Tag: seabirds

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Jacqueline Omania: Shrinky Dinks and Black-footed Albatrosses, July 20, 2025

Erica, Chad, and Jacqueline stand around one end of a wooden table in the wet lab and smile for a photo. Erica wears a teal sweatshirt with a small NOAA logo; Chad's sweater sports a National Marine Sanctuaries logo; Jacqueline wears her Teacher at Sea t-shirt and beanie. On the table are notebooks, datasheets, a walkie talkie.

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Jacqueline Omania

Aboard NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker

July 14- July 24, 2025

Mission: Oceanographic and Biological Monitoring of Davidson Seamount

Geographic Area: Davidson Seamount/Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Date: July 20, 2025

Weather Data from the Bridge

Latitude: 35° 36.65’ N

Longitude: 122° 47.97’ W

Wind Speed: 13 knots

Wave Height: 4-5’

Air Temperature: 15.3C/59F

Sky:  Overcast

Science and Technology Log: 

We have finished five transects with two left to go. Today (Saturday 7/19) we had the deepest drop to 2000 meters and collected eDNA samples for future processing by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). The work with eDNA (DNA shed from animals that have been in the area in the last 24-48 hours) compliments the first hand observations that the scientists on the deck are making. These samples are sent to MBARI and will be processed in 1-2 years. The time does seem long, yet the greatest challenge is getting the samples in the first place. So we are doing the essential work towards developing a deeper understanding of species distribution and how seamounts may be influencing the ocean’s biodiversity.

Once the CTD measurements and water sample collection is done at a station location, the ship moves again to the next CTD location on the transect. While the ship is moving along the transect, the seabird and mammal scientists are at work on the flying bridge (top deck of the ship) counting species seen within the observation zone (as detailed in previous post). So far, in five days of research, we have the following results.

  1. Tuesday: 331 observations- 284 seabirds, 47 mammals
  2. Wednesday: 303 observations- 274 seabirds (107 Red-necked Phalaropes), 29 mammals (19 fur seals, 6 whales)
  3. Thursday: 173 observations- 120 seabirds (mostly Red-necked Phalaropes, storm petrels and Ashy Storm Petrels), 53 mammals (mostly fur seals, whales and dolphins)
  4. Friday: 136 observations- 92 seabirds (mostly Leach’s Storm Petrels), 44 mammals
  5. Saturday: 74 observations- 40 seabirds, 34 mammals (mostly whales)

Our effort is adding up and we now have 994 observations! The team is happy as we have been having good weather and calm seas to allow for good observational data collection.

Alongside the research that we are working on, we are also having some fun with ‘ocean shrinky dinks’. As you descend in the ocean, the pressure changes, increasing one atmosphere (14.7 pounds/ sq. inch) for every 10 meters below sea level. Animals adapt in many ways to this changing pressure; whales collapse their lungs when they dive deep and rely on the oxygen in their blood and muscles during this time. We can see the results of this change if we send a material like styrofoam down; the pressure squeezes the air out and the item shrinks. The deeper the object goes, the more the air is squeezed out and the smaller it gets.

We decorated styrofoam that are in the shape of cones, bears and birds – thanks to marine ecologist Erica Burton who brought all the materials and decorating pens. We then attached these items in laundry bags to the CTD rosette on deeper drops of 1620m, 1710m and 2000m (the blue dots on the transect map shared in the last post). Once we pulled up the CTD rosette–voila! our ‘shrinky dinks’ were ready, at a fraction of the original size! I am very excited to share these tangible projects with my students as they learn about the ocean.

a styrofoam cone photographed next to a cardboard ruler that measures 15 centimeters long. the cone is a little taller than the ruler. it has been decorated with marker and now features a purple octopus and the words Davidson Seamount.
Styrofoam cone before being sent down
a styrofoam cone photographed next to a cardboard ruler that measures 15 centimeters long. the cone is wrinkled and it stretches about 10 centimeters high. it has been decorated with marker and now features a purple octopus and the words Davidson Seamount.
Styrofoam cone after being down 1710 meters below sea level
two styrofoam bears seated next to a cardboard ruler. one bear, plain white and smooth, is about 7 centimeters tall, and the other, decorated with marker, is wrinkled and only 5 centimeters high.
Styrofoam bears before and after 1620 meters immersion
close up view of two wrinkly styrofoam hearts. the left one is blue and says "Love So Deep." the right heart is a sunset over a wave with the words "Sunk 2000 meters"
Styrofoam hearts by Cassandra Dahl, survey tech after 2000 meters immersion.

Meet the Science Team!

I would like to introduce the team behind all this amazing science. Our chief scientist is Chad King, a research ecologist from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), also known for being the chief scientist on the 2018-2020 EV Nautilus expeditions with Ocean Exploration Trust that discovered the octopus garden along the flanks of Davidson Seamount at 3200 meters deep. A fun fact is that back in 2019, my class scored a virtual interaction with the Nautilus as it explored the deep ocean, with Chad as our ship-to-shore connection. Chad answered many of my students’ questions about studying the deep sea while actually on board the Nautilus. I never imagined that one day I would be able to join him on a research mission!

Assisting Chad with the CTD and eDNA work in the wet lab is Erica Burton, also a research ecologist from MBNMS. Erica specializes in ichthyology (study of fish), but has co-authored many research papers and the Davidson Seamount Taxonomic Guide, so she is known as a species expert. I am grateful to both of them for taking the time to explain the details of their work with me and for teaching me how to do eDNA sampling.

