NOAA Teacher at Sea
Susan Just
Onboard NOAA Ship Oregon II
June 15 – 30, 2006
Mission: Summer Groundfish Survey
Geographical Area: Gulf of Mexico
Date: June 23, 2006
Weather Data from Bridge
Visibility: 10 nautical miles (nm)
Wind direction: 300 ◦
Wind speed: 11
Sea wave height: 1-2
Swell wave height: 2-3
Seawater temperature: 27.2
Sea level pressure: 1016.3
Cloud cover: 3/8 Cumulus
Science and Technology Log
This was a day when we were never able to catch up with the fish. There were constantly fish on the deck waiting to be sorted. The trawls were frequent and close together. Throughout the night and into the morning, the catch was mostly shrimp. We had a wide assortment of shrimp. All the commercial varieties—brown, white and pink—were well represented, as well as the several types of non-desirable species.
Personal Log
Today was the day I “hit the wall.” I worked myself as hard as I could throughout the shift. The only time that I relaxed at all was when I was watching the dolphin that had followed the net and that was attracting the attention of Brittany. Otherwise, I was working as fast as my brain and body would allow.
Question of the Day
What kind of shrimp do they use to make “popcorn shrimp?”
Answer: Trachypeneus similes! I know that’s a “trachy” question. Trachypeneus shrimp are not considered “commercially viable” at this time. Previously, brown shrimp were not considered to be marketable. As the demand for a product increases, so does its marketability.
