NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada – Page 2 – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

August 12, 2025August 21, 2025

Joshua Gonzalez: Of Fish and Men, August 12, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Joshua Gonzalez

Aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada

August 11 – August 23, 2025

Mission: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey (Leg 4)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean, California Coast

Today’s Date: August 12, 2025

Weather Data from the Bridge:

Latitude: 43° 06.2’N

Longitude: 124° 38.8′ W

Wind speed: 9.2 kts.

Wave height: 1-2 ft.

Air temp.: 13° C (55° F)

Sky: Overcast

Science and Technology Log

An often paraphrased quote by Robert Burns goes, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Well, maybe that phrase also applies to fish.

The original plans for this leg of the survey were to head out to sea on August 8th. However, a winch on NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada stopped working before we took off. The winch is important as it helps to bring in the net which we need to catch the fish. It was a two day repair.

Then on the 10th we were all aboard and ready to leave when the wind decided to kick up. It was coming in at such an angle and strength that we did not have enough power to push away from the dock safely. So, we stayed in port for another night. We made the most of it by walking to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It was amazing to be with the scientists as we walked through the exhibits. They have so much knowledge and experience working with the creatures on display.

Thankfully, the next day, the wind cooperated, and right around 14:50 on August 11th, we were able to set off. There were cheers and fist pumps as we began our journey.

In our mission we are taking a survey of the West Coast Pelagics, but specifically we are looking for five main fish: Pacific sardine, jack mackerel, northern anchovy, Pacific mackerel, and Pacific hake. I will be focusing on CPS, Coastal Pelagic Species, which are the sardines, anchovies, and both mackerels. Those will be caught during the night time shift that I will be working, midnight to noon. The reason we catch them at night is that during the day they are spread out and feeding, but at night they come back together for safety.

This is important work because with the data we collect we will know more about the population, size, and location of the populations and that provides guidance on what should be done for commercial fishing of those populations. One way we are able to be more efficient in catching the fish is by using certain tools to help us know where the fish are. We use acoustics technology to determine where, how many, and what kind of fish.

Today I helped get a TDR, Temperature Depth Recorder, ready to attach to the net. This sends information back to the ship about the depth of the net and the temperature of the water. The information when combined with what we know from the acoustics helps us catch what we are after.

Josh, wearing a Teacher at Sea hat, stands in the wet lab holding a what appears to be a large metal tube in both hands. He smiles for the camera. — Me holding a TDR that is ready to be attached to the net.

Personal Log

Once again following the theme of the day, adaptation has been key. I knew my schedule going into this adventure was going to require me to change my sleep schedule. Once the departure date was thrown back three days, there was also no way for me to keep the midnight to noon schedule. So, I am back today trying to adjust.

I am also trying to adapt to the motion of the sea. I brought sea sickness medicine and have been taking it regularly as prescribed, but I am still feeling the effects of the motion a little bit. One good trick has been getting outside and looking at the horizon. That has helped quite a bit. I also enjoy being in the wet lab. It is a bigger space and that is helping me fight back the queasy feeling.

The food onboard has been terrific. I am eating well. Our main steward’s name is Phil. He makes some amazing food. That is one thing I have not had to adjust to in any way.

I have the internet and am able to make Wi-Fi calls. Back home there was a flash flood. A lot of friends and family are dealing with the loss of their things. Thankfully, I have not heard any reports of people having been hurt. It is tough to be away from friends and family. Thankfully, everyone on board has been really nice. It makes a tough situation easier when you have friends to talk with. I am looking forward to not feeling sea sick soon and having amazing learning experiences in the days and weeks ahead.

a view of the aft deck from an upper deck of NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada. One spool of netting is empty, attached by only two yellow lines to a trawl net that must be underwater. We can see straight through the A-frame. a few crewmembers, wearing life vests and hard hats but too far to be identifiable, stand around the A-frame. — Pulling in our first catch!

Did You Know?

Greenwich Mean Time is the local time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwhich, England where the Prime Meridian was established in 1884. It is used as a reference point for telling time all around the world. On the ship it can be difficult to keep track of time. The GMT is a way for all of us who come from different time zones and are on different schedules to keep track of what time things are happening.