Erica, Chad, and Jacqueline stand around one end of a wooden table in the wet lab and smile for a photo. Erica wears a teal sweatshirt with a small NOAA logo; Chad's sweater sports a National Marine Sanctuaries logo; Jacqueline wears her Teacher at Sea t-shirt and beanie. On the table are notebooks, datasheets, a walkie talkie.
Erica Burton (research ecologist), Chad King (chief scientist) and myself in the wet lab.
Chad stands at a wooden table in the wet lab, a tablet on the table in front of him. He has his right hand pulled into his jacket sleeve as he grasps a miniature silicone (maybe) hand which he is using to write on, or pretend to write on, the tablet.
Chad King (chief scientist) entering data in the wet lab.

Interview with Chad King:

Chad is a research ecologist with MBNMS who has a background in kelp forest ecology, GIS and he is an expedition diver and diver trainer with NOAA. He has been working with NOAA since 2008 and has been involved in various projects with the sanctuary including microplastic monitoring. He lives in Gilroy with his wife and two children Maya and Noah. Maya is studying at UC Berkeley and Noah is in high school.

Why is your work important?

Regular research, with our partners, is important for the sanctuary because we study priority or new issues such as kelp loss and microplastics, but we are also working on the ongoing characterization and exploration of the sanctuary. Exploration is so valuable because you don’t know what you will find.

What do you enjoy about your work? What is a challenge?

I enjoy the variety of work- I get to be a “jack of all trades”- and do different work week to week. It is fresh and engaging and I am exposed to more subjects related to the sanctuary. A challenge is having enough time to analyze the data since I am moving from project to project.

When did you know you wanted an ocean focused career?

As a child I feared the ocean, and over the years I learned that the best way to overcome fear was with knowledge. I watched a lot of ocean documentaries by Jacques Cousteau and visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By middle school, I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist. After high school, I went to UC Santa Cruz and majored in marine biology. After trying out working in real estate for 4 years, I returned to marine biology for a master’s degree from Moss Landing Marine Lab.

What book/activity do you recommend to a young person interested in an ocean focused career?

Bully for Brontosaurus: Reflections in Natural History is an engaging book that focuses on science and critical thinking skills. Reading it turned me on to science. I also recommend trying snorkeling as early as you can. Also, if it is possible, become a certified SCUBA diver. You can do so as early as age 10.

The Bird and Mammal Team

While Erica and Chad work in the wet lab, on the flying bridge are the bird and mammal specialists from Point Blue Conservation Science. Point Blue is a group of  “160 scientists who work to reduce the impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental threats while developing nature-based solutions to benefit both wildlife and people.”

On our mission we have biologists Jim Tietz, Rudy Wallen, Julie Howar and Mike Johns from Point Blue. We also have Holly Lohuis, a marine life naturalist from Island Packers; Melissa Ashley, a CA Sea Grant Fellow; and NOAA Hollings Scholar Kylie Marozsan.

A group photo of three men and three women standing in a line under the shade of an upper deck of NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker. All but one of them have a pair of binoculars hanging around their necks.
Bird and Mammal Team: Kylie Marozsan, Julie Howar, Mike Johns, Rudy Wallen, Holly Lohuis, and Jim Tietz on the flying bridge.
portrait photo of a woman in a jacket and a Point Blue Conservation Science beanie, wearing binoculars around her neck, standing near the railing of the ship. The sky is cloudy and gray; the sea is gray as well.
Julie Howar
Point Blue Marine Scientist
portrait photo of a man in a sweatshirt, jacket, beanie, and cutoff gloves, seated in an observer's chair near the rail of an upper deck. a pair of binoculars, and a pair of sunglasses, hang around his neck. he is not quite smiling for the camera so much as giving it a side-eye
Rudy Wallen
Point Blue Marine Scientist
portrait photo of a man in a warm jacket and a baseball cap with a whale on it; he's under the shade cover of an outer deck
Jim Tietz
Point Blue Marine Scientist
portrait photo of a man wearing a warm coat seated on an observing chair next to the ship's railing. he's grasping binoculars in both hands, but holding them down from his face so he can smile for the camera.
Mike Johns, Point Blue Marine Scientist

Interview with Marine Ecologist Mike Johns

Mike Johns is a senior marine ecologist on our team. He works for Point Blue Conservation Science which is based in Petaluma. His focus is seabird studies and the Farallon Islands. He lives in Tacoma, Washington with his husband and his dog Noosa.

Why is your work important?

My work brings an understanding of how seabirds and the ecosystem depend on one another and respond to changes in our planet. I’m documenting how our actions impact the organisms we share our planet with.

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy collecting data in the field through hands-on studies of birds, and once back at the office, revealing hidden patterns with long term data sets and creating engaging graphics – like animations of plots – that the general public can learn from.

What is a challenge?

Navigating the politics of work and staying funded are challenges. Working remotely is hard because you have no friends to bounce ideas off of.

When did you know you wanted an ocean focused career?

I’ve always loved camping in the Sierra Nevada as a kid, and surfing – once I discovered the ocean. Right after high school, at the age of 18, I worked as a deck hand on a whale watching boat in Monterey. The whales were cool, but I was captivated by the sea birds and how they can be the tiny size of a sparrow and spend their whole life at sea.

What was your path to becoming a marine ecologist ?

