If you’re anything like me, you’ve never given the pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) a second thought. However, the humble pollock, which occurs throughout the North Pacific Ocean and is especially common in Alaska, plays a linchpin role in the US seafood industry.
In 2024, pollock accounted for 43% of all seafood caught in the US by weight. That’s bigger than salmon, lobster, and tuna put together!
Clearly, pollock must be providing something of value; why is pollock such a large part of the harvest? Several factors contribute to pollock’s popularity with the fishing fleet.
1. Pollock are relatively easy to catch as they school densely in mid-water. Mid-water trawling can sometimes be much quicker and easier than other types of commercial fishing.
2. Pollock is a lean, lightly-flavored whitefish that can be used as whole cuts or processed into products such as surimi (artificial crab meat) and has been shown to be a good source of lean protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.
A comparison of the nutritional value of pollock to other dietary protein sources. – USDA
3. Pollock has a much smaller lifecycle carbon footprint than other protein sources. Due to the efficiency of mid-water trawling and industry innovations, you can hit your macros while leaving the carbon where it belongs, cycling through the ecosystem.
A comparison of the carbon impact of pollock vs other common animal protein sources.
Pollock sure sounds like a great, sustainable protein source, but let’s take a step back and meet the fish behind the stick!
An Adult Alaskan pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus)
Pollock are a member of the same genus as Atlantic and Pacific cod, and grow to around 20 inches on average over their 15-year lifespan. Their Latin name, chalcogrammus, is derived from the beautiful copper patterns that adorn their dorsal sides.
In winter, pollock move closer to shore, gathering in large schools to spawn. In summer, they migrate farther onto the continental shelf, forming more dispersed schools.
The Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) Summer Pollock Acoustic Survey helps NOAA track and manage this vital economic and cultural resource by monitoring the location, size, and well-being of the eastern Bering Sea pollock population. This summer, the scientists have extended some of the acoustic transect lines northward to ensure the survey captures a more holistic picture of the population distribution in the eastern Bering Sea.
In this animation, lighter colors indicate a higher abundance of pollock at a given location. In 2010, AFSC bottom trawl data showed that the pollock population was concentrated at the far western edge of the study area. Conversely, in 2017, the population was much more evenly dispersed across the region. Observations like these help MACE scientists plan future work to better understand the extent and variability of pollock population distributions across the eastern Bering Sea. data source: FFSC eastern Bering sea bottom trawl survey from https://apps-st.fisheries.noaa.gov/dismap/index.html
Personal Log
As a guest of this crew, it has been great to get to know the science team, the NOAA Corps, and the crew that make Oscar Dyson run like a well-oiled machine. From Frankie in the mess (sooooo good), to the officers on the Bridge, it is evident that everyone WANTS to be here.
Wildlife sightings
🚨Charismatic Megafauna Alert🚨
A humpback whale stopped by on our way north from Dutch Harbor, AK.
Did You Know?
“For the 26th consecutive year, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, led the nation in seafood landed volume (780.1 million pounds, valued at $224.5 million).” (Fisheries of the United States 2023).
From the library
“The war between water and land is never-ending. Waves shatter themselves in spent fury against the rocky bulwarks of the coast; giant tides eat away the sand beaches and alter the entire contour of an island overnight…”
– Corey Ford, Where the Sea Breaks Its Back: The Epic Story of the Early Naturalist Georg Steller and the Russian Exploration of Alaska
Mission: Fisheries: Pacific Hake Survey (More info here)
GeographicRegion: Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California
Date: July 13, 2023
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Weather Data from the bridge:
July11 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 37° 46.7’ N, 123° 26.6’ W 43nm (50mi) West of San Francisco, CA
Visibility: 2 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast, fog Wind: 20 knots from N 250° Barometer: 1015.2 mbar Sea wave height: 2-3 feet Swell: 6-7 ft from NW 320° Sea temperature: 12.2°C (57.2°F) Air temperature: 12.7°C (57.9°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 270° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 10 knots
July 12 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 38° 06.8’ N, 123° 01.6’ W 7nm (8mi) North of Point Reyes Lighthouse, Inverness, CA
Visibility: 2 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast, fog Wind: 12 knots from N 350° Barometer: 1016.0 mbar Sea wave height: 1-2 feet Swell: 3-4 ft from W 280° Sea temperature: 11.0°C (57.2°F) Air temperature: 11.5°C (57.9°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 270° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 10 knots
July 13 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 38° 17.3’ N, 123° 06.1’ W 2.5nm (4mi) Southwest of Bodega Bay, CA
Visibility: 3 nautical miles Sky condition: Few clouds, fog Wind: 13 knots from NW 300° Barometer: 1015.9 mbar Sea wave height: 1-2 feet 1-2 Swell: 3-4 ft from NW 300° Sea temperature: 10.7°C (51.3°F) Air temperature: 13.7°C (56.6°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 340° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 10 knots
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In my July 6 post, I explained how NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada is equipped to collect acoustic data in the form of echo grams and therefore find fish to trawl for. In my July 10 post, I explained how we get the fish onboard, and what we do with the sample once it is collected from the net. These entries described what work is done in the Acoustics Lab and the Wet Lab, but there is one more Lab onboard to explore and explain: the Chemistry Lab.
NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada leaving Pier 30/32 in San Francisco, CA on July 5, 2023. (Just a nice photo taken by me that I wanted to include)
Science and Technology Log
Each morning after breakfast, we usually gather in the Acoustics Lab, determine what transect we are on, if we are inshore or offshore, and in some ways: hurry up and wait. Once certain patterns and blips show up on the echo grams, the Acoustics team talks with the bridge and may request to turn around and attempt a trawl. After all marine mammal observations are completed, the net is retrieved, and the samples are brought to the Wet Lab, we sort and collect data on the samples. These operations usually take place between 0800 and 2000. (8am to 8pm)
So what happens at night? In the Chemistry Lab, scientists work with the Deck and Surveys Departments to deploy a collection of electronic instruments and 12 Niskin bottles (open bottles used to collect and hold water samples, about one meter long) secured to a cylindrical frame called a rosette. It is deployed from the side sampling station instead of the stern. Scientists onboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada use the instruments and collection of water samples in two ways: measuring Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) within a water column to study oceanography, and collecting environmental DNA (eDNA).
CTD Niskin bottles arranged on a circular rosette frame.
“Nighttime operations primarily consists of deploying the Conductivity-Temperature [-Depth] (CTD) rosette which gathers oceanographic data such as conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The CTD can also be triggered to collect water at specific depths.”
CTD stands for conductivity (ability to pass an electrical current), temperature, and depth. Scientists use the rosette frame, which is attached to the ship by cables, and has the CTD and 12 Niskin bottles attached, to collect electronic data and multiple water samples.
“A CTD device’s primary function is to detect how the conductivity and temperature of the water column changes relative to depth. Conductivity is a measure of how well a solution conducts electricity and it is directly related to salinity. By measuring the conductivity of seawater, the salinity can be derived from the temperature and pressure of the same water. The depth is then derived from the pressure measurement by calculating the density of water from the temperature and the salinity.”
Senior Survey Technician Elysha Agne gives commands to the Deck Department running the winch and cable to the rosette, and ensures quality data is being collected at each sampling depth.
“For more detailed analyses back in the lab, each of the large gray bottles captures a water sample at a different depth. The data provide scientists important information about the local aquatic environment.”
Depending on the depth at which the vessel is currently operating, the rosette will descend to one to five predetermined depths (50m-500m) for sampling. For example, if the vessel depth reads 400m, water samples will occur at 50m, 150m, 200m, and 300m (more information in Table 1 below). A water sample is also taken just below the ocean surface using a through hull fitting, which allows seawater to be collected via a hole in the hull that feeds directly to the Chem Lab.
Table 1 in Protocol manual, written by Chem Lab member and eDNA scientist Abi Wells.
While the rosette descends, data is recorded from multiple sensors and are later used by scientists to compare with Acoustic and Wet Lab data and compile and categorize new information from the survey. Pressure, depth, temperature, conductivity, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, and turbidity were all being recorded during this leg of the survey mission.
Program displaying data collected from the CTD rosette in real time.