Can you identify this species?

close-up view of anchovies swimming in water (likely taken through the glass at an aquarium)

Northern Anchovy – The rounded “nose” and the muppet style face are easy identifiers.

August 1, 2025August 1, 2025

Joshua Gonzalez: From the Dairyland to No Land at All, August 1, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Joshua Gonzalez

Aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada

August 8 – August 23, 2025

Mission: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey (Leg 4)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean, California Coast

Today’s Date: August 1, 2025

Personal Introduction

I am a city boy from the North side of Milwaukee. All of my education from kindergarten through my Master’s is from schools in Milwaukee and the greater Milwaukee area. I also teach in Milwaukee Public Schools and have done so for the last 20 years. When it comes to sports, I am a homer, and I am very proud of where I come from.

a group photo of Josh, his wife, and three children at the 50-yard-line of an empty football stadium — My family and me at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.

With that being said, I do love to travel and have new experiences. Many of the students that I teach come from the same neighborhood in which I grew up, which is not especially affluent. As a result, many of the children in my classroom do not have opportunities for experiences outside of the neighborhood, let alone outside of the city. Since they do not get to see a lot of the world, I make a point to try to bring as many experiences as I can into the classroom to help open up my students’ minds to the world around them. When they see and hear new unimaginable things, they begin to recognize that with education they too can go out and have adventures beyond what they thought was possible.

a scanned photograph of a younger Josh sitting on an open kayak in the ocean, with tall green mountains visible at one side — Enjoying the South Pacific Ocean.

I wanted to start with this background as it shows how I ended up in the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program. Jumping out of planes, swimming with sharks, hiking up mountains, playing college football, traveling to five continents (and more) are experiences that I draw from to make education more alive for my students.

Another way that I try to bring new opportunities for my students into the classroom is through incorporating agriculture into regular lessons. I helped to turn my school into an agriculture specialty school and we pair with a public high school that also specializes in agriculture education to make a pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade program.

I am sure that many of you reading this remember during Covid seeing empty shelves in the grocery store. For me, this was a startling sight as it was a first for me. It became clear to me that many people need to learn to be more self sufficient and supplement the food we have with what we can grow ourselves. To do that at my school we have made agriculture education a part of our regular curriculum. Many of my students eat a large percentage of processed foods, even when healthier and fresher options are provided to them. However, when they grow their own food, e.g. lettuce from our hydroponics machines, fruits from our “food forest,” and vegetables from our raised garden beds, they always come back for second or even third helpings. Providing them with real experiences in their education is affecting their lives now and, no doubt, into the future.

a group of students, dressed warmly in winter coats, walks through a large building housing a line of cows on the other side of a railing. signs hanging above the cows' stalls identify their breeds. — Some of my students learning about where their food comes from.

This is where I saw the Teacher at Sea Program fitting in. It is one thing to teach science and learn about the scientific method. I am looking forward to living it during my time on NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada. The knowledge, skills, and experiences that I gain as a part of this program will allow me to positively influence students’ education for years to come.

I have been trying to prepare myself for this opportunity in a number of ways. I will be working the midnight to noon shift and have been trying to adjust my sleep patterns a little already. Of course that means naps during the day and staying up late. I think I kind of like this schedule, although my wife probably would like me not to nap so much 🙂 Another thing I am trying to be proactive about is sea sickness. I stocked up on various treatments, but hopefully I’ll adjust quickly on the boat. I was recently on a boat for the day in Alaska, but I don’t think that will compare.

Josh, wearing a coat and knit hat, takes a selfie in front of a glacier — In Alaska at Holgate Glacier.

Growing up in the city, you don’t get to see as many stars with all the street lights. I can’t wait for the starlit skies at night and the sunrise over the ocean. There is so much to learn and experience and my journey is just about to start.