I attended CSU Monterey Bay and majored in environmental science. After graduating, in the summer of 2012- from March to August- I did the Farallon Seabird Internship. I lived in an 1850’s lighthouse keeper’s house with 4-8 others and was immersed in wildlife and the ocean. Whenever you went outside the Western Gulls were attacking us! On the Farallones, I learned about observation, banding and other elements of field research. This experience gave me the background to get other projects. I have worked on various sea bird projects in the Bering Sea (Alaska), Hawaii and Tasmania.

What books and activities do you recommend to someone who is interested in an ocean focused career?

Carl Safina has written many books on the ocean. I recommend Song for the Blue Ocean and Eye of the Albatross. For activities, I recommend tidepooling, bird and whale watching and …. looking at a droplet of water under a microscope.

portrait photo of a woman wearing a bright orange coat and a knit hat that says Antarctica; she gazes out of frame; we can see the rail and the ocean behind her
Holly Lohuis, Island Packers Naturalist

Interview with Naturalist Holly Lohuis

Holly is a naturalist with Island Packers, the boat concession to Channel Islands National Park and marine educator with the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. She also is the co-director of the newly designated Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area and has been an expedition diver and marine biologist with Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of Jacques Cousteau) and his marine conservation organization, Ocean Futures Society since 2002. She lives in Carpinteria with her partner Chuck and son, Gavin.

Why is your work important?

The ocean covers over 70% of our planet and contains over 90% of the living space. Yet, there are many unknowns about the ocean, especially in the deep sea and the rich diversity of marine life around seamounts. That’s why long-term monitoring by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is vital for informing decisions about preserving these unique ecosystems.

What do you enjoy about your work here at Davidson Seamount?

I love being part of a team where the crew and scientists all share a deep passion for ocean conservation. Every day, I’m learning something new—especially about seabird species—thanks to the expertise of our seabird biologists. 

What is a challenge?

It is a challenge to be away from home but my work for decades has taken me away from home, traveling around the world with Jean-Michel Cousteau and his expedition team. But I still miss Chuck, Gavin, my friends, family and my cat Avalon. 

When did you know you wanted an ocean focused career?

In 5th grade, my teacher Ms. Brown asked us to do a report on who we wanted to be when we grew up. I chose Sylvia Earle because I was fascinated by her deep-sea dives and ocean exploration. I also loved watching the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and like many people, I dreamed of being a silver suited diver on Cousteau’s team. Growing up landlocked in Sacramento, I knew I’d eventually want to live by the ocean.

What was your path to becoming a naturalist?

I went to UC Santa Barbara and majored in aquatic biology. In my last year of college, I interned at the Marine Mammal Rescue Center in Santa Barbara. After graduating, I worked at a local dive center in Santa Barbara and then with Island Packers. I also connected with Jean-Michel Cousteau and was hired as a diver and marine biologist at his small eco-resort in Fiji. My experiences both aboard Island Packers’ boats and while working in Fiji deepened my passion for educating others about the incredible diversity and delicate nature of both kelp forests and coral reefs, and how each of us can make a meaningful difference in protecting our ocean.

What books and activities and advice do you have to someone who is interested in an ocean focused career? 

I recommend any books by Dr. Sylvia Earle like The World is Blue and Sea Change. I also love books by Carl Safina, Susan Casey and Cullum Roberts.

Take advantage of internship opportunities. Volunteer for local marine or coastal organizations and meet like-minded people who can be mentors and help with job opportunities.

Getting scuba certified can open up many opportunities in marine science and conservation work.

Go whale watching! Follow your curiosity. Learn the science. Spend time in, on, and near the ocean. And most of all—share what you love with others. Ocean careers need storytellers, scientists, educators, and advocates working together.  

Personal Log:

I am getting into my routine of waking up and joining the observation crew on the flying bridge. It is such a beautiful gift to be out on the Pacific learning to do bird and mammal observations. I am gaining observation skills and have been seeing so many more animals. I know now how to spot groups of whales far out on the horizon. I have observed minke and blue whales and marveled as Laysan Albatross and Black-footed Albatrosses gently glide over the surface of the water. I am so happy to learn about these types of albatrosses in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. My students and I have been studying albatrosses in the context of Antarctic animals and now I have the knowledge to teach about these local species.

The animal observations on the flying bridge last approximately 45 minutes to one hour and then there is a break during CTD rosette deployment stops. Some scientists go for coffee and snacks; others -like Holly- go to the gym and run a mile on the treadmill. Holly has been an inspiration and I am also going down to the gym to work out once a day (Holly goes 3 times a day to run over 3 miles!). I am quite proud of myself for being able to do cycling and the elliptical machine with all the rocking of the boat. The waves are getting a bit stronger these days and I am adapting.

exercise equipment in the workout room
Gym on the Reuben Lasker

I have also been getting to know many of the people on board that are supporting the work of the scientists- both NOAA Corps and the crew. I have been interviewing some of them to prepare for future posts. Our meals continue to be amazing; tonight for Sunday dinner we had steak and lobster as an option. On every cruise, there is a special meal night and tonight was that night. There’s always a vegetarian option as well as a large salad bar at every meal. Tonight’s special desert was the ice cream sundae which is appropriate since it was World Ice Cream Day!

close up view of a plated dinner: lobster tail, baked potato, salad
Sunday night dinner
a bowl of ice cream with many toppings
Ice cream sundae (Sunday dinner)

We are also building community aboard the ship as time passes. It is a bit like being in a dorm in college; however, we are even more tightly together since the ship is our only place to go. Yet, it is wonderful to share a space so closely with people that have a passion for science, the ocean and its conservation. With shipboard life, they also have the time and interest to share their knowledge. I am learning so much from every person I meet. I am also amazed that so many people – especially on the crew- have worked in Antarctica.