Environmental DNA: eDNA
During the day, Hake stay in deeper waters, averaging around 200-350m, but at night the nocturnal feeders start their daily migration through the water column to shallower depths. They feed primarily on zooplankton, shrimp, myctophids (Lanternfish), and even young Hake at this depth. As Hake move throughout the water column, they leave behind DNA in the water that can be collected later as sort of a signature of their presence in that location. The collection, filtering, and preservation of sampled water in the ocean environment is categorized as collecting eDNA. This environmental DNA can be in the form of gametes (reproductive cells), fish scales, feces, etc.
Collecting water samples at different depths in the same vertical column can show what marine life was present at that location, and what depth they were at. I relate it to reviewing school security cameras or talking to other teachers at the end of the school day, to determine where a student was at a certain time and why.
Chem Lab member and eDNA scientist Abi Wells collecting a 2.5L water sample from a Niskin bottle after a successful CTD deployment.
When the rosette is back on deck, scientists use gloves and new collection bags called Whirlpacks, to collect approximately 2.5L of water from each 10L Niskin bottle. This process is conducted with a great emphasis on sterility, including wiping the bottle spigot with DNAway to remove any contaminants, using new materials, and not allowing fingers or the spigot to touch the collection bag.
Sterile work site being set up to pour water samples into the cups and strain through the filters.Chem Lab member and eDNA scientist Abi Wells pouring a 2.5L water sample into the corresponding cup to strain through the filter.
Once the collection bags are filled and brought to the Chem Lab, filtration occurs using 1.0 micron filters. Although this size of filter, compared to smaller filters, allows some cells to pass through and not be collected, it is faster and results in less breakage of cells and loss of DNA. After 2.5L of the water sample is poured through individual filters for each depth sample, they are placed in pre-labeled (location and depth information) tubes with 2mL of preservative buffer. The tubes are stored at room temperature and away from UV light until NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada is back in port and the samples can be further researched in on-land laboratories. Results from additional studies help to compile lists of marine life that was present in the water column and can be compared to acoustic data and species caught and logged in the Wet Lab.
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Personal Log
So, there you have it. Three Labs onboard that conduct very different research, but fit together in the puzzle of Hake development, migration, diet, niches, ecosystem, biomass, and supporting sustainable commercial fisheries. Each additional piece of data; whether it be echo sounds, physical samples, eDNA, or CTD information, strengthens the others and helps to create a cohesive summary of the data.
This was a lot to learn in the first few days, but as I’ve said before, all of the crew has been welcoming, supportive, and educational. Having a strong team that works together is priceless, and thoroughly noticed and appreciated.
A few days into the mission my Mom asked me what the best part of my day was. I had three answers and haven’t had a day yet with only one answer. I replied that it was the great salmon dinner, clean clothes, and seeing Risso’s Dolphins for the first time.
Video taken by me of Risso’s Dolphins surfacing for air. (Plays on loop)
We are now a little more than halfway through the mission and it has truly flown by. We’ve shared riddles and daily Final Jeopardy questions. We’ve laughed over daily experiences and the faces Hake fish make. We’ve played music and watched baseball during dinner. We enjoy watching marine life and breathe in the salt air while strengthening our sea legs. Sometimes we just drink coffee and snack and enjoy this opportunity with each other, and that makes every part of the day the best part.
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Did You Know?
Although Hake are occasionally cannibalistic, they are not at the top of their food chain. Humboldt Squid (Remember those 15 foot long tentacles in my Wet Lab post?), Dogfish Sharks, and marine mammals are all predators, as well as commercial fishing. Today well over 100 Spiny Dogfish Sharks were inadvertently caught in the trawl, in the same location as the baskets of Hake we sampled from. Maybe there were baby Hake fish in the sharks’ stomachs… we didn’t attempt to find out.
Basket one of Spiny DogfishBasket two of Spiny Dogfish
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New Terms/Phrases
Although I had learned the terms a few days earlier, I got to help Wet Lab Lead Ethan Beyer collect otolith and stomach samples for the first time from a sub-sample of Hake the other day.
I watched and learned, then helped scan barcodes of otolith sample bottles, add 95% ethanol that is diluted 50/50 with water, and delicately pick up the ear bones with tweezers and place them in the bottle.
Additionally, each Hake in the sub-sample has its weight recorded, along with length, sex, and developmental stage. From that sub-sample, five stomachs are removed for later analysis, and five have their stomachs opened and their diet is recorded. We often find Lanternfish (Myctophids), Krill (Euphausiidae) and small Hake.
Wet Lab Lead Ethan Beyer weighing a Hake sample. Otolith tubes are in the foreground, those with lids have samples inside them and have been scanned into the database with other measurements and samples data from the Hake.
Mission: Fisheries: Pacific Hake Survey (More info here)
Geographic Region: Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California
Date: July 10, 2023
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Weather Data from the bridge:
July 7 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 36° 00.4’ N, 122° 05.9’ W 16nm (21mi) West of Big Sur, CA
Visibility: 10 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast Wind: 20 knots from NW 330° Barometer: 1013.1 mbar Sea wave height: 3-4 feet Swell: 6-7 ft from NW 320° Sea temperature: 14.0°C (57.2°F) Air temperature: 14.4°C (57.9°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 323° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 10 knots
July 8 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 36° 34.5’ N, 122° 05.3’ W 17nm (20mi) Southwest of Monterey, CA
Visibility: 10 nautical miles Sky condition: Few clouds Wind: 19 knots from NW 330° Barometer: 1013.8 mbar Sea wave height: 5-6 feet Swell: 6-7 ft from NW 330° Sea temperature: 14.0°C (57.2°F) 13.7 Air temperature: 14.4°C (57.9°F) 14.3 Course Over Ground: (COG): 089° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 10 knots
July 9 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 37° 06.8’ N, 123° 00.5’ W 30nm (35mi) West of Pigeon Point Light Station, Pescadero, CA
Visibility: 10 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast Wind: 13 knots from NW 332° Barometer: 1016.0 mbar Sea wave height: 2-3 feet Swell: 4-5 ft from NW 310° 4-5 Sea temperature: 14.3°C (57.7°F) Air temperature: 15.2°C (59.4°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 093° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 10 knots
July 10 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 37° 26.7’ N, 123° 06.4’ W 32nm (37mi) West of Pescadero, CA
Visibility: 8 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast, fog in vicinity Wind: 20 knots from NW 330° Barometer: 1015.9 mbar Sea wave height: 2-3 feet Swell: 3-4 ft from NW 320° Sea temperature: 14.5°C (58.1°F) Air temperature: 13.6°C (56.5°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 314° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 3 knots
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Science and Technology Log
Me holding a Hake before sorting. After observation, we determined this was a developmentally mature female, measuring 50cm (20in) long!
In my July 6 blog post, I explained how NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada is equipped to collect acoustic data in the form of echo grams. The acoustics team uses the data to determine if there are enough return signals to suggest fish are present and attempt a trawl. In this blog post, I will explain how we get the fish onboard, and what we do with the sample of marine life once it is collected from the net.
One question I had after learning about the acoustics and environmental DNA (eDNA) pieces of the survey mission was, “How does physically collecting and researching Hake samples fit into the puzzle of understanding their ecosystem and supporting sustainable fisheries?” (NOAA Fisheries quick facts and video here)
“While echosounders are useful, they do not provide certain quantitative data that researchers need to understand the ecology of these organisms and the midwater zone. To collect quantitative data, such as biomass, length and weight, and age class distributions, researchers must gather representational samples and take direct measurements of them. The best way to do this is by employing trawls.”
So, although acoustics and eDNA research is important to the overall survey, they are only pieces of the puzzle, and the puzzle is not complete without conducting trawls and physically researching samples. NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada uses a midwater trawl net that is deployed from the stern over the transom, and towed behind the vessel. As the name suggests, midwater trawls occur in the middle section of the water column, versus surface and bottom trawls. The net is conical in shape and uses two metal Fishbuster Trawl Doors, and two sets of heavy chain links called Tom weights, in order to keep the trawl in the middle of the water column.
“The midwater region is especially important because the creatures that inhabit it constitute the majority of the world’s seafood. Understanding the ecology of midwater organisms and their vast environment can provide us with better information to manage these important natural resources and prevent their overexploitation.”
Deck department assisting in recovering the trawl net after a successful deployment.