July 11, 2025July 11, 2025

Jojo Chang: See/Seafood, July 10, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Jojo Chang

Aboard Bell M. Shimada

June 30 – July 15, 2025

Mission: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey (Leg 2)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean, California Coast

Date: July 10, 2025

portrait photo of Jojo wearing a Teacher at Sea beanie, a Teacher at Sea t-shirt, a raincoat, and gloves with cut off fingers. She's on the aft deck an flashes a peace sign with her right hand. — TAS Jojo Chang

Weather Data from the Bridge

It’s noon, and the weather is cloudy and foggy. We are passing the coastal city of Carmel, California, but only a tiny sliver of land is visible from the ship. We are sounding the fog horn and traveling slowly. Currently, the air temperature is 54.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind speed is 14 knots.

Culinary: Art and Science

Let’s talk about Chef Phil, the Chief Steward on board. First things first: we are eating very well out here. And by “well,” I mean gourmet-level delicious. Chef Phil is a culinary artist, crafting remarkable meals that blend creativity and technique, even as the ship rocks and rolls like a theme park ride.

portrait photo of a man wearing a black baseball cap and a black and red apron. He stands in the mess hall with his hands resting on the backs of two dining chairs. Superimposed on the photo are the words: Phil / Chief Steward — Chef Phil Jones

His knife skills? Let’s just say they’re literally “rolling with it.” That’s how he describes chopping food at sea—adjusting in real-time to the ship’s motion.

Chef Phil has a rich background in the culinary world. He once spent six months perfecting the art of sushi rice with Morimoto, the world-renowned Japanese culinarian (made famous for his role on the TV series Iron Chef). Phil has also cooked for Disney at the Hilton Orlando and aboard multiple cruise lines.

Photo of a computer screen displaying the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus in three columns. The dinner list is Louisiana themed: "duck & andouille gumbo, gator nuggets w/remi, blackened shrimp, dirty rice, cheddar grits, succotash" — Sample daily menu . YES! We did have real gator nuggets.

“I’m not looking for a Michelin Star,” he says. “I just love what I do.”

view of a metal cafetaria bar with the dinner items in removable metal trays. we can see gumbo, nuggets, shrimp, and other dishes beyond. — Louisiana dinner menu

And that love shows—every single day. His food doesn’t just nourish, it brings joy. Thank you, Chef Phil, for making this ship’s mess hall taste like world class cuisine. It’s not a Michelin Star, but I’d give you five Shimada Stars. Chef Phil is assisted by Ted in the mess hall, preparing three amazing meals every day.

portrait of a man wearing a blue baseball cap and making a shaka sign with his left hand. he is standing in the galley. — Ted Partosan: Kitchen assistant

Market Squid

In the wet lab, we encounter the ocean food web on a very real level every day with each trawl that comes up from the depths of the sea. It’s one thing to read about the food web; it’s an entirely different thing to see the organisms arrive in a basket for dissection and inspection. You should know that before I came on this boat, I had only dissected (reluctantly) one small frog in high school biology class. In college and graduate work, I studied education and American literature. There was nothing in my Captain Ahab/Moby Dick thesis paper that prepared me for this experience except background research into the Nantucket whaling industry of the 1800s.

Now, my scalpel skills have become quite remarkable. I have seen the insides of hundreds of hake fish and preserved many an ear bone for science. Inside, I’m telling myself, “I can do hard (and often gross) things.” When I say this is a life-changing experience, I’m not kidding. It is life-changing because of the wonder and amazingness of the life force of the underwater world, which is both fascinating and mysterious. I loved the ocean before I came out here, but now I’m just blown away by the life and living creatures that are under the sea.

One creature that comes into the wet lab regularly is the market squid. At first, they seem rather ordinary, but on further inspection, these creatures have the most beautiful pink, yellow, and brown random polka-dotted pattern. It turns out that this crazy cool feature is called chromatophores (cells that produce color) , and cephalopods use them to communicate, camouflage, and attract a mate.

Most days, we haul in 100s of these remarkable sea squids. The magic can be seen by tapping them lightly, and watching as the polka dots appear. The transformation is fleeting, but amazing. Unfortunately, it is an important feature for live squid, and as they die, they lose the chromatophores.

close up view of the skin of a squid; it has a translucent background but is covered in magenta spots of varying intensity — Chromatophores on market squid.

Video showing how the polka dots magically appear and disappear.