We are also having fun. On Saturday, we had a barbeque with a cooking challenge. The crew set up a cornhole game on the lower deck. In the evenings, after dinner and after our 8 o’clock science meeting, we play card games. Amity, my roommate, leads these with a treasure chest of games she has brought on board. I have learned several new and wonderful card games – like Skyjo and Exploding Kittens- to share with my class.

a game of cornhole on deck. Jacqueline, wearing her Teacher at Sea hat and t shirt, takes a step forward as she tosses a red bean bag across the way. her competitor, Mike, stands back with a pile of bean bags in his hand. in between is a white cornhole board with some bean bags resting on it. behind them, the sky is cloudy and the water is gray.
Cornhole at sea
six people sit around a table, mid card game. in the background is an array of computer monitors with screensavers images from Finding Nemo
Card games – our nightly pastime

Did you know?

Black-footed Albatross nest in the Hawaiian Islands and 98% of the species lives there. They mate for life, lay one egg per clutch and are very long lived; the oldest recorded was a male at nearly 61 years old. They have a keen sense of smell and can detect their favorite food as they glide over the vast ocean. Their wingspan averages 6’9”. Like other seabirds, the albatross can drink saltwater because it has special glands above the eyes that excrete the salt out of their tubenose bill.  Black-footed Albatross are on the threatened species list and are threatened by plastic pollution, oil spills and long line fishing. 

a bird flying just above the surface of the ocean. it has black feet.
Black-footed Albatross flying in the sanctuary
Photo Credit: Jim Tietz
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Kiersten Newtoff: Bird is the Word. January 27, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kiersten Newtoff
NOAA Ship Pisces
January 6 – January 27, 2025

Mission: Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Coast
Date: January 27, 2025. Due to weather, we had to dock a couple days early, but I already had some posts planned out!

The last science crew spotlight is of the best1 crew: team birds! And to wrap it up, a spotlight on the Chief Scientist that put the science crew together: Debi.

Bird is the Word (Have You Heard?)

A photograph of the horizon with 50+ Northern Gannets diving into the water.
A huge flock of Northern Gannets dive bomb into the water for a snickety-snack. Credit: Allison

Okay, so why birds? I think this class of organisms is one of the best for future wildlife biologists to get started in because they are everywhere, both visually and auditorily findable, and their biodiversity is well documented. Birds also serve as an excellent bioindicator of ecosystem health because of their ubiquitous distribution. Many species are at the top of the food chain, so we can see how pollutants biomagnify to the highest trophic levels. Some species are habitat specialists, and their relative numbers can provide insight into our changing world. In the ocean, seabirds and whales share a common meal – so where there are birds, there’s a chance for marine mammals. Likewise, smaller breeding colonies can provide insight to fisheries health that affects both marine life and human sustenance. If there’s a consistent decline, redistribution, or mass mortality in birds, then scientists will investigate the environment to find clues for these changes. It’s likely affecting other organisms too, but we just don’t notice them as quickly. Another reason to study seabirds is:

Because they’re cool.
                          Nick

Meet the Bird Nerds

Allison and Nick pose for the camera and are wearing heavy duty cold weather gear on the flying bridge.
Allison and Nick bundled up on the flying bridge. Credit: Ryan

One of the seabird observers on this cruise is Allison. In undergrad she majored in Zoo and Wildlife Biology and worked as a zookeeper after graduation. A shoulder injury and subsequent surgery took her out of the field for a few months and it was during this time she decided to pursue birds as a full time career, as she had really enjoyed an ornithology course in college. After her recovery, Allison worked as a Coastal Steward for Tuckernuck Island, MA for a few years, working with gulls and shorebirds. She teamed up with a local professor and also did MAPS banding of songbirds on the island. She presented some of their gull research at the Waterbird Society meeting in New Bern, NC in 2016 and participated in a pelagic cruise field trip. That’s when she got hooked onto seabirds. Allison has been a contractor for NOAA since 2019 and usually spends over 120 days a year at sea doing seabird surveys out of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center with EcoMon and AMAPPS. Outside of these tours, she does lots of guest speaking for universities, libraries, birding clubs, and other conservation organizations about birding life on the high seas. Allison maintains many Excel sheets with all sorts of fun data, but the most impressive is her list of the 162 bird species seen on/from the ship!

Birds of the Sea, a haiku
Choppy seas today,
But the birds still fly and zoom.
Was that a puffin?

Indeed, it was a puffin.
Credit: Nick

The other seabird observer onboard is Nick whose journey to birds started after his freshman year in college; he spent the summer in the Bering Sea collecting phytoplankton. There just happened to be a seabird observer on board who taught him a lot between his phytoplankton duties. After graduating, he found a researcher who was working with Adelie penguins near Palmer Station, Antarctica (there’s a live webcam of the penguins!). He “cold-emailed” (comes from the idea of ‘cold calling’ where you reach out to someone who you don’t know) this researcher soon after graduating asking about opportunities to work with him. It took 2 years of Nick getting more experience and sending a few more emails to finally convince the researcher to let him join a research trip in 2008. Nick spends 6-8 months a year doing various field work: marine mammal aerial surveys, studying puffins in Maine, turtle work in North Padre Island, field projects for National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service, and many more. In 2013, he was hired by a contracting agency to work on NOAA cruises which he has been doing since. He likes the seasonal work because he gets a lot of time to spend with family, traveling, and just doing what he wants to do.

Meet the Chief Scientist

Debi poses for the camera on the fly bridge.
Debi is bundled up on the fly bridge, likely fixing the tech!

