NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

August 16, 2024August 19, 2024

Tonya Prentice: Time for Bongos, August 15, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Tonya Prentice

Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow

August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Date: August 15, 2024

Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 42.26980º N
Longitude: 66.08756º W
Wind Speed: 11 mph due N
Air Temperature: 15.4° Celsius (59.7° F)
Sea Temperature: 18.2 Celsius (64.8° F)

Science and Technology Log

Behind the Scenes: Collecting Plankton Samples on Our Mission
During this mission, we will be collecting plankton samples from over 120 stations in the Gulf of Maine and further south along the East Coast (see the figure below; Summer ECOMON Track Lines).

a political map of the waters of the northeastern shelf, focused on Newport, RI, extending as far north as Southern Maine and as far south as eastern New Jersey. a bright green icon approximately the shape of a vessel sits on Newport, surrounded by radial lines marking every 30 degrees. large blue dots throughout the coastal waters mark sampling stations. They are connected by straight black line segments showing the track of the survey. there are also some smaller black dots connected by bright green line segments. extra labels mark Georges Bank (east of Cape Cod), Maine, and Mount Desert Island. — Summer EcoMon Track Lines

But why focus on plankton? Plankton are the foundation of all oceanic food webs, crucial for the survival of larger fish, marine mammals, and birds. Any changes in plankton biomass can have ripple effects throughout the entire ocean ecosystem, impacting a wide range of species.

By studying plankton, we gain insights into the health of our oceans. The data collected from these samples will be invaluable in estimating the populations of certain fish species and identifying key spawning areas. Moreover, we can observe how fish populations are shifting or altering their habitats in response to environmental changes and other stressors. (NOAA Fisheries)

Collecting plankton samples during this mission is a collaborative effort, requiring the expertise of the NOAA Corp, engineers, deckhands, survey technicians, and scientists. Together, we work to deploy, retrieve, and prepare the plankton samples for research.

We use two types of Bongo nets for sampling: Baby Bongos, set in a 20 cm frame, and Big Bongos, set in a 60 cm frame. Each net has a specific purpose: one is labeled “I” for Ichthyoplankton and the other “Z” for Zooplankton. These nets, made from 333 µm mesh, are equipped with flow meters to measure the volume of water filtered during each tow.

Once the Bongo nets are lowered into the water, the Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) sensors immediately start gathering conductivity, temperature, and depth data. The nets are then lowered to about 10 meters above the sea floor and gradually pulled back to the surface. Care is taken to ensure the nets don’t touch the ocean floor, avoiding the need for a recast. Today, for instance, we collected samples from around 230 meters deep!

When the Bongo nets are retrieved, we promptly rinse down the nets to flush the plankton into the codends at the bottom of the nets. The nets are then untied, and the plankton are flushed into a sieve pan.

Next, we carefully rinse the plankton from the sieve into a glass jar, preserving the sample by adding 5% Formalin. The jar is then topped off with seawater, labeled with the station/event, and inverted several times to ensure the sample is well-mixed. On average, we collect about 32 jars of plankton per day.

Finally, the plankton are ready to be shipped off to a lab to be sorted and counted.

Steps for collecting plankton:

View from a side deck of NOAA Ship Bigelow as chain lowers nets into the water; the openings of the nets are two large round circles, and the fine mesh plankton nets extend down in cones from each ring. Two crewmembers wearing hard hats and life vests stand at the rail to guide the nets down. It is sunset, and the sun is almost at the horizon, creating a band of bright orange between the dark blue water and sky. — 1. Lowering the Bongo Nets into the water.

top down view of two pairs of bongo nets rising out of the ocean. The smaller pair are attached to the cable above the larger pair. Their fine-mesh nets extend in cones beneath circular openings. The sky and the water are gray. — 1. Lowering the Bongo Nets into the water.

Personal Log

Life Aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow: A 24/7 Operation

The NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow never sleeps, which means someone is always awake and hard at work. This is no cruise ship—everyone aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow has a vital role to play. Most crew members work 12-hour shifts, ensuring the ship’s operations continue smoothly around the clock. In addition, all the department crew are responsible for safety drills, and are trained in firefighting and lifesaving equipment.

As part of the science crew, I work from 3 am to 3 pm, while my roommate takes over from 3 pm to 3 am. Our team of scientists are constantly collecting and uploading data to support our mission. Engineers, deckhands, and survey technicians work shifts from 12 am to 12 pm or 12 pm to 12 am.

