NOAA Teacher at Sea
Heather Diaz
Onboard NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan
July 6 – 15, 2006
Mission: Juvenile Shark Abundance Survey
Geographical Area: U.S. West Coast
Date: July 10, 2006
Science and Technology Log
They set a swordfish line at around midnight, and we hauled it in around 6am. We caught one blue shark and one pelagic ray. We then set the first shark set at around 8am. We hauled in the line around noon. We caught one blue shark and 6 mako sharks, though one of the makos escaped with the gangion, leader, and hook still attached.
After that set, we headed for Santa Catalina Island where we would have liberty ashore. We were taken over to the port at Avalon by João Alves on the skiff, I went over with Natalie Spear, Karina De La Rosa-Mesa, and Chico Gomez. Everyone, except those on watch, was allowed to go ashore. Even the CO, Alexandra Von Saunder was able to make a quick visit to Avalon. Most people shopped and/or had dinner in a restaurant. A few people even went swimming at the beach! Everyone had to be back aboard the ship by 11pm. Karina De La Rosa-Mesa and I went back to the ship with Sean Suk and João Alves on the skiff at 9:45pm.
Personal Log
Again, sea lions and dolphins were playing nearby today. I tried to get pictures/video of them, but it doesn’t come out well on tape. I love watching them…they are so graceful, and they really look like they are having a great time playing! One sad thing happened today during our sets…one shark got away. Someone dropped the leader line in the water and he took off. We can only hope that he is able to work the hook out on his own, soon.
Everyone was very excited to be given liberty ashore tonight in Avalon. There are several people who have had the chance to come to Catalina before, so they are especially looking forward to this excursion. Catalina has changed so much since I was there 25 years ago! There are many more houses and condos now near the harbor. Though, the town and the touristy areas are pretty much the same. We enjoyed shopping and walking through the tiny streets. And, seeing the golf carts everywhere was very amusing. The Wrigley Mansion, which sits above the harbor is very beautiful, and many of the homes on the hill over the harbor are just fantastic. The moonrise was amazing, as it came over the hill…I think it was a full moon. Everyone in town seemed to be having a great time, and it was nice to be walking on land for a change (though, it did feel like the whole island was still moving with the rolling of the waves, even though I know it wasn’t!). I am looking forward to finding the pictures we took of the island when I was a child to compare them to today…I bet a lot has changed!