The big science boss lady is Debi, a research fisheries biology at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA. She is the branch chief of the newly minted Conservation Ecology Branch within the Protected Species Division. Specifically, she focuses on the spatial and temporal abundance of marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. These data are critical in understanding how many of these organisms there are and how many are accidentally taken by humans. She’s also involved with the International Whaling Commission and the head of the US delegation to the Scientific Committee. As branch chief, her duties are split between science and admin tasks. She may start her day working on a publication about harbor porpoise bycatch, and in the afternoon she’s organizing group travel to meet with International Whaling Commission scientists to discuss the status of whales and other related science. Debi started with NOAA as a Ph.D. student out of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in 1987 and began her professional role in 1991. She’s been working with protected species the entire time, but the species and goals change over the years as we learn more. On this cruise, she leads the teams with scheduling, monitoring weather conditions, double-checking and processing the data, and liaising with the ship. She also designed the tracklines we collect data on; then after the cruise she will analyze the data and hopefully publish the results.

How to Join the Flock

  • Be open to all sorts of jobs. There are so many jobs out there that you don’t even know are jobs.
  • Every job, internship, volunteer opportunity you can learn something. You’ll get as much out of it as you put into it.
  • Be flexible – this field is dependent on grant funding. One year a position may exist, but maybe not next year.
  • Check out the job boards for ornithology opportunities and wildlife biology opportunities
  • Work on building quantitative skills such as statistics, coding, and GIS. Those skills are more likely to get you hired than just having a biological background.
  • Speaking of skills, don’t pigeonhole (heh) yourself to just birds, the more you can do, the more likely you will land a position. Being able to ID mammals or turtles, maneuvering/repairing small boats, manning drones, collecting biopsies, and vessel and aerial surveys are all helpful.
  • Network, network, network. Any internship, job, seminar, or experience you do, get to know the people. They will be critical in finding positions.
  • Reflect on your career and life goals. This kind of work is almost exclusively short-term temporary positions without benefits. Consider how long you want to work in the field before moving to something else, such as graduate school (which having the field experience is really beneficial!).

1There is absolutely no bias in this statement.

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Cara Nelson: Report from the Flying Bridge, September 16, 2019

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Cara Nelson

Aboard USFWS R/V Tiglax

September 11-25, 2019


Mission: Northern Gulf of Alaska Long-Term Ecological Research project

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northern Gulf of Alaska – currently sampling along the Seward line.

Date: September 16, 2019

Weather Data from the Bridge:

Time: 16:10
Latitude: 59º36.465’
Longitude: 149º14.346’
Wind: North 12 knots
Air Temperature: 16ºC (61ºF)
Air Pressure: 1001 millibars
Clear skies


Science and Technology Log

The Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) study focuses on ecosystem dynamics in the Northern Gulf of Alaska (NGA) and how the complex processes of abiotic factors, such as ocean salinity, temperature, currents, and trace metals influence primary productivity of phytoplankton.  The project examines how efficiently this energy is transferred, in turn, to higher trophic levels, from zooplankton to vertebrates, such as fish, seabirds and marine mammals. 

Over the past twenty years, seabird and marine mammal observations have been an important component of the LTER study. Approximately 50 species of birds inhabit the NGA either year-round or seasonally, with a variety of foraging behaviors and diets. Through the LTER, we can learn about how physical and biological oceanographic processes influence the distribution and abundance of higher trophic levels, such as seabirds.

Dr. Kathy Kuletz with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the lead scientist for the seabird part of the research program. Dan Cushing is the seabird and marine mammal observer aboard R/V Tiglax.  He holds a master’s degree in wildlife science and has a wealth of experience in birding both on and offshore.  This fall cruise marks Dan’s eleventh cruise observing in the NGA.  Whenever the R/V Tiglax is underway, Dan can be found on the flying bridge collecting data. 

flying bridge
The flying bridge (named for its bird’s eye view) is an open viewing area atop the wheel-house of R/V Tiglax accessed by a ladder.

Observations are made using a protocol established through the USFWS.  Dan records survey data using a computer on the flying bridge that records both time and GPS coordinates of each bird or mammal sighting. 

Dan on flying bridge
Dan actively observing on the flying bridge.
estimating distance
A chopstick with markings on it helps Dan estimate bird distance. Dan made this simple distance measuring tool using high-school trigonometry. When the top of the stick is placed on the horizon, the markings along the stick correspond to distances from the boat.
observing laptop
Dan is able to quickly document the species seen, abundance and any special notes using the computer program.

It is immediately clear that bird sightings along the LTER follow a pattern.  Inshore, diving bird species are common, such as common murres, puffins and cormorants.  Pelagic bird species inhabiting deeper waters are mostly surface-feeders, and rely on processes such as fronts and upwellings at the shelf break to concentrate prey at the surface where feeding occurs.  Albatross, shearwaters and storm-petrels are abundant as we head further out on our sampling lines.  

birds on the dock
Pelagic cormorants and black-legged kittiwakes sit on the dock in Seward prior to our departure.
black-footed albatross
A black-footed albatross. Photo credit: Dan Cushing

Dan’s experience on the LTER study is helpful in that he can comment on both changes he sees from the spring, summer and fall cruises but also over the past several years.  For example, in winter 2015-16, a large die-off event of common murres was observed in Alaska following an extreme warming event called “the blob” in the North Pacific.  The murre die off was due to starvation from lack of forage fish availability.  A question of the LTER study is how is the ocean chemistry, primary production, and zooplankton abundance tied to events such as this. Today, the murre numbers have not completely rebounded in the NGA and other species, such as the short-tailed shearwater are beginning to experience die-offs in the Bristol Bay area.   In addition to shifts in bird populations, fish that frequent warmer waters, have been observed in the NGA, such as the ocean sunfish.  Dan spotted one on this trip along our Middleton line swimming at the surface near a flock of albatross. 

