NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kristin Hennessy-McDonald
Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II
September 15-September 30, 2018
Mission: Shark/Red Snapper Longline Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Mexico
Date: September 20, 2018
Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 2759.75N
Longitude: 09118.52W
Sea Wave Height: 0m
Wind Speed: 3.72 knots
Wind Direction: 166.48֯
Visibility: 10 nautical miles
Air Temperature: 31.1
Sky: 5% cloud cover
Science and Technology Log
We’ve been out at sea for three full days now and have traveled along the Gulf coast from Alabama to Texas. The Science Team has run mostly shallow longline sets during this time, meaning that we have fished in depths from 9 to 55 meters. As we move forward, we will fish stations at these depths and stations at depths of 55 to 183 meters, and from 183 to 366 meters. The locations of the stations are randomized based on depth and the area that is being fished. Due to the weather that hit south Texas the week before we joined this leg of the survey, we have been fishing the area that was impassable on the last leg of the survey.
As a member of the science team, there are five jobs that need to be done on each side of the set. When the line is being cast, someone needs to release the highflyer, clip numbers, sling the bait, work the computer, or cleanup. When the line comes in, there is a data collector, 2 fish handlers, a hook collector, and the computer person. The highflyer is the marker that is put on either end of the line, so that the line can be seen from the bridge. The data that is collected on paper and on the computer on each fish includes the number of the hook that they are on, species, length, and gender. Additionally, some sharks are tagged and a fin clip is taken.
After a line is set, we check the water using a CTD (Conductivity Temperature Depth) Probe. It has a GoPro video recorder that takes a video of the water and the sea floor at the site of the line.
A few of the highlights from the catches so far: We had one catch that was coming up with mostly empty hooks, but then we caught a scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini). The shark was large enough that we used a cradle to pull it up to deck level. I got to insert the tag right below the dorsal fin.
We had another survey that caught 49 sharks, including Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae), Blacknose Sharks (Carcharhinus acronotus), Spinner Sharks (Carcharhinus brevipinna), and Blacktip Sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus). Between these, we had a number of lines that brought up some sharks and a few Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus). I have been able to dissect some of the Red Snapper, and collect their otoliths, which are their ear bones.
In the time between setting and retrieving lines, one of the ways we kept ourselves busy was by cleaning shark jaws that we had collected. I look forward to using these in my classroom as an example of an apex predator species adaptation.
Personal Log
During much the 12 hours of off time, I spend my time in my bunk. Working for 12 hours in the hot sun is exhausting, and it’s nice to have the room to myself while I try to get some rest. Though I share a bunk with another member of the Science Team, we work opposite shifts. So, while I’m on deck, she’s sleeping, and visa versa. As you can see, my daughter sent me with her shark doll, which I thought was appropriate, given that I was taking part in shark research on this ship.
While we were going slow one day, we had a pod of dolphins who swam along with us for a while. They were right beside the ship, and I was able to get a video of a few of them surfacing next to us.
Did You Know?
Many shark species, including the Atlantic Sharpnose shark, are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. These sharks form a placenta from the yolk sac while the embryo develops.
Quote of the Day
Without sharks, you take away the apex predator of the ocean, and you destroy the entire food chain
~Peter Benchley
Question of the Day
While it is a common misconception that sharks do not get cancer, sharks have been found to get cancer, including chondromas. What type of cancer is that?
Is it kind of sad that when I first saw Apex predators, I thought about the song from Mean Girls the Musical and then the animal group?
Seems like you’re having a lot of fun. Miss seeing you!
I miss you guys too! But I am having a great time learning.
The CTD Probe, when checking the water does it ever change the temperature range?
Awesome question. The temperature does decrease as we get lower…so does the oxygen content.
Was it comfortable to sleep on the bed while moving on the cruise ship
Excellent question. The bed was fine, but the first few nights the movement of the boat did keep me awake.
What information did you get from collecting the red snappers’ ear bones?
Chondrosarcoma is cancer of the cartilage.
Do you only catch the snappers with the net or do you fish for them as well?
Wow, the sharks in the video were so small. Also, can you show us some of the videos you took using the CTD Probe?