Once the net is onboard, the net is emptied one of two ways depending on the size of the sample. For large samples, marine life is deposited into a hopper and subsequent conveyor belt. For smaller samples, the Hake will be put into a large basket then divided into smaller baskets of approximately 100 Hake each. Any other marine life like Salps, Myctophids, Pyrosomes, Rockfish, King of the Salmon, and small bony fish, etc. are recorded in the database and returned to the ocean.
“The ship’s wet lab allows scientists to sort, weigh, measure and examine fish. The data is entered directly into the ship’s scientific computer network.”
NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO): “Bell M. Shimada”
Large basket containing a sample of Hake with a few (red) Splitnose Rockfish.
NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada’s Wet Lab with multiple scales, Ichtystick electronic measuring boards, trawl camera, vials for otolith (ear) bones, disposal chute, and tools including scalpels, tweezers, and knives.Wet Lab team member Maddie Reifsteck holding a Hake sample.Hake coming down the hopper ramp and onto the conveyor belt. Also in photo: Pinkish-brown Sea Pickle (Pyrosome) and translucent Salp.Basket of freshly caught Hake waiting to be sexed, sorted and have their length measured.Chemistry Lab team member Abi Wells using a scalpel to remove an organ sample from a Hake for further research of RNA.
With our boots and bright orange rubber pants and gloves on, our first task is to distribute the sample of Hake into baskets of about 100 each. Based on how many baskets we fill, a random selection of baskets will be kept, and the others will be returned to the ocean. With the remaining groups of Hake, we determine their sex and length.
In order to do this, we use a scalpel to make an incision on the underside/belly of the Hake. Once open, we are able to examine their organs, including the gonads to determine if the fish is male or female, and if they are developmentally immature or mature. Young Hake are difficult to sex, and it takes practice to get over any initial fears of cutting into an animal; let alone being able to locate and identify the gonads. Hake usually spawn in early winter, so many of the smaller Hake we sample from during the summer are age one or younger.
Our largest Hake thus far was a developmentally mature female, measuring 50cm (20in). In order to accurately and consistently measure the length of the sample, we use a waterproof, magnetic plastic board with metric (centimeter and millimeter) markings called an Ichthystick (think: high-tech meter stick). The fish is placed on the board with its mouth touching the black board at 0cm, then a magnetic stylus is placed at the fork of the fish’s tail. Once the magnetic stylus is placed on the board, the length to the nearest millimeter is displayed on the LCD screen and automatically entered into the database program. The length data is grouped with the date, time, and identified sex for later observation and comparison.
Additional information, abstracts and outline about Ichthystick here
Ichthystick’s LCD display, motherboard, magnetic board, and magnetic stylus. Digital scale in background.
An even smaller subgroup is then selected and examined to record weights of individual Hake, collect ear bones called Otoliths for aging, stomach samples for diet, liver for RNA, and ovaries for maturity development. Otolith bones help determine the age of the Hake because they grow a new “layer” of bone each year, similar to coral structures and annual tree rings. Organs and bones removed from the Hake are sent to NOAA Fisheries centers for analysis and included in databases with the date, identified sex, length, weight, and location in which they were collected.
This data is used to build more of the puzzle, along with acoustical information, water samples, and eDNA data in order to further understand the ecosystem, biomass, diet, and
“support sustainable populations of Pacific hake on the West Coast.” (…) “It provides vital data to help manage the migratory coastal stock of Pacific hake. The hake survey, officially called the Joint U.S.-Canada Integrated Ecosystem and Pacific Hake Acoustic Trawl Survey, occurs every odd-numbered year.”
Although this subtopic of explaining the Integrated Ecosystem and Pacific Hake Acoustic Trawl Survey is a bit easier to understand than my July 6 Acoustics Lab post, it certainly does not mean it’s an easy task!
When I had a tour on July 4, I remarked how clean and organized the Wet Lab is. I hadn’t see it in action yet, but noticed how everything had its place and use. On July 6 we conducted our first trawl and collected a sample of 11 baskets of Hake (approximately 1,100 Hake since we group about 100 Hake together in each basket.) From that sample, we kept four baskets and counted, sexed, and measured 541 Hake.