The fall survey is occurring when birds are preparing for harsh winter conditions or long migrations.  We have spotted a few birds already changing to a winter plumage, which can make identification that much more challenging.  As the strong September storms hit us, it is amazing to watch the birds handle the strong winds and driving rain.  Last night as we worked on our nightly plankton tow a gale blew up around us.  The winds picked up to 30 knots and the seas began to build to 10 feet, and the aptly named storm-petrels kept us entertained.  At one point, we turned around and one had accidently gotten to close and seemingly stunned itself by hitting the back deck.  We watched as it shook off the confusion and again took flight into the storm. 

fork-tailed storm petrel
A fork-tailed storm petrel. Photo credit: Dan Cushing

One of the exciting things about Dan’s job and my time observing with him was the sightings of rare and endangered species.  Just off of Cape Cleare, as I sat on the flying bridge with Dan, I heard him exclaim, “no way!” as he grabbed his camera for some shots.  After a few quiet moments, he shared that he had officially has his first sighting a Manx shearwater.  The Manx shearwater has a primary range in the Atlantic Ocean, with rare but regular (1-2 per year) sightings in the NGA.  There currently are no confirmed breeding locations identified in the Pacific Ocean. Every new sighting adds to our limited understanding of this small and mysterious population. Another exciting observation, although more frequent for Dan, was the short-tailed albatross.  This beautiful bird, with its bubble-gum pink bill, is currently critically endangered, with a global population of only about 4000.  The good news is that the population is currently rebounding from extremely low numbers. 

short-tailed albatross
A short-tailed albatross. Picture credit: Dan Cushing

Dan has not only done an amazing job as an observer but also as a teacher.  He has helped me identify the birds as we see them and given me tips on how to hone in on particular species.  In addition to this, he has supplied me with amazing facts about so many of the species, I am in awe of his knowledge, patience and his skill as a seabird and mammal observer.

Cara observing
I am getting better at identifying northern fulmars on a beautiful evening on the flying bridge.


Personal Log

One of the biggest questions I had (as well as my students) prior to my trip, was how would I handle sea sickness.  I must say for a person who used to get sea sick snorkeling, I am thrilled to announce that I am sea sickness free.  After riding through three strong gales with 12+ seas and 35-40 knot winds without any major problems, I think I’m in the clear.  I owe a lot of it to consistent Bonine consumption!

Additionally, I would say I officially have my sea legs on. I have gotten really good at working, walking, eating, typing, and my brushing my teeth in high seas as the boat tosses about.  One of my favorite phrases is when Captain John says, “the seas are going to get a bit snappy.” I asked him what he meant by this and he explained that snappy means the waves are sharp and about 8-12 feet in height in contrast to the swells.  They hit the ship with a snap that causes it to vibrate, rather than just allowing it to slowly roll over them. 

A last thing that has surprised me on this trip so far is the warm weather.  I am typically always cold and was worried about how I would manage working outside on the nightshift in the elements.  The weather, despite intermittent storms has remained surprisingly warm and with our mustang suits and rain gear, we have remained mostly dry.  Almost daily we have had the pleasure of a beautiful ocean sunset, a full moon rising and stars over our heads.  Now we are just crossing our fingers for some northern lights to grace our presence.

sunset
Another sunset over the Northern Gulf of Alaska!


Animals Seen from the Flying Bridge

Mammals:

Fin whale
Humpback whale
Dall’s porpoise
Harbor porpoise
Stellar sea lion
Harbor seal
Sea otter

Birds:

Greater scaup
White-winged scoter
Sandhill crane
Red-necked phalarope
Red phalarope
South polar skua
Pomarine jaeger
Parasitic jaeger
Commone murre
Thick-billed murre
Pigeon guillemot
Marbled murrelet
Ancient murrelet
Parakeet auklet
Horned puffin
Tufted puffin
Black-legged kittiwake
Mew gull
Herring gull
Glaucous-winged gull
Arctic tern
Pacific loon
Common loon
Laysan albatross
Black-footed albatross
Short-tailed albatross
Fork-tailed storm-petrel
Northern fulmar
Buller’s shearwater
Short-tailed shearwater
Sooty shearwater
Flesh-footed shearwater
Manx shearwater
Red-footed booby
Double-crested cormorant
Red-faced cormorant
Pelagic cormorant
Great blue heron
Northern harrier
Bald eagle
Merlin

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Shelley Gordon: The Serengeti of the Sea, July 26, 2019

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Shelley Gordon

Aboard R/V Fulmar

July 19-26, 2019

Mission:  Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies Survey (ACCESS)

Geographic Area of Cruise:  Pacific Ocean, Northern and Central California Coast

Date:  July 26, 2019

My NOAA Teacher at Sea experience wrapped up yesterday with our 7th, and final, day of the cruise.  Our last day was another observation-only day where we travelled along two transects (lines 5 and 7) and recorded what could be seen from above the water.  I want to wrap up my experience by sharing some information about this observation technique and what I’ve learned about some of the living things we were able to observe on this trip. 