Engineers keeping everything running efficiently and addressing any technical issues that may arise. They are responsible for the safe and proper operation of a ship’s machinery and equipment and other mechanical and electronic equipment onboard.

Survey technicians assist in the operations, monitoring, handling, and maintenance of various scientific gear. This includes annotating records and recording data; assist in the staging and set-up during preparations for, and at the completion of oceanographic or fishery research. They also perform oceanographic or fisheries observations, measurements, and calculations, assisting in the preparations, installation, deployment and recovery of oceanographic or fishery research equipment. (NOAA Survey Department)

The Deck Department operates the cranes and winches to deploy scientific equipment, and maintain the material condition of the ship. Electronics Technicians maintain the ship’s computer network and vital emergency communication and navigation equipment.

The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) operate and navigate the ship, and monitor oceanographic and atmospheric conditions, ensuring our safety and guiding us through each phase of the mission.

And let’s not forget some of my favorite crew members—the stewards, who keep us well-fed with amazing meals and plenty of delicious snacks.

Given the non-stop nature of our work, it’s important to remember that someone is always sleeping. This means being mindful of your noise level: avoid slamming doors, walk quietly down the halls, and always use your “inside voice” when moving about the ship. When living and working in such close quarters, professionalism, civility, and respect are essential to maintaining a happy and welcoming work environment.

a bulletin board labeled Meet the Crew! Tacked to the board with colored push pins are printed photos of 26 people, grouped by department: NOAA Corps (8 people), Engineering Department (7 people), Electronic Tech Department (2), Survey Department (3), Deck Department (4), Steward Department (2)

Did You Know?
There are currently 42 species of dolphins and seven species of porpoises. (Whale and Dolphin Conservation). Check out these videos captured this week of both Bottlenose and Common Dolphins riding alongside the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow! Can you spot the difference between Bottlenose and Common Dolphins?

Bottlenose Dolphins

Common Dolphins

August 13, 2024August 18, 2024

Tonya Prentice: Getting Ready, August 11, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Tonya Prentice

Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow

August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Date: August 11, 2024

Weather Data from Newport, RI
Latitude: 41.53036 º N
Longitude: 71.31850º W
Wind Speed: SSW at 8 mph
Air Temperature: 25° Celsius (77° F)

Science and Technology Log

Although our mission has been delayed by few days, there is still plenty of work to be done on board the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. The deck crew and engineering department have been working hard to prepare for our departure tomorrow morning.

Today, I had the opportunity to tag along with Kate and Patrick, two of our engineers, to learn more about the pre-check work they were completing. “On board ship, it is very important to keep the updated record of the quantity of liquids (in all forms) present in various tanks.” (Marine in Sight)

As part of the pre-check, Kate and Patrick recorded the readings from sensors, then manually checked the level of each fuel, bilge, and ballast water tank in a process known as “sounding” the tanks. They applied Kolor Kut paste to sound tape in the measurement range reported by the sensors and lowered the tape to the bottom of the tank. Upon retrieval, the paste changes color—from light pink to red for fuel and from brown to red for water—indicating the levels.

Kate and Patrick compared these manual measurements with the sensor readings to ensure the sensors were accurately reporting the levels. Then they used a table to convert the measurements to the number of barrels. Soundings are crucial for identifying leakages or losses of fuel, maintaining the ship’s stability, and ensuring that sufficient fuel and water are aboard for the voyage.

two people kneel on the deck of the ship over an open (uncapped) hole. Kate, left, holds a measuring tape reel and turns the crank. Patrick, right, guides the end of the measuring tape into the reel, gripping it with a rag. An open can of pink glue sits nearby. — Kate (left) and Patrick (right) checking the fuel levels.

Two people stand in the engine room. Patrick, right, holds the tape measure reel. Kate, left, guides the end of the tape measure toward something on the wall. — Kate (left) and Patrick (right) checking the fuel levels.

Personal Log

Meet My Roommates! There are so many amazing people aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow for this mission. I would like to introduce you to my roommates who were kind enough to let me interview them for my blog and share information about their science career paths.

Karen stands in a field holding a Canada goose under her right arm. She wears a long sleeve shirt, black gloves, and a baseball cap. — Karen Beatty (Animals were handled in accordance with state and federal permits.)

