NOAA Teacher at Sea
John Sammons
Onboard NOAA Ship Albatross IV
July 25 – August 4, 2005
Mission: Ecosystem Survey
Geographic Region: Northeast U.S.
Date: August 1, 2005
Weather Data from the bridge
Latitude: 42° 5’ N
Longitude: 67° 28’ W
Visibility: undetermined
Wind direction: E ( 107 degrees)
Wind speed: 12 knots
Sea wave height: 3’
Swell wave height: 0’
Sea water temperature: 14°C
Sea level pressure: 1022.2 millibars
Cloud cover: 30% Partly cloudy,cumulus
Questions of the Day: What makes a scallop a predator? Is a scallop a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore? What is the scallop prey to?
Yesterday’s Answer:
Science and Technology Log
Facts About Sea Scallops*
- Largest wild scallop fishery in the world
- Most valuable fishery in Northeast US
- 2004 landings were about 28,000 meats (63 million lbs) worth over $300 million
- Most landings come from about 300 vessels with “limited access” permits
- Principal ports are New Bedford MA, Cape May NJ, Hampton Roads VA
- Typical vessel is 70-90’ and uses two 15’ dredges
- Most fishing occurs in the Mid-Atlantic area (Virginia to Long Island) and on Georges Bank
- Sea scallops have an upper temperature tolerance of about 21 C.
- Most important scallop predators are: sea stars, crabs and other decapods
- Because they are filter-feeders, their main source of food is phytoplankton in the floor to surface water column.
*Thanks to Dvora Hart, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, for supplying the scallop information.
On Monday, the ALBATROSS IV began surveying more open areas. Sunday’s 6 – midnight watch experienced very large catches as they sampled the closed areas from the Canada line westward. I got an opportunity to operate on a Goosefish in order to take a vertebrate sample. This will be used to determine the age of the fish. The catches are significantly small since we entered an open area for fishing. With beautiful weather ahead of us, we should be able to continue to enjoy the sorting time as well as time on deck to relax. The weekly fire and abandon ship drills were held today.
Personal Log
Life at Sea
Working two shifts makes it hard to fully stay awake,
But ignoring the wakeup call could be a big mistake.
So much to choose from when it’s finally time to eat,
Better be there when it is your time to get a decent seat.
Take a minute or two to rest while the ship is on a steam,
When it’s time to go to bed, enjoy that time to dream.