The Serengeti ecosystem in Eastern Africa is well known for its diversity of life and massive annual migrations.  On the wall of R/V Fulmar there is a large map of the three National Marine Sanctuaries (Cordell Bank, Greater Farallones, and Monterey Bay) off the coast of central California with the words “the Serengeti of the Sea” written at the bottom.  Like the Serengeti, the marine ecosystem in this area of the world supports a high diversity of life and intricate food webs.  Many of the species that thrive in these waters migrate from great distances, far greater than the well documented wildebeest migrations in Africa. 

A map of the protected areas off the central California coast.
Image from farallones.noaa.gov

The three National Marine Sanctuaries and adjacent state and federal parks protect a total of 10,676 square miles of habitat, helping to create a thriving ecosystem.  One thing that became clear to me on this cruise is that this is a massive amount of space!  To collect observation data, scientists sit on the flying bridge (or upper deck) and systematically record what they can see as the boat moves at a constant speed of ~10 knots along the transect.  Depending on the weather (we had days that were pretty foggy and other days that were overcast, but pretty clear), you can see several kilometers in any direction.  To complete an offshore observation line, it takes about 2.5 hours.  So, it is a full day to complete 2 observation lines, especially when you include the travel time to and from each line.  During that time, there are times when you can see very little other than wind-blown whitecaps on the surface of the water.  There are other times when there is a frenzy of activity.

(From left to right) Dani Lipski, Dru Delvin, Rachel Pound, Jaime Jahncke, Kirsten Lindquist, and Jan Roletto recording observation data from the flying bridge.

There are four roles is the observation data collection.  Sitting on the starboard side of the boat, Kirsten Lindquist’s job is to identify and describe all of the birds she observes within 200 meters of the side of the boat.  Some examples of “calls” she made include: “Common Murre, 3, zone 2, water” or “Western Gull, 1, zone 1, flying, 270°.”  To explain, she calls out the name of the bird, the number that she sees in the group, the relative distance they are from the boat (zone 1 or zone 2), and what they are doing (sitting on the water, flying, feeding, etc…).  This data is all recorded in the computer by Jaime Jahncke.  Dru Devlin and Jan Roletto (one on each side of the boat) are responsible for observing other things on the surface, including animals, boats, fishing gear, trash, kelp, etc…  An example of a call they relay to Jaime to record is:  “First cue blow, by eye, bearing 270°, reticle 5, observer 9, side 1, traveling, humpback whale, 2, 3, 2.”  There is a lot going on in this data, but it basically explains the observer has seen a group of humpback whales in the distance off the front of the boat (bearing 0°).  The group is swimming along the surface and the size of the group is between 2-3 individuals.  The observers use reticle markings, fine lines in the eyepiece of binoculars, to estimate how far the object is from the boat (reticle 14 is at the boat, reticle 0 is on the horizon).  Using the bearing and reticle numbers, the computer then can use the GPS location of the boat to estimate where that animal was at the time of the recorded observation.  Using all of this data collected over the course of time, scientists are able to put together a picture of where animals, birds, and other objects are frequently seen within the sanctuaries.  This can also help them identify changes in animal numbers or behavior, and/or the need for a change in management strategies.

An example of a map showing humpback whale observation data on ACCESS in 2018.
Image: Point Blue/ONMS/ACCESS

One of the seabird species we saw relatively frequently were Sooty Shearwaters.  These birds are interesting to me because the migrate to the sanctuaries from their breeding grounds in New Zealand, an amazing 6500 miles away!  What’s even more impressive is that their migration is not just from New Zealand to California; they actually complete a circular migration route, first traveling up the western Pacific toward Japan and the Artic, and then they drop down to the pacific coast of North America before returning to their breeding grounds in New Zealand.  We also observed Pink-Footed Shearwaters, which nest off the coast of Chile. 

Sooty Shearwaters taking off from the surface of the water.  Photo:  Dru Devlin

When we were out on the offshore transects beyond the continental shelf break, we were frequently able to observe Black-Footed Albatrosses.  These large seabirds are well known for their long migrations as well.  The population we observed in the sanctuaries nest in the Hawaiian Islands and visit the California coast to feed.  From dissecting Albatross boluses (regurgitated food) with students at Roosevelt, I had previously learned that their diet consists of a lot of squid.  Since squid are actively feeding at night, albatross also do a lot of their hunting at night.  I was curious how they could find their prey and I learned that they have an incredible sense of smell that they can use to detect food.  They are known to follow ships and feed on refuse in the wake, and this seemed to be apparent because when we were collecting samples at stations beyond the shelf break we were often joined by multiple albatrosses.  At one station, I counted 19 Black-Footed Albatrosses floating in a group near the boat.

Two Black-Footed Albatrosses near the boat. Photo: Dru Devlin
A Black-Footed Albatross in flight.
Photo: Dru Devlin

I was also very interested to learn about the way that albatrosses and other large seabirds (including shearwaters) conserve energy during their long flights.  Dynamic soaring allows them to gain energy from the wind above the ocean waves without flapping their wings.  We often observed these birds flapping their wings a few times and then soaring very close to the surface of the water before flapping again.  Apparently, in favorable wind conditions, these birds can us this method to fly great distances without flapping their wings at all, thus conserving energy.