Emma stands one what is probably a boat in a marsh and holds up a snake for a photo. She wears orange fish gloves and a green high visibility vest. — Karen Beatty (Animals were handled in accordance with state and federal permits.)

What is your science degree, and how did you become interested in this field?

Emma Venarde recently graduated from Brown University with a double degree in Environmental Science, focused on Environmental Justice, and Music. Emma has always had a love for nature and became passionate about climate change as a child. She joined the Youth Climate Program and realized that she wanted to better understand human impact and discover ways to help humans and other animals and how they are affected by climate change.

Karen Beatty earned her bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Michigan State University, worked as an environmental consultant for five years, and recently graduated with a master’s in Ecology from Penn State University. Initially, Karen was interested in becoming a veterinarian, but she learned that she preferred working with exotic animals and focusing on their behavioral health. This led her to an interest in becoming a zookeeper but eventually transitioned to wildlife biology. For her master’s, Karen aimed to deepen her quantitative knowledge and understanding of anthropogenic disturbances.

What motivated you to become a NOAA at-sea volunteer?

Last summer, Emma participated in the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) and decided to apply for another internship opportunity through NOAA student opportunities. She sought more experience in fieldwork, particularly in collecting data and understanding how it’s used for ocean energy. This unique experience aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow is something she wouldn’t typically get, and she’s thrilled to be part of it.

Karen joined this mission as a fellow of the Knauss Fellowship. She believes this fellowship will not only enhance her fieldwork experience, especially in data collection and analysis but will also help her achieve a federal career aligned with conservation and policy development.

What advice would you give my students who are interested in a science career?

Emma: We need more people who are not just good at understanding science but are also able to communicate, collaborate, and think critically.

Karen: Be well-rounded! Interdisciplinary learning is crucial. Having a solid understanding of and skills in math, communication, policy, and regulations is essential to being a successful scientist.

This is our stateroom, also known as a cabin, that we will be sharing for the next two weeks. It’s a cozy space designed for practicality, consisting of four bunks, a small office area, lockers for our personal belongings, and a bathroom with a shower. While the quarters are tight, it’s amazing how efficiently everything is arranged to make life at sea as comfortable as possible. We’ve settled in nicely, and this space will be our little home away from home as we embark on this exciting mission aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

view of lockers in stateroom; we can see survival suits and life preservers stacked on top — Lockers

view of a small desk, with a computer monitor, next to a locker. — Lockers

Did You Know?

Scup, also known as porgy, “can live a relatively long time, up to about 20 years.” (NOAA Fisheries)

Scup enjoying a snack alongside the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

August 7, 2024

Tonya Prentice: Introduction, August 2, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Tonya Prentice
Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Date: August 2, 2024

Weather Data from Southwest Harbor, Maine
Latitude: 44.2805 º N
Longitude: -68.326º W
Wind Speed: WSW at 11 mph
Air Temperature: 18.89° Celsius (66° F)

Introduction

Hello, my name is Tonya Prentice. I am so excited to begin my adventure aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow for the NOAA Teacher at Sea 2024 Season. I teach middle school science for grades 5-8 on Mount Desert Island, Maine, at Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor. This is my 17th year of teaching, and I am passionate about engaging my students with project-based learning, community service opportunities, and STEM activities.

In my role as an educator, I strive to create engaging and interdisciplinary learning experiences for my students with a focus on ocean literacy. My students are the next generation of environmental stewards. They live on an island, and many of their families are lobstermen and/or fishermen who rely on the health of the ocean. We are fortunate that our school is located in a beautiful area that borders Acadia National Park and is across the street from Bass Harbor. This allows me to take my students hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and exploring the ecosystems all around us.

The health of our ecosystems may be altered in different ways by human impact. It’s vital that my students understand how climate change and coastal flooding may impact their lives in the future. As a NOAA Teacher at Sea, I am excited to bring real-world scientific research into my classroom and inspire my students with firsthand experiences. I look forward to sharing my adventures and discoveries with you, and I hope to ignite a passion for marine science and environmental stewardship in both my students and readers.

Stay tuned for updates from the sea!

A woman and a man pose for a selfie on a kayak in front of glassy water reflecting a lovely sunset. They are wearing sweaters, life vests, beanies, and sunglasses. — Tonya Prentice (right)

six students (with their backpacks) sit in a line, facing away from the camera, on top a large round rock overlooking a small inlet surrounded by forested hills; small islets are visible beyond. — Tonya Prentice (right)

Science and Technology Log

Next week, I will board the 209 ft. NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow in Newport, Rhode Island.

“The ship is named after Henry Bryant Bigelow (1879-1967), an oceanographer, zoologist, and marine biologist whose work helped establish oceanography as a scientific discipline.” (NOAA OMAO.)

NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow “is a fisheries survey vessel built specifically for NOAA to support the study and monitoring of marine fisheries and marine mammals.” (NOAA Ocean Exploration.) The ship conducts both acoustic and trawl surveys and has a wet lab where scientists can collect data about the different species of fish caught.

While aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow, I will have the opportunity to deploy a drifting buoy (also known as a drifter) as part of NOAA’s Adopt-a-Drifter Program. The buoy will collect data such as sea surface temperature, salinity, and ocean currents. This data will then be transmitted hourly to orbiting satellites which my students will be able to monitor.

Aerial view of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. Photo credit: NOAA.

Personal Log

Last week, I attended the University of Maine’s RiSE Coastal TRACERS training.

“The University of Maine-based RiSE Center supports middle and high school students in real-world science research projects, including coastal monitoring and tracking the changes in local ocean water properties, as well as engaging in the design and construction of the sensor units used to collect this data.” (UMaine.)

As part of my training, I toured the “Buoy Barn” at the University of Maine Ocean Observing System (UMOOS). Dr. Neal Pettigrew, professor of oceanography, led the tour while explaining how these moored buoys in the Gulf of Maine help collect data and information about ocean temperatures, salinities, dissolved oxygen, wave heights and periods, and current profiles. “The buoys, designed, fabricated and maintained by Dr. Pettigrew’s team of oceanographers, engineers, computer programmers and research associates, have been transmitting real-time data since 2001.” Such amazing work is happening at the University of Maine!

Two large buoys in a storage shed. They are wide and round at the bottom, to float in the ocean, and towers of sensors and equipment extend upward from each base. The buoys are painted mostly yellow, with blue bottoms and blue lettering: the left buoy reads NOAA and the right reads UPRM. — *Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) Data Buoys*

a large buoy in a storage shed (flanked by other buoys and equipment, only partially visible.) It are wide and round at the bottom, to float in the ocean, and towers of sensors and equipment extend upward from the base. The buoy is painted mostly yellow, with blue bottom and blue lettering: the buoy reads NOAA 41052. The word CariCOOS is visible in smaller letters on the tower portion. — *Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) Data Buoys*

July 25, 2024July 29, 2024

Nick Lee: Signing Off, July 21, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Nick Lee
Aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson
June 29 – July 20, 2024

Mission: Pollock Acoustic-Trawl Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Eastern Bering Sea

Date: July 21, 2024

Science and Technology Log:

When I applied to the Teacher at Sea program, I was hoping to use my experience on one of NOAA’s cruises to enhance my AP Environmental Science class. Now, having just completed my time aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson, I’m looking forward to incorporating pollock and fisheries research into my existing curriculum. The scientists’ research involved concepts that are already a key part of the AP Environmental Science curriculum, like biodiversity, sustainable fishing, and ocean currents. I’m excited to engage my students this year with more real life examples and photos from the cruise!

View of mountains from the bridge. The water is calm, and the snow-capped mountains are partially obscured by dramatic gray clouds. — *View from the bridge on the last day of the cruise.*

I wasn’t expecting to see as many applications of computer science on the cruise – however, I was surprised to learn how much of the scientists’ job on the ship involves coding and statistical analysis. At any given time, it seemed like at least one member of the science team was coding in Python or R, creating new programs and data visualizations that would help make their research more efficient and effective. We relied on many different computer applications to collect both acoustic and trawl data, almost all of which had been coded by the scientists and their colleagues.

MACE MasterApp, developed by scientists to collect and analyze data. This is a screenshot that shows a grid of icons labeled with program names such as "CLAMS QC," "Species Finder," "Transect Events," "Depth Comparison," and "Pies." — *MACE MasterApp, the suite of apps the scientists use to collect and analyze data.*

Some of these programs didn’t even exist just a few months ago, but they were created when someone on the team recognized an area for improvement. This represents a broader mindset of adaptability and collaboration I noticed among scientists. On the ship, plans constantly changed in response to weather, delays, and equipment malfunctions. While these could be frustrating, the scientists always looked for ways to still complete their research, troubleshooting with each other and with the other ship departments.

The science team on my cruise. Nine people pose for a group photo along a deck railing. Beyond them, we see calm ocean waters, green hillsides, and snow-capped mountains. — *The science team on my cruise. From left to right: Mike Levine, Robert Levine, Dave McGowan, Abigail McCarthy, Taina Honkalehto, Moses Lurbur, Sarah Stienessen, Matthew Phillips, Nick Lee* (Photo Credit: Emily Resendez).

I also learned how the scientists had been adaptable in their own careers. Most of the scientists I had worked with had not intended to study pollock when they were younger, and some had not even planned on studying marine science. However, when interesting opportunities presented themselves, they took advantage, even when this meant learning about a new type of research or traveling to a new location. Having different academic backgrounds meant the scientists had different perspectives, and each was able to contribute their own ideas on how to improve the group’s research. On this particular cruise, scientists were testing out cameras and studying pollock behavior at night in the hopes of improving their data collection methods for future surveys.

Personal Log:

I just arrived back in Boston after a few long travel days – I took a small boat from the ship to Dutch Harbor, and then I flew to Anchorage, then Seattle, and then finally Boston.

Small boat being lowered from the ship. — From left to right: *Small boat being lowered from the ship and an eagle warning sign in Dutch Harbor (Photo Credit: Abigail McCarthy).*

Sign warning of eagles. It's a wooden sign resting on the ground in front of a fence, reading "DANGER NESTING EAGLES," with a silhouette of a person with their arms in the air to shield their head from an attacking eagle. Nick does his best to reenact the pose, but there are no live eagles in sight. — From left to right: *Small boat being lowered from the ship and an eagle warning sign in Dutch Harbor (Photo Credit: Abigail McCarthy).*

I’m still processing my experience as a Teacher at Sea, but overwhelmingly I feel lucky to have spent three weeks aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson and grateful to all of the people I met along the way.

The crew of the ship were all kind and welcoming, and I was able to learn about the other departments on board. I was able to tour the engineering department, and I learned how the ship makes its own freshwater by evaporating seawater. I shadowed the survey technicians as they deployed CTDs (conductivity, temperature, and depth sensor), and I touched water samples they had captured from the bottom of the ocean. During one trawl, I joined the deck crew, and I was able to witness how they safely manage nets containing thousands of pounds of pollock. Finally, I was able to learn about marine navigation from the NOAA Corps Officers, and I was even allowed to (briefly) drive the boat!

Engineering control room. — From left to right: *Engineering control room, streaming the net with the deck crew (Photo Credit: Mike Levine), and learning to drive from NOAA Corps Officer Emily Resendez (Photo Credit: Savi Morales).*

Nick streaming the net with the deck crew. He wears a heavy reflective coat, gloves, and a hard hat. — From left to right: *Engineering control room, streaming the net with the deck crew (Photo Credit: Mike Levine), and learning to drive from NOAA Corps Officer Emily Resendez (Photo Credit: Savi Morales).*

I want to thank all of the crew and officers of NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson for making the past three weeks such a meaningful experience, and I want to thank the science team for letting me contribute to their research and answering all of my questions (special thanks to Robert Levine for editing these blog posts)! Finally, I want to thank Emily Susko and the Teacher at Sea Program for supporting me throughout this entire process.

Did you know?

Applications for next season’s Teacher at Sea Program open in November – more info can be found here!

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

Nick Lee: The Night Shift, July 19, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Nick Lee
Aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson
June 29 – July 20, 2024

Mission: Pollock Acoustic-Trawl Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Eastern Bering Sea

Date: July 19, 2024

Weather Data from the Bridge:

Latitude: 53° 44.5 N

Longitude: 166° 54.0 W

Wind Speed: 15 knots

Air Temperature: 10.9° Celsius (51.62° Fahrenheit)

Science and Technology Log:

As my cruise begins to wrap up, I wanted to highlight some of the people I’ve been working closest with – the scientists on the night shift. Work on the ship continues 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the night shift works from 4 pm – 4 am. The night shift has the same responsibilities as the day shift of monitoring acoustic data and processing trawls, tasks completed by scientists Sarah Stienessen, Matthew Phillips, and Robert Levine. To learn more about the scientists and their careers, I interviewed each of them:

Why did you decide to become a marine scientist?