Five of us were working together in the Wet Lab for that haul. I’ll admit I probably didn’t sex 100+ Hake. It took a few minutes of watching the others carefully and swiftly cut into the underside of a fish, open the two sides, and know what to look for to determine the sex of very young Hake. Eventually I found the courage to slice in and take a look. By the fourth or fifth Hake, the uneasiness had subsided and I found the process very interesting and educational. Although young samples are hard to sex as they are often undeveloped, the others encouraged me and answered my questions and guesses with enthusiasm and support.
While working on measuring the lengths of our samples, one Science Team member paused and remarked how beautiful he found the fish. Although they do not have vibrant, bold colors, shimmering scales, or anything else particularly remarkable, he found the beauty in them. He digressed into a conversation of their role in the ecosystem, how they are living and breathing creatures, and how they probably all have their own personalities and slight physical differences. I noticed some of their eyes were shiny and sparkling, and how their faces and expressions were noticeably unique the more you looked. That “down to earth”, heartfelt discussion was very special and demonstrated how the crew respects the process of catching and sampling Hake, while keeping each other and marine mammals safe.
From the NOAA Corps Officers, to the deck department, to the engineers, electronics, science team, survey team, galley crew, volunteers, and everyone in between; the crew on NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada is special. They take pride in their vessel and job, and always seem to have a smile and kind greeting. Being away from land and loved ones for weeks and months at a time will certainly take a toll on the body and mind, but this team is there for each other. To all of the crew, thank you for making me feel so welcomed and appreciated. We’re almost halfway through the mission, and as tired as I may get after (sometimes) 12+ hour days, I sleep well knowing the crew trusts their vessel and each other; and look forward to learning and becoming more and more acquainted each day with the people that make this mission possible. Thank you!
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Did You Know? (FAQs)
1. Are you finding schools of them?
We’ve had seven successful trawls out of nine attempts for Pacific Hake fish. They often come with pyrosomes (Sea Pickle) myctophids (Lanternfish), and salps in the net too. Some trawl attempts are successful without a hitch, but more often than not we have to restart our Marine Mammal watches a few times before deploying in order to keep our ocean life safe and not get tangled in the net. Two trawl attempts have been abandoned because of the amount of persistent marine mammal life and playfulness near the ship. (I think they know we’re watching and show off for our cameras.)
2. What’s your average depth?
The transects (Set and numbered longitudinal east-west lines NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada navigates on while collecting acoustic data) usually range from 50m – 1,500m (164ft – 4,921ft) in depth.
However, right now one of the displays in the Acoustics Lab, the depth reading is 3,240m which is about 10,630ft or just over two miles deep!
This depth is only 1,870ft shallower than the wreck of the RMS Titanic!
(We were on a long transect, we do not often see depths this great.)
3. Have you gotten seasick? Seasickness should subside after about 3 days.
I’ve never gotten seasick thankfully! Knock on wood and all the other premonitions, please.
4. What is the Hake role in the ecosystem?
More info on this coming in later posts after explaining our Chemistry lab and technology aboard!
However, as predators, they can be cannibalistic towards their own kind.
As far as their role in human consumption: They are often used as a substitute for Cod and Haddock, and in fish sticks and imitation crab meat.
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Scott Davenport
Aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimida
May 21-May 27, 2012
Mission: Rockfish Survey Geographical area of cruise: Eastern Pacific, off the California coast and next to the Mexican Border Date: May 21, 2012
Personal Log
Hi, my name is Scott Davenport and I am excited to be a part of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program. It is going to be great. I teach at Paul T. Albert Memorial School located in scenic Tununak, Alaska. It is a Yup’ik village on the Bering Sea. Most families practice subsistence living. My subject is junior high generalist, meaning I teach everything. Last year, I had a great group of seventh and eighth graders. It was my first year in Alaska and as a full-time teacher. Everyone learned a lot.
Tununak Seventh and Eighth Graders. Can you tell it is the last day of school?
Teacher at Sea intrigued me because it opens wide array of possibilities. A consistent issue at our school is what comes next? Graduation is a celebration, but it also brings apprehension and uneasiness. There are not a wide range of jobs in the village. It is normally limited to fishing, teaching, being a cashier, store stocker, or bush pilot. A NOAA boat offers a wider range of careers. My experience on the ship will help my students make connections to new possibilities. The long cruises followed by long breaks fit with subsistence living. They can have the time to go on a two week moose hunt and not miss work. Being located on the sea, most of my students are acclimated to spending time on the water. My experience will open eyes.