Fish Vocabulary

So, I have all these new science friends, and at first, they seem like totally normal ocean-loving people—you know, the kind who go on coastal vacations, talk about scuba diving, and swap fishing stories. But get them into the wet lab? Suddenly, it’s like flipping a switch. These folks light up over fish ovaries, otoliths, and fin clips like they just unwrapped an Apple Watch on Christmas morning—or scored Tiffany diamonds from a secret admirer. I’ve never seen someone so genuinely thrilled to dissect a hake fish. It’s both impressive and slightly shocking. However, what I see with everyone on board, from the deck crew to the engineers, is joy in their occupation. There’s a passion and a purpose to what they are doing that is both impressive and heartwarming.

Sabrina Beyer inspecting fish ovaries through a microscope.

two women in bright orange overalls stand at a metal table in the wet lab. they are both looking down and pointing at a wirebound fish field guide laying flat on the table. — Sabrina Beyer inspecting fish ovaries through a microscope.

Before arriving on this boat, I had never heard of an otolith, aka oties. This is a fish ear stone or ear bone, and is the most commonly used item for understanding the age of a fish. Scientists count the rings on a pair of otoliths to age a fish much like they count the rings on tree. Ear stones and tree rings are like nature’s timekeepers and just as trees lay down a new ring each year as they grow, many fish form growth rings on their otoliths. These rings can be counted to estimate the fish’s age, offering a biological calendar etched in bone.

extremely close up view of a pair of otoliths against a spongy green background. the otoliths are nearly mirrors of one another, very elongated, and we can see faint gray rings, like contour lines. against their white background. — A large pair of hake otholiths.
They look like feathers.

Jojo, wearing a jacket, a bandana, and a backpack, stands at a very large tree cross section, holding her hand up as if to present it. The tree cookie has been annotated with small metal signs noting major historical events in the tree's lifetime. — A large pair of hake otholiths.
They look like feathers.

Both items that appear in Mother Nature’s patterns reflect changes in growth rate, which are influenced by environmental conditions. For trees, wider rings typically suggest years of good rainfall and favorable climate, while narrow rings indicate harsher times. Similarly, in fish, the spacing between otolith rings can vary depending on water temperature, food availability, and seasonal changes. Scientists aboard NOAA ships collect fish oties because they tell a hidden story about the life history and environment of the organism.

These ear bones are important to living fish for other reasons. According to NOAA Fisheries, “Otoliths are part of the fish’s inner ear, allowing fish to hear and sense vibrations in the water and providing a sense of balance so they may better navigate their surroundings.” Once, when my children were small, we had a pet fish named “Bubbles”. Bubbles swam upside down. I guess he must have had an otie issue.

Animals recently spotted from the ship or in the wet lab

Common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, rockfish, dogfish shark, strawberry squid, baby octopus, hake, butterfish, anchovy, market squid, king of the salmon

Live dogfish shark on board.

Three women work together to hold up a rather long, perhaps 4 ft, narrow fish with a large eye above a large bin of much smaller fish. The women all wear bright orange or yellow foul weather gear, personal flotation devices, and hard hats. Jojo stands at left and holds the fish's tail; the two other women hold the middle and the head. in the background, through a doorway, we see two other science team members and a portion of the trawl net. — Bringing in a ribbon fish known as king of the salmon. This is fish is not a salmon but is named such because of the legend that it leads salmon to its spawning area.

Works Cited

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Age and Growth.” NOAA Fisheries, 28 Feb. 2025, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/science-data/age-and-growth.

July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

Jenna Cloninger: Just Keep Swimming, July 9, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Jenna Cloninger

Aboard Bell M. Shimada

June 11 – June 26, 2025

Mission: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey (Leg 1)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean, California Coast

Today’s Date: July 9, 2025

Track the Ship: Bell M. Shimada

Personal Log

I’ve been home from my voyage for almost two weeks, and I have been avoiding this last blog post because I don’t want the adventure to truly be over. (I have avoided unpacking my suitcase for the same reason!) But alas, all good things must come to an end. After cruising beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and making our way to port in San Francisco on June 26th, I immediately hopped on a flight back to Atlanta and was in my own bed by 2:00 a.m. the next morning.

view of the Golden Gate Bridge from below; we can see the northern end where it meets Marin County. The sky is blue, and there is a line of low gray clouds. — Photo taken from NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada as we passed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco.

