NOAA Teacher at Sea
Ashley Cosme
Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II
August 31 – September 14, 2018
Mission: Shark/Red Snapper Longline Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Mexico
Date: September 7th, 2018
Weather Data from the Bridge:
- Latitude: 28 30.4N
- Longitude: 95 07.0W
- Wind speed: 9 Knots
- Wind direction: 130 (from Southeast)
- Sky cover: Scattered
- Visibility: 10 miles
- Barometric pressure: 1016.0 atm
- Sea wave height: 1-2 feet
- Sea Water Temp: 30.4°C
- Dry Bulb: 27.8°C
- Wet Bulb: 25.7°C
Science and Technology Log:
Each piece of equipment is pulled back aboard the boat in the same order that it was deployed into the water. The numbered gangions are pulled up one by one and if there is a shark attached to the hook it is brought aboard for data collection. Larger sharks are brought up to the side of the vessel using a cradle.
Data that is collected for the sharks caught include the following:
#1 Length:
- Precaudal Length: The length of the shark from the nose to the beginning of the caudal fin.
- Fork Length: The length of the shark from the nose to the fork of the caudal fin.
- Natural Length: The length of the shark from the nose to the end of the caudal fin as it naturally lies.
- Total Length: The length of the shark from the nose to the end of the caudal fin when stretched to its greatest length.
Measurements taken for an Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)
#2 Weight: The weight of the shark is measured in kilograms.
#3 M-Tag Number: An M-tag is inserted at the base of the dorsal fin, and it contains a specific number to identify the shark.
#4 Roto Tag Number: Roto tags are used on smaller shark individuals, and are clipped to the center of the dorsal fin.
Once all measurements are taken, and the shark has been tagged, it is released back into the water.
Personal Log:
I couldn’t have been placed on a better Teacher at Sea assignment. The entire NOAA team has been patient with me and willing to go out of their way to make sure I am enjoying my experience. It is evident that the NOAA scientists are passionate about their work, as they are so eager to share every interesting detail no matter how small.
Animals Seen:
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
Gulf Smooth-hound Shark (Mustelus sinusmexicanus)
Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)
Blacknose Shark (Carcharhinus acronotus)
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps)
Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuate)