bait – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023

Julie Hayes: What’s Below Us? April 29th 2023

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Julie Hayes

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

April 22-May 5, 2023

Mission: SEAMAP Reef Fish

Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Mexico

Date: April 29, 2023

Weather Data

Clouds: Broken

Temperature: 66 degrees F

Wind: 25 kt.

Waves: 4-6 ft.

Science and Technology Log

Sphere Cameras:

As we travel along the coastal shelf of Texas to Louisiana, scientists have already mapped out drop sites for the Sphere Cameras. There are five cameras that have a 360 degree view, one camera is stereo paired for measurements, and one is facing straight up. The cameras are attached to a rosette (cage), as well as bait to attract fish. Once the cameras are dropped in their designated location they will record for approximately 30 minutes. It is a process dropping the cameras in and picking them up that both the scientists and deck crew all have to help out with. It is hard to believe that by the end of their mission (Legs 1-4) they will have done this over and over around 500 times. Once all footage is collected from the day and downloaded it is then stitched together. This information allows scientist to see a number of things including biodiversity, distributions, and habitat classifications. This is helpful because it is also a much less invasive way for scientists to collect data.

Two members of the science crew, wearing hard hats and life vests, stand on deck, facing a large metal cage hoisted up on ropes. The cage houses underwater cameras. The crewmembers are steadying the apparatus with additional ropes as a davit arm lifts it over the railing of the deck.

A view over the railing of the ship’s deck of the camera array, lowered on a cable and ropes, making contact with the surface of the ocean.

Deploying Cameras

Camera Recordings

A black and white view, through the bars of the camera array, of a shark swimming underwater above a mostly sandy ocean bottom. — Shark

A black and white view, through the bars of the camera array, of about seven red snapper who appear to be jostling over the bait attached to the array. — Red snappers

Tony VanCampen, Electronics Technician

Tony, wearing khaki pants, a khaki shirt, glasses, and a large white beard, stands at a control panel lined with computer monitors, keyboards, and radios. He holds a telephone up to his right ear and grasps papers in his left hand. — Tony demonstrating the Global
Maritime Distress System

Tony is responsible for anything electronic. This could include things like wind, temperature and pressure sensors, electronic connections for the scientific computer systems, and GPS position for mapping. He states, “Anything that can be recorded for future data collection accuracy is very important.” Tony is also in charge of letting others know if the ship needs help. Tony has been on several ships in his lifetime including spending twenty years in the Navy. When Tony retires he hopes to work at a train museum in New York, due to his fascination with trains. He has been a great person to talk to while on this journey and is always willing to give me any information I ask. He even took time out to give me a tour of the bridge and flying bridge, as well as giving me several lesson ideas of coding for my students.

Chris Rowley, Lead Fisherman

Chris, wearing a hard hat, life vest, and sunglasses, stands on deck near a large camera array. He works to hook a cable to the top of the apparatus. — Chris helping deploy cameras

Chris is the lead fisherman on Pisces. His job is to assist the scientists in deploying cameras and CDT, and anything else needed. NOAA provides great benefits to support his family. Chris also is a coxswain who drives the Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) if needed. He is also part of the fire drill and you can see him in the pictures below during the drill. Chris lives in Louisiana and enjoys spending any off time he has with his twin daughters and wife.

Student Questions of the Day for Tony and Chris

Alivia and Tucker ask: How many different ships have you been on?

Tony was a great one to answer this question. Tony was on two naval ships, and eight different NOAA ships. I would say he has had a lot of experience in maritime.

Aryan and Alivia ask: When did you start working for NOAA?

In 2004 Tony started working for NOAA.

Maverick asks: What do you do in your free time?

Tony enjoys woodworking, religious teaching, and is involved with a food bank rescue ministry when he isn’t out to sea.

Konnor asked: What did you do before this job?

Chris started in High School working in the summers on shrimp boats as a deckhand in Louisiana. Before working for NOAA, he worked several years on offshore supply vessels (OSV).

Holden, Karson, Gary, Macie, Zane, Haylee, and Liam ask: What is the coolest and largest thing you have seen in the ocean?

Chris states that at night, while working on the supply vessels, lights would shine in the dark water and he saw an albino barracuda. The largest marine life he has seen has been a whale shark and he has seen several orcas.

Meela and Parker ask: Do you get lonely and do you get personal time?

Chris works out on the ocean over nine plus months out of the year. He looks forward to vacation where he can spend more time with his family back home. The ship now has internet that helps keep them in touch with family.

Personal Log

Last night we had to start working our way inland about 20 miles offshore, due to a large storm out in the Gulf. Tomorrow we plan to head back out towards our mission locations to continue where we left off. We have been tracking the storm for a few days and knew that we would need to go somewhere due to the heavy winds and waves. Since we can’t deploy cameras at our designated locations, everyone is using this day as a catch up day. We also did fire drills and abandon ship drills today. Safety is a huge priority on the ship, and I am confident that if there were to ever be an emergency situation, that everyone on Pisces would handle it excellently. I am taking advantage and downloading photos and working on the blog today, and checking in with my students work back home. Yesterday was amazing! I love getting my hands dirty and take every chance I can get to help cut bait for the baited cameras. I got to see my first whale at sea, and I have had the opportunity to see dolphins a few times now. I find myself often looking for marine life. There are always amazing sunsets at the ocean.