Saying goodbye to everyone aboard NOAA ship Bell M. Shimada was bittersweet, because I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever see those people ever again. (Thank goodness for modern technology, though, which will keep us connected.) Being at sea is an experience unlike anything I have ever done, and I am filled with so much gratitude for everyone who made this trip happen.

Classroom Connections

So, what’s next for me? Well, teachers in my area return to school on July 21^st, and so my summer is slowly slipping away. That means that very soon, I will have six new classes of oceanography students walking into my classroom, ready to learn about the ocean. But first, as with any classroom, we will spend some time getting to know each other before we dive into the curriculum. I plan on introducing myself with a slideshow of pictures and stories from my time at sea, because I want my students to see that an average teacher from a landlocked city without any special college degree can still explore the ocean. I went to school in this same district and was raised in this same town; I want my students to see themselves in me. I want my students to see that it is okay to be scared of something new and to try it anyway. I want my students to see that science is messy and can be unpredictable at times, but it’s all part of the process. I want my students to see science as a verb; as something that is experienced, not only something that is studied in school.

In addition, as part of my agreement with the NOAA Teacher at Sea program, I will be creating lesson plans for my classroom that incorporate some of the research conducted during my time at sea. I will also be creating curriculum content around oceanography careers for my students to explore. I also want to include social-emotional learning about skills such as collaboration, communication, and self-awareness.

I want my students to learn that it’s not always about what you know, but what you can accomplish alongside others. Learning in the classroom does not take place in isolation, and neither does working in the field. I want my students to leave high school and enter adult society as functional humans who can work with a team to achieve a common goal, even if they feel uncomfortable at first. I want my students to understand concepts such as comradery and morale, and to understand how their actions can affect others. And I want my students to feel confident in their ability to problem-solve and communicate with others in times of uncertainty. These are all skills that I witnessed firsthand aboard the ship, and I feel that these lessons are just as important as the science content that I teach every day.

This is goodbye for now, but as part of the NOAA Teacher at Sea alumni association, I hope there will be more opportunities for me to partner with NOAA to explore the big blue world. And in the meantime, I’ll do what the character Dory from Finding Nemo does – just keep swimming.

NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada, docked in San Francisco.

July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

Jojo Chang: NOAA Corps – Making “Mission: Impossible” Possible, July 6, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Jojo Chang

Aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada

June 30 – July 15, 2025

Mission: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey (Leg 2)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean, California Coast

Date: July 6, 2025

Weather Data from the Bridge

At 4:00 p.m., the temperature was 57.2°F (14°C). Our boat position was 35/17.2 North Latitude and 121/30.2 West Longitude. The sky was OVC 8 oktas, which indicates that all eight sections of the sky were filled with clouds.

Career Log: NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Onboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada are nine officers serving in the NOAA corps. This is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States government. NOAA Corps is a non-military branch that works to assist with ocean and atmospheric research. There is an application process to join NOAA Corps, and once selected, training is facilitated at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. According to the Commanding Officer Jeff Pereira, NOAA Corps’ job on this mission is to keep the crew and ship safe on the open waters at sea and to navigate the boat, ensuring success in both research and operations.

portrait photo of a woman wearing a navy blue NOAA Corps t-shirt (over a black long-sleeved shirt) and sunglasses, standing on the aft deck of the ship. Words superimposed on the photo read: Sanam / Ensign / NOAA Corps — Sanam, NOAA Corps Ensign

portrait photo of a man wearing a navy blue sweater, standing on deck. Words superimposed on the photo read: Aras / NOAA Corps / Senior Watch Officer — Sanam, NOAA Corps Ensign

Additionally, onboard there are many amazing deckhands who help with the challenging and somewhat dangerous operation of bringing the fishing nets in and out of the ocean.