While on board the Bell M. Shimada, we have seven objectives. Objective #1: Sample the epi-pelagic micronekton. That means–thanks to Cynthia explaining it to me–we are going to see what is living in the upper water column. The specific fish we are looking for are the juvenile rockfish. We will also survey Pacific whiting, juvenile lingcod, northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, market squid and krill. Objective #2: Characterize prevailing ocean conditions and examine prominent hydrographic features. Objective #3: Map the distribution and abundance of krill. Objective #4: Observe seabird and marine mammal distribution and abundance. Objective #5: Collect Humboldt squid. Objective #6: Conduct deep midwater trawls to examine mesopelagic specimen. Finally Objective #7: Examine feeding habits of jellyfish. My personal objective is to not vomit at sea.
The three things I am looking forward to most are meeting new people, witnessing scientific research, and learning new, unexpected items. My three biggest concerns are falling overboard at night into a never-ending dark abyss, the food, and making sure I contribute to the work/use my time wisely. I am also excited to have a break from snow.
NOAA Teacher at Sea Tanya Scott Onboard NOAA Ship Miller Freeman June 16 – 21, 2010
Mission: Ecology of Juvenile Fishes Geographical Area: Central Oregon/Washington Coast Current Location: 35 miles offshore, steaming to Seattle, WA Date: Sunday, June 20, 2010
Today is my last full day aboard the Miller Freeman. It is currently 4:00 pm and I have just woken up! I find that being on a ship rocks me to sleep. Or, could it be that I was up until 6:00 am this morning? Either way, I am fully rested and ready to rinse and store all of the scientific equipment in preparation for our departure tomorrow morning. We are currently steaming towards Seattle, Washington where we will depart the ship.
Our work on Saturday turned out to be very interesting. While pulling the midwater trawl, a small pod of Pacific Whitesided dolphin became interested in our tow. They swam very close to the net for a time and had everyone worried that they may become entangled. Luckily, they lost interest and swam away. If they had become entangled in the net there are many protocols that would have been implemented. The marine mammal stranding unit in Washington would have been called, a representative would have been sent to meet the ship, and many photographs taken as documentation. It is always a concern that marine mammals may become entangled in nets but fortunately, this time was not one of those cases.
Krill brought in from the midwater trawl.
The catches from our midwater trawl brought up the familiar species of krill, purple lanternfish, rockfish, and hake. Since the depth of this trawl does not target adult fish, we have been dealing almost exclusively with juvenile and larvae fish. Our last haul produced more larvae rockfish than usual, which is good for the scientists conducting this survey. They are, however, trying to determine where the largest concentrations of juvenile rockfish are during the season. Rockfish are an important species in the Pacific Northwest. It would be easy for you to think of how important flounder are in our area. Rockfish are harvested for sale in fish markets and therefore are threatened by over harvesting. It is important to monitor their movement and habitat in order to determine when and where Pacific Hake regulations should be put in place. Another commercially important species is the Pacific Hake. This fish is deboned and sold as fish sticks in the grocery store. I’m sure that most of you have eaten a Pacific Hake and didn’t even know. These fish are commonly caught by fisherman and, just as the rockfish, their populations are threatened by over harvesting. When Pacific Hake are caught in the midwater trawl, their length is measured, recorded, and the fish are returned to the ocean. All of the data collected by the scientist involved in this study will help to ensure the survival of these commercially viable species. More importantly, keeping their populations stable will mean that the food web remains intact. Just as we have discussed in class many times, everything on earth has its place. Something else always depends on it for food, shelter, survival, and well being.
Pacific Hake
Since today is the last full day on board we will be preparing the equipment for transport back to Newport, Oregon. It is important that everything is rinsed with freshwater to prevent corrosion. After being rinsed and dried, we will package everything in boxes. Our bunks will be stripped, our lockers emptied, and staterooms cleaned. Although my time on board is coming to an end, I know that I will have many memories and experiences to share with you when I return.
