NOAA Teacher at Sea
Greta Dykstra-Lyons
Onboard NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan August 1 – 20, 2005
Mission: Cetacean Abundance Survey Geographical Area: U.S. West Coast Date: August 13, 2005
Profile of Another Crewmember
Name: Laura Morse Age: 36 Home: Portsmouth, NH College: SUNY Buffalo, NY Majors: Biology and anthropology Job: Field Biologist (specializing in marine mammals) Position on the DAVID STARR JORDAN: Mammal Observer Years of experience: 11 Months at sea this year: 9 (including work with river dolphins in Cambodia) Best part of job: Travel, being on the ocean, and the freedom and flexibility the job offers| Concerns: Coastal pollution and fisheries interaction Favorite species: North Atlantic right whales Continents visited: 7
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Greta Dykstra-Lyons
Onboard NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan August 1 – 20, 2005
Mission: Cetacean Abundance Survey Geographical Area: U.S. West Coast Date: August 12, 2005
Working in the lab
Science and Technology Log
Since I last checked in, several days and a lot of water have passed by. I wish I could say the same for marine mammals! For quite some time we have been in international waters between 200 and 300 miles off shore. Some time last night we made a turn that put us at a heading of about 105 for most of today. The turn of the boat also seems to have brought a turn of good luck for the observers. Up until today the sightings have been very sparse. Tuesday only one sighting of sperm whales was recorded and observations were delayed due to uncooperative weather. We did manage a successful fire-and- abandon-ship drill. At about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday a sperm whale was sighted and the decision to launch a small boat for photos and biopsy was made. Luckily for me, it was my turn in the rotation to take a ride. Despite using a directional hydrophone we were not as successful as we had hoped in tracking the whale while it was submerged. The closest we were able to get was about 30 yards away.
Whale sighting
Oddly enough, in our pursuit of the sperm whale we stumbled upon a fin whale and had good luck pursuing him/her. The small boat returned to the JORDAN about at 6:30 p.m. It was quite a unique and thrilling experience to get that close to a such a gigantic animal! I am told that under normal circumstances, vessels must be at least 100 yards away from the whales or risk a hefty fine. Due to special permits we are allowed a more intimate experience. Wednesday evening I assisted with the oceanography chores, including the bongo net tow. Thursday was a slow sighting day. It was not until the afternoon that a sperm whale was sighted. Shortly after dinner we passed by a weather buoy. This excited the crew because often fish will hang out by buoys and other floating objects. The observers took a short break and the boat made a few slow circles around the buoy. To everyone’s dismay, no fish were caught. By Thursday evening we had reached our western most position.
Today, Friday, was a relatively busy day for sightings. In total, nine animals were observed. Most exciting was a blue whale that passed within a good viewing distance from the ship. Cameras were clicking away! One other blue whale was sighted and the small boat was launched. In addition to the blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales were added to today’s list. Due to equipment failure and malfunction in the oceanography lab, I stayed away today!
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Greta Dykstra-Lyons
Onboard NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan August 1 – 20, 2005
Jose Coito
Mission: Cetacean Abundance Survey Geographical Area: U.S. West Coast Date: August 9, 2005
Profiles of Four Crewmembers
Name: Jose Coito; Age: 52; Home: San Diego; Position: Lead Fisherman–Deck department; Years on DAVID STARR JORDAN: 12; Previous experience: 22 years as a tuna fisherman; Favorite part of job: Working with different people, going different places, getting close to the whales in the small boat; Favorite port: “All good. Most every port we have a good time…eat, drink, have fun.” Most enjoyable cruise: Southern shark cruise; Number of continents visited: 4
Name: Annie Douglass; Age: 29; Home: Olympia, WA; College: Evergreen College, WA; Major: BA Science; Job: Mammal Biologist at Cascadia Research Collective;
Annie Douglass
Position on DAVID STARR JORDAN: Mammal Observer/Mammal Photographer; Years of experience: 8 years; Months at sea this year: 6 months; Best part of job: Getting close to the mammals in a small boat; Memorable sighting: Observing 12 killer whales attack a stellar seal lion in the Olympic Coast Sanctuary; Concerns for marine mammals: Run-off contaminants effect on coastal animals and under water noise pollution impact on whales; Favorite species: Blue whales and humpback whales; Continents visited: 3;
Thomas Staudt
Name: Thomas Staudt; Age: 56; Home: Tucson, AZ; College: University of Iowa; Major: Psychology; Job: Seasonal/Transient Employee; Position on DAVID STARR JORDAN: Bird Observer; Years of experience: 30; Months at sea this year: 4; Memorable sighting: The first North American sighting of the Hornsby’s storm petrel off the DAVID STARR JORDAN last week! Concerns for seabirds: Loss of breeding habitat; Favorite species: Penguin; Continents visited: 7
Name: Candy Hall; Age: 29; Home: Cape Town, South African and York, England; College: University of Cape Town; Major: BSc Honors in Oceanography (working on masters); Job: Student; Position on DAVID STARR JORDAN: Oceanographer; Years of experience: 10; Months at sea this year: 4; Best part of job: Ship life; Memorable sighting: A pod of killer whales right next to zodiac–too close to get a photo (2001, Oregon coast); Concerns for oceans: Anthropogenic pollution and over population; Favorite species: Killer whale; Continents visited: 4
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Greta Dykstra-Lyons
Onboard NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan August 1 – 20, 2005
Mission: Cetacean Abundance Survey Geographical Area: U.S. West Coast Date: August 8, 2005
Science and Technology Log
Choppy seas have made observations a bit challenging today. Observers were able to spot a fin whale and calf this morning and another fin whale this afternoon. The day ended with sperm whale sightings. Our current position is increasing the number and variety of bird sightings.
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Greta Dykstra-Lyons
Onboard NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan August 1 – 20, 2005
Mission: Cetacean Abundance Survey Geographical Area: U.S. West Coast Date: August 2, 2005
Science and Technology Log
Due to a backlog of scheduled repairs, the JORDAN did not depart from its homeport, San Diego on July 30th as scheduled. On Monday August 1st, the ship headed into San Diego Bay so that adjustments could be made to its acoustic backscatter (somewhat like an echo sounder). While this was being done, cruise members not trained in small-boat operations were given a brief training. After which, the Zodiacs were lowered into the bay and we spent part of the afternoon putting our training to use zipping around the bay. Anchors were hoisted and the JORDAN left the bay about 5:00 p.m. Sightings since we left San Diego include the following: bottle nose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, short beaked common dolphins (which surrounded the boat by the 100s), two separate blue whale sightings, two separate sperm whale sightings (multiple animals each sighting),and a fin whale. Small boats were launched for the first blue whale and sperm whale sightings, and this allowed for photo identification and biopsies. The two bird identifiers on board were thrilled to spot and photograph a Hornsby’s storm petrel. This is the only documented North American sighting.
