the region is divided into the subregions of the Gulf of Maine, Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic. Then those subregions are ordered by bathymetry (measurements of the seafloor). Upper, middle, and lower shelves have different zone characteristics, such as light and temperature. The shelf regions are then mathematically divided (thanks to geometry) to enable more uniform population calculations.

a man wearing a hard hat, life vest, and blue gloves stands on the deck of a ship near a railing, facing away from the camera. he reaches his hands up to hold a line extending out of the frame above his head. Two nets, metal rings a the top and long mesh socks extending down the length of the deck, lay on deck ready for deployment. — *AB (Able Seaman) Nick Granozio raises the bongo setup over the edge of the ship* during sunrise with moon still up

a view of two computer monitors, one mounted above the other, in a lab. the top monitor displays several video feeds, while the bottom monitor displays a nautical chart and baythmetry model — *Monitors with the track locations with parameters and video feed of the bongo deployments*

Within the site divisions, some locations are designated sites that each science team consistently samples for ecosystem health as ongoing reference points. Additionally, there are 3-5 sites within that strata that are then randomly sampled during each cruise. Samples at Station 23-SNE-5, with 23 representing the strata, SNE representing the geographic region and 5 representing the random sample site, are the ones being collected at this station.

The plankton samples are collected using bongos, a pulley system equipped with a cable that deploys the nets into the water column. Typically, at the codend (narrow end), a detachable collection bucket captures and retains the zooplankton sample, enabling efficient transport to the laboratory for further analysis.

For missions in the open waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, a modification has been made: folding the cod end and tightly securing it with nylon rope. This way prevents cracked sample bottles or striking hazards from rough seas and strong ocean currents.

Once the bongo has been raised back up by the AB (Able Body) deck crew, we then hose them down thoroughly with seawater, rinsing down any plankton stuck to the top of the net into the codend. Untie the rope, rinse through a sieve, and then store in either formalin or ethanol, depending on the study purpose. In addition to the main big bongos, a set of baby bongos are sent down. The nets for both the big and baby plankton tows come in various sizes and are changed out depending on the specifications for each sampling station.

Amber hoses down the bongo nets
Student plankton nets
Plankton in sieve
Emptying sieve
AB Todd Fatkin deploying the bongo nets

Playing (hosing) the big bongos. 2. A look back at our student-designed plankton tows last year. (Photo courtesy of York High School.) Little did I know that I needed to teach you all how to play the bongos! 3. & 4. Preserving plankton in formalin. 5. AB-F Deck Crew Todd Fatkin deploying bongos.

Careers

a woman in an orange life vests stands in the engine room of NOAA Ship Pisces, wearing a life vest. in front of her are a large cooler and a plastic bin with a fitted lid. she points to a hose attached to a large piece of equipment and watches another crewmember, the view of whom mostly obscured by the equipment. — *Watch Chief Amanda Jacobsen, a Biological Lab Technician with NOAA, troubleshoots a leak*

Amanda Jacobsen serves as a Watch Chief for this mission. Displaying excellent teamwork skills to repair a seawater hose leak that occurred as we initially set sail, she recognized there was no time to waste and located the leak and an alternate flow route prior to the ship’s engineering team arriving.

Based at the NOAA Fisheries laboratory in Rhode Island, Amanda regularly participates in NOAA research cruises like this one. She developed a strong interdisciplinary foundation with coursework spanning biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and environmental law.

She is also currently pursuing her master’s degree in marine biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her graduate research focuses on the energy content of plankton and its role within the marine food web. Understanding energy flow at the base of the food pyramid is essential for managing and sustaining all higher trophic levels. This background now informs a comprehensive understanding of marine ecosystems and the many factors that influence them.

Personal Log

portrait photo of a young woman standing at the railing of the ship and smiling for the camera. the water is calm blue-gray and the sky is filled with clouds. — *Ava Cieplinski, recent marine biology*
*graduate from URI*

My shipmate Ava, a Rhode Island local, gave me a narrated tour of Narragansett Bay as the ship began its underway operations. She recently graduated with a B.S. in marine biology and has worked in various field study roles with the state in and around local waterways.

Narragansett Bay, situated along the northern edge of Rhode Island Sound, spans approximately 147 miles. It is the largest estuary in New England, serving as a vast natural harbor that supports both environmental diversity and maritime activity. The bay also encompasses a small archipelago formed by the melting of glaciers after the last ice age. As the ice sheet stalled and retreated, the region became ice-free about 14,000 years ago. A shifting mix of sea-level rise and land rebound alternately flooded and exposed the landscape. Rising seas eventually inundated the valley, permanently transforming it into an estuary.

selfie photo of Amber, wearing a green hard hat and orange life vest, standing at the railing of the ship at sunrise. the water is a beautiful aquamarine and the sunrise is orange-yellow, fading to blue. — Amber at sea

I think being at sea is absolutely magnificent! I am assigned to the 3 AM to 3 PM shift and getting up at 2 AM is not even suitable for early sea birds, but my commute to work is 60 seconds and I wouldn’t want to miss a single sunrise out on the North Atlantic Ocean! I boarded the ship with my sea legs all ready to go and we have had great weather with fair winds. The entire team has been so welcoming, both science and ship crew and I feel like a special guest. Look for the next post when I share about boat life and safety.

Did You Know?

The ichthyoplankton samples that are sent to Poland are part of a legacy project collaboration that has been ongoing for over 50 years. The project began when, after World War II, there were government funds remaining in Poland that held more value being used in Poland than converting back to U.S. dollars. Polish scientists had developed expertise in fish larval taxonomy as part of monitoring commercial and local fish populations. These scientists began training and collaborating with scientists in American waters, and the partnership between our governments remains to this day.