Two crewmembers, dressed in protective coats, pants, gloves, and masks, head down an outdoor stairwell to the deck during the fire drill.

Two crewmembers, dressed in protective gear, spray powerful hoses over the deck of NOAA Ship Pisces during the fire drill.

NOAA Corps Officers, two with protective helmets and gloves, make their way down an outside staircase to the main deck hauling fire extinguishers.

Fire drills

A view off the fantail of NOAA Ship Pisces of the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico. — Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico

Three mackerel, used for baiting the camera arrays, lay on a teal plastic cutting board. — Bait fish

Bait fish

Julie, right, and an unnamed science team member, left, pose for a photo on deck. Both wear baseball caps and yellow latex gloves. Julie holds a fistful of squid up for the camera. The other person holds an orange mesh baitbag triumphantly above her head. — Bait (squid)

Julie and another science team member stand at a table out on the deck. They are wearing yellow latex gloves. Julie uses a knife to cut the bait into sections on a cutting board. The other person pulls an orange mesh baitbag (filled with cut bait) closed via drawstring. Five other filled baitbags sit on the table. — Cutting and filling bait bags for the baited cameras

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

Kimberly Scantlebury: Beneath the Waves, May 4, 2017

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Kimberly Scantlebury

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

May 1-May 12, 2017

Mission: SEAMAP Reef Fish Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Mexico

Date: May 4, 2017

Weather Data from the Bridge

Time: 10:25

Latitude: 2823.2302 N, Longitude: 9314.2797 W

Wind Speed: 12 knots, Barometric Pressure: 1009 hPa

Air Temperature: 19.3 C, Water Temperature: 24.13 C

Salinity: 35.79 PSU, Conditions: Cloudy, 6-8 foot waves

Science and Technology Log

The cameras are sent down 15-150 meters. It takes several crew, plus Joey “driving” inside the dry lab, to make each launch happen.

Long line fishing is one way to gather fish population data. Another is remote sensing with camera arrays. The benefit of this is it is less invasive. The downside is it is more expensive and you can not collect fish samples. The goal has been to do ten-twelve camera array deployments a day.

There are two camera arrays set up: Orthogonal Stereo Camera Array (OSCAR) and an array containing a 360 degree spherical view camera pod and a single stereo camera (Frank). OSCAR runs technology that has been used since 2008. There have been many incarnations of camera technology used for the SEAMAP Reef Fish Survey since 1991. The OSCAR setup uses four stereo cameras that capture single video and stereo pair still images. Frank uses six cameras that can be stitched together to give a full 360 viewing area. This work is used to determine trends in abundance of species, although there are a few years of holes in the data as the transition from catch to camera took place. OSCAR setup and the Frank setup (affectionately called that due to its pieced together parts like Frankenstein’s Monster) both run to provide comparisons between the different technology. One of the other devices on Frank is an Abyss by GoPro.

NOAA scientist, Kevin works on making sure the Abyss is reading to attach to Frank.

GoPros’ Abyss device may be a cheaper, off the rack option, but they do not do as well in low light conditions. Choosing gear is always a balance between cost and wants. For that you need to spend more for custom scientific equipment.

Researchers are always working to stay current to gather the best data. This requires frequent upgrades to hardware and software. It also means modern scientific researchers must possess the skills and fortitude to adapt to ever changing technology. The ability to continually learn, troubleshoot, and engineer on the fly when something breaks are skills to learn. This is something all current students can take to heart.

Together, camera arrays, vertical long lines, and fish trap methods give a more accurate view of beneath the waves.

Quote of the day regarding launching the camera arrays: “You gotta remember, I’m gonna make that lady fly.”-James

Personal Log

There are three different sized hooks used that rotate through the three Bandit reels.

Another important science lesson is that zero is a number. There have been camera problems to work through and we have not been catching fish. Sometimes that zero is from equipment that stopped running. Those zeros are errors that can be removed from the data set.

With fishing, we record if the bait is still attached or not, even if we do not catch any. It is always fun to put thirty hooks down and not know what is going to appear until we reel them up. It is also disappointing not to catch anything. Data is data. It is important for determining species abundance.

I have enjoyed learning how to record on the data sheets, bait the hooks, de-bait the hooks (so there is always fresh bait), and a lot of little parts that are a part of the overall experience.

When we are working, the ship goes to a predetermined location and stops. The CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) Water Column Profiler is dropped in first (to be featured in a future post) then raised after data collection is done. Next either OSCAR or Frank goes down. Every few stops we also do the vertical long line fishing. The ship then goes on to the next stop, which takes about twenty minutes. That time is spent breaking down fish (when they are caught) and troubleshooting equipment.

Did You Know?

When on deck, hard hats and PDF are required when the cranes are running.