Sarah: The short answer is in kindergarten, I checked out a book on dolphins and fell in love with the ocean!

Matthew: I grew up near the ocean, and as a kid, I always loved exploring and finding new fish. I knew I didn’t want to spend every day in an office, and so marine science seemed like a great way to pursue my passion and explore new places.

Robert: I actually wasn’t planning to. I was majoring in geology and environmental science, and I did a field semester in Hawaii. We did a three week class in conservation ecology using passive acoustics, and I thought it was the coolest thing. I did a marine mammal internship with acoustics, and after college, I worked in a zooplankton lab – the rest is history.

Scientist Sarah Stienessen on marine mammal watch. Sarah rests her elbows on a windowsill and looks through binoculars out a large window. Through the windows, we see the sky is gray, and the sea is gray. — *Sarah Stienessen on marine mammal watch.*

What are your responsibilities during the cruise?

Sarah: My responsibilities are to monitor and analyze the acoustic data and decide when and where to collect a biological sample (trawl) – that’s the daily stuff. I work on combining the acoustic data with the biological sample data to produce abundance and distribution estimates. I also coordinate pre- and post-cruise logistics.

Matthew: I’m the fish lab lead, so I’m responsible for supervising all of the trawl processing.

Robert: I’m here as an assistant to the fish lab lead and to explore new data types that we could use to enhance our data collection.

Scientist Robert Levine unloading the trawl catch onto the sorting table. Robert wears a heavy orange raincoat and long, elbow-length yellow gloves. He stands behind the sorting table and with his right hand controls the flow of the fish onto the table with a switch or a button on the wall. — *Robert Levine unloading the trawl catch onto the sorting table.*

What do you enjoy the most about your work?

Sarah: On the boat, it’s teamwork and camaraderie with colleagues. On land, it’s the strategizing and planning around the logistics of fieldwork, both small scale and large scale.

Matthew: Seeing a species that’s new to me! I love seeing new fish, birds, and marine mammals.

Robert: I enjoy the balance between office work, getting to do fieldwork, and working on instrumentation. This group does a lot of research, but it’s all applied, which is the best part.

What part of your career did you least expect?

Sarah: Acoustics, fish, and Alaska!

Matthew: I never expected to be spending so much time in Alaska.

Robert: I never would have thought I would be on a boat actually doing the fishing.

Scientist Matthew Phillips troubleshooting PelagiCam. We see Matthew through an open window in a metal wall, perhaps an outer wall of the ship. He wears a heavy orange reflective coat and a black beanie and works at a laptop on a table at the window. A cable extends from inside the lab through the window out of frame. — *Matthew Phillips troubleshooting PelagiCam*

What advice do you have for a young person interested in a career in marine science?

Sarah: Take lab-based course work that’s marine related and hands-on. Also, volunteer, intern, try to get a glimpse of the real life experience of what marine science is like. It’s good for giving you connections and for seeing if it’s something you really want to do.

Matthew: Be open-minded about different opportunities and unthought-of locations!

Robert: Find the thing that you like to do or are really good at. If you like chemistry or computer science, get a degree in that. Then apply it to marine science – you don’t have to have a biology degree and you can actually be more effective with an outside perspective.

Personal Log:

When I first boarded NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson I was hoping to be assigned the day shift (4 am – 4 pm). However, after I adjusted to the different sleep schedule, I found myself enjoying the nighttime hours when the ship was quieter. There is still a lot of fish processing to do during the night shift – this cruise, the ship has actually processed more trawls during our shift!

While nights are often busy in the fish lab, we’ll also have some downtime between trawls. During a few of these breaks, we played cribbage, a card game that scientist Robert Levine taught me early in the cruise. We’ll also frequent the galley for midnight meals together and to finish off the last of the dessert that our awesome stewards – Danielle and Missy – prepared that day (some highlights include butter mochi, lemon meringue pie, and a zucchini chocolate cake)!

cribbage board and stacks of playing cards on a table — *Cribbage Game*

On a couple nights, we’ve tracked our candy consumption, competing with the day shift to see who eats more. Being a science team, we felt compelled to convert between different units, expressing our final answer in terms of portion of the bag, mass, and individual sour patch kids!

Did you know?

Because pollock behavior changes at night, the scientists on this particular cruise don’t trawl between sunset and sunrise.