portrait photo of a man wearing an orange t-shirt and a baseball cap, standing in the mess hall. Words superimposed over the photo read: Randy / Acting Chief Bosun

portrait of a man wearing a balck jacket and black overalls standing in a hallway, holding a cup of coffee and pointing upward slightly to acknowledge the photographer; words superimposed on the photo read Jimmy / Assistant Bosun

portrait photo of a man wearing a gray hoodie sweatshirt. it is hard to make out the background, but he stands on deck in front of gray skies and gray sea. words superimposed on the photo read: Shawn / Fisherman

portrait photo of a man in a beige t-shirt, standing in a hallway of the ship. words superimposed on photo read: Roy / Vessel Assistant

One particularly notable (and somewhat cinematic) event during our time at sea was the mid-cruise transfer of an additional crew member by small boat. Due to an unexpected medical emergency, one of the originally scheduled crew members critical to deck operations was unable to join the expedition, leaving the ship shorthanded for round-the-clock fishing and research duties.

view over the railing of an upper deck of a small vessel approaching the larger ship. we can see land not far away. the water is teal blue and the sky is mostly clear.

view over the railing from an upper deck at a small boat pulled alongside the larger ship. crewmembers on the vessel wear bright orange float coats.

To remedy this, a coordinated transfer was executed involving a small Coast Guard vessel and the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada. The NOAA Corps officers navigated the maneuver with impressive precision, transforming what could have been a logistical headache into what felt like a scene straight out of Mission: Impossible. The transfer was successful: the new crew member leaped—quite literally—onto the Shimada. With his arrival, we were once again fully staffed for 24/7 scientific operations.

Mammal Watch

The flying bridge is at the very top of the boat, so we get to see some interesting things up there. One fantastic and rare sighting happened when we spotted several humpback whales united in coming up to the surface to feed. According to fish biologist Sabrina Beyer, whales will make a circle around the fish and then travel up through the circle for an awesome meal.

This behavior is further explained by Augliere¹:

Around the world, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) use bubble-nets to trap certain prey such as krill, herring, and young salmon, sometimes in coordinated groups and at times alone. The whales dive down below their prey and swim in circles while releasing bubbles from their blowholes to create a rising curtain. The curtain creates a visual barrier that tricks the prey into thinking there’s no escape. Once the prey is tightly corralled, the whales lunge through the bubble-net with open mouths to swallow their meal.

photo of three humback whales, mouths agape, breaking through the surface of aquamarine water. they are surrounded by feeding gulls. — Photo by Roland Schumann on Unsplash

Additionally, one important part of the scientist’s job is called “mammal watch.” This is usually done from the bridge before fishing nets are placed into the water. Watching the ocean helps reduce the chance that a mammal like a dolphin or a whale gets stuck in the fishing nets. Last night, we had many dolphin sightings and had to move the boat to another location. This delayed fishing for several hours.

Did You Know?

Did you know that there are 15 NOAA ships in operation? Being from Hawaii, I’m particularly interested in the vessels stationed there. Hopefully, once back in Hawaii, I can arrange a tour for my students of the NOAA Oscar Elton Sette. The ship’s home port is Honolulu, Hawaii.

Animals Seen Today: Butterfish, Storm Petrel, Hake, Octopus, Market Squid, Anchovies.

Today’s catch brought in a small batch of our target fish – hake – along with other ocean creatures, including the adorable butterfish. But the real scene-stealer wasn’t a fish at all. A small storm petrel has unofficially joined the crew, making himself quite at home aboard NOAA ship Bell M. Shimada. With his sleek webbed feet built for water paddling, he’s more sea-worthy than the rest of us. We haven’t caught him in flight yet, but his dinner situation is well taken care of.

At mealtime, scientist, Amanda Vitale, casually announced, “I’ve got a squid in my pocket.” This nice little gourmet offering was for Mr. Storm Petrel, named Jeff, after our Commanding Officer. Only an oceanographer would stroll into dinner toting a cephalopod takeout menu. How funny!

Jojo, wearing a Teacher at Sea beanie, overalls, and bright orange gloves, holds up a butterfish for a photo and smiles for the camera. she is in the wet lab.

a dark-colored bird stands o two outstretched hands; we see equipment in the background that is hard to make out

Works Cited:

Augliere, Bethany. “How Humpback Whales Use Bubbles as a Tool.” National Geographic, 26 Aug. 2024, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/humpback-whales-bubbles-tools. Accessed 9 July 2025. ↩︎