September 7, 2012March 12, 2021

Kristy Weaver: Trapped Video

August 10, 2010April 22, 2021

Annmarie Babicki, August 10, 2010

Time:NOAA Teacher at Sea: Annmarie Babicki

NOAA Ship Name: Oregon II

Mission: Shark and Red Snapper Bottom Longlining

Geographical area of cruise: Gulf of Mexico

Date: August 10, 2010

Weather Data

Latitude: 25.36 degrees North

Longitude: 82.56 degrees West

Clouds: Overcast and occasional showers

Winds: 11.5 kts

Temperature: 28.6 Celcius or about 84 degrees Fahrenheit

Barometric Pressure; 1010.04

Science and Technology:

I am working here in the Gulf of Mexico with a scientist who is completing shark stock assessments. It is a long term study, which monitors population trends of all shark species in the Gulf. The data collected from this survey is used in conjunction with data from many other studies to determine fisheries policy. One example of this could be the determinations of how large a catch can be and how long the catch season can be. Policies are not only different by species, but also by whether the catch is for recreational or commercial use.

Today we began the shark survey and completed locations off the coast of Florida. The locations are chosen at random, so that the data is objective and the findings are not skewed. During each sampling the following information is recorded: shark species, its length, weight, sex, and the stage of its maturity. The coordinates for each survey are also recorded, which enables scientists to know where particular shark populations exist. The number of stations completed per day varies depending on how far the stations are from one another. Generally, the amount of time it takes to complete it is approximately two hours.

DSCF0124 — Hi-flyer being dropped in the water

The methodology used to collect data on sharks is called bottom longlining. This is when each hook are baited with mackerel and put on a gangion. We cut our own bait and attach it to the hooks. Each hook is assigned a number, one to one hundred, so that it can be tracked. That line is then systematically hooked onto another line that runs one nautical mile. Both ends of the line have what are called hi-flyers that float vertically in the water. They are bright orange and have a blinking light on the top, so that they can be seen from a distance. There is a weight placed on both ends of the line and one in the middle. The weights help to keep the baited lines well below the surface. After the last gangion is put on, we wait one hour and then begin to pull in all hundred lines. During this entire process the ship is moving, which can be sometimes challenging, especially in bad weather.

DSCF0153 — Measuring the length of a barracuda

Although the focus of this survey is sharks, data is collected on all fishes that are captured. After the fish are pulled up on deck, data is collected and recorded by the hook number. The handling of sharks is different from the handling of fish. Only sharks are fitted with a tag, which does not hurt them. There are two types of tags, but to date we have only used one type. In order to attach the yellow tag, a small slit is made underneath the dorsal fin. The tag has a sharp point on one end, which is inserted into the slit. Also a small sample (5-10 cm) of the shark’s pelvic fin is taken. This is then taken to the lab where DNA testing is done. The DNA can be used to verify known species and unknown or new species. Also, scientists can compare the population of sharks in other oceans around the globe by their DNA. What I have observed on every catch is that the scientist carefully monitors the shark to ensure it is not being stressed or could be hurt in any way.
Today we caught this beautiful and powerful scalloped hammerhead shark. When very large sharks like the hammerhead are caught, they are not pulled up by the line because it can damage them and they are too heavy to handle. Instead they are guided onto a cradle which sits in the water. Once on securely they are hoisted to the side of the ship where scientists can collect the needed data. The hammerhead weighed in at 341lb. and was 8 feet long. What a catch this was, everyone was very excited.

DSCF0138 — The cradle used to raise sharks in and out of the water.

Personal Log

The day started out cloudy but eventually turned over to showers and then to a hard rain. We are feeling the effects of the tropical depression, which explains why it is difficult for me to stay standing for any length of time. I am hitting and seeing more walls than I care to! Also, it is a very bizarre feeling when the chair you are sitting in moves from one side of the room to the other. Luckily I have fended of sea sickness, but I did have a mild case of nausea, however, nothing that stopped me from continuing to work on deck. Thank goodness for Bonine.
Sleeping has not been much of a problem for me except when the ship’s engine changes. The engines make a deep loud growling sound that wakes me for just a few minutes. Being out in the fresh air does make me tired, so I have to set my alarm clock or I will sleep through my next shift. It’s hard to know what day it is because I am working a noon to midnight shift. You keep track of time by when the next sampling is due.

Being at sea and doing this type of research is definitely only for the hearty. The weather changes often as does the pace of the work. There are many jobs to do during sampling and I am trying to learn all of them. Baiting a hook and taking off bait has been frustrating, particularly since it has to be done quickly. The type of hook they use has a barb on it that goes in a different direction from the rest of the hook, so it doesn’t just slide out. We wear special gloves to protect our hands from the hooks and skin of the sharks, which can feel like sand paper or razor blades depending on the shark. They say that practice makes perfect. Well, I have a lot of practicing to do!
My next adventure is to learn how to hold sharks and not be afraid of them. I’ll keep you posted.

“Answer to Question of the Day” The fin clip is an actual piece of a fin that has been cut off the shark to be used for DNA testing.”Question of the Day” What is a wet and dry room on a research vessel?

“Animals Seen Today” red groupers, tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerhead, sharpnose shark, and sea birds