Three humpback whales surfacing. Photo: Dru Devlin

Another animal that I was on the constant lookout for were whales.  These gigantic mammals have always captured my imagination.  On this cruise we were lucky enough to see quite a few humpback whales.  These large baleen whales are known for their acrobatic displays, occasionally launching their body out of the water in an action called breaching.  I was able to observe a few whales breaching, and also several instances of whales rolling on the surface of the water slapping their long flippers or tail at the surface.  One of the highlights was seeing humpbacks lunge feeding at the surface.  Lunge feeding is when the whale opens its mouth widely, engulfing a large amount to water and prey.  The whale then pushes the water out of its throat pouch, leaving the prey behind to consume.  One of the favorite foods of humpback whales is krill.  Using the Tucker trawl net at very deep depths, we were able to collect some large krill samples that will be analyzed back at the lab. 

  • A humpback whale fluke.
    Photo: Dru Devlin
  • A sample of krill collected by the Tucker trawl net.
    Photo: Jaime Jahncke
  • An individual krill from the sample.
    Photo: Jaime Jahncke

There are several other species of whales that can be present in the sanctuaries at different times throughout the year, including blue whales, gray whales, fin whales, and minke whales, but we did not positively identify any of those species on this trip.  The scientists on board were specifically surprised that we did not see any blue whales, as they usually observe a few on cruises at this time of year.

Gallery

Here are a few other images of animals that we saw and were able to capture in the camera lens.

  • Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola).
    Photo: Jaime Jahncke
  • Female Stellar Sea Lion.
    Photo: Dru Devlin
  • Pigeon Guillemot.
    Photo: Dru Devlin
  • Laysan Albatross
    Photo: Dru Devlin
  • A group of California Sea Lions.
    Photo: Dru Devlin
  • Common Murre, adult and chick.
    Photo: Dru Devlin
  • A pair of humpback whales.
    Photo: Dru Devlin
  • Two Northern Fur Seals.
    Photo: Dru Devlin

Did You Know?

Scientists can use robots to explore the undersea environment?  From October 3rd-11th, scientists from the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries will be partnering with the Ocean Exploration Trust to learn more about life beneath the waves.  Working aboard the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilius, the team will use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore deep-sea coral reef and sponge habitats.  And, we will be able to follow along live! 

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Katie Gavenus: Thinking Like A Hungry Bird, April 28, 2019

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Katie Gavenus

Aboard R/V Tiglax

April 26-May 9, 2019

 

Mission: Northern Gulf of Alaska Long-Term Ecological Research project

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northern Gulf of Alaska – currently on the ‘Middleton [Island] Line’

Date: April 28, 2019

 

Weather Data from the Bridge

Time: 1715
Latitude: 59o 39.0964’ N
Longitude: 146o05.9254’ W
Wind: Southeast, 15 knots
Air Temperature: 10oC (49oF)
Air pressure: 1034 millibars
Cloudy, no precipitation

 

Science and Technology Log

Yesterday was my first full day at sea, and it was a special one! Because each station needs to be sampled both at night and during the day, coordinating the schedule in the most efficient way requires a lot of adjustments. We arrived on the Middleton Line early yesterday afternoon, but in order to best synchronize the sampling, the decision was made that we would wait until that night to begin sampling on the line. We anchored near Middleton Island and the crew of R/V Tiglax ferried some of us to shore on the zodiac (rubber skiff).

This R&R trip turned out to be incredibly interesting and relevant to the research taking place in the LTER. An old radio tower on the island has been slowly taken over by seabirds… and seabird scientists. The bird biologists from the Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation have made modifications to the tower so that they can easily observe, study, and band the black-legged kittiwakes and cormorants that choose to nest on the shelfboards they’ve augmented the tower with. We were allowed to climb up into the tower, where removable plexi-glass windows look out onto each individual pair’s nesting area. This early in the season, the black-legged kittiwakes are making claims on nesting areas but have not yet built nests. Notes written above each window identified the birds that nested there last season, and we were keen to discern that many of the pairs had returned to their spot.

Gavenus1Birds
Black-legged kittiwakes are visible through the observation windows in the nesting tower on Middleton Island.

Gavenus2Birds
Nesting tower on Middleton Island.

The lead researcher on the Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation (ISRC) project was curious about what the LTER researchers were finding along the Middleton Line stations. He explained that the birds “aren’t happy” this spring and are traveling unusually long distances and staying away for multiple days, which might indicate that these black-legged kittiwakes are having trouble finding high-quality, accessible food. In particular, he noted that he hasn’t seen any evidence they’ve been consuming the small lantern fish (myctophids) that generally are an important and consistent food source from them in the spring. These myctophids tend to live offshore from Middleton Island and migrate to the surface at night. We’ll be sampling some of that area tonight, and I am eager to see if we might catch any in the 0.5 mm mesh ‘bongo’ nets that we use to sample zooplankton at each station.

The kittiwakes feed on myctophids. The myctophids feed on various species of zooplankton. The zooplankton feed on phytoplankton, or sometimes microzooplankton that in turn feeds on phytoplankton. The phytoplankton productivity is driven by complex interactions of environmental conditions, impacted by factors such as light availability, water temperature and salinity as well as the presence of nutrients and trace metals. And these water conditions are driven by abiotic factors – such as currents, tides, weather, wind, and freshwater input from terrestrial ecosystems – as well as the biotic processes that drive the movement of carbon, nutrients, and metals through the ecosystem.

Scientists deploy CTD
This CTD instrument and water sampling rosette is deployed at each station during the day to collect information about temperature and salinity. It also collects water that is analyzed for dissolved oxygen, nitrates, chlorophyll, dissolved inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and particulates.

CTD at sunset
When the sun sets, the CTD gets a break, and the night crew focuses on zooplankton.

Part of the work of the LTER is to understand the way that these complex factors and processes influence primary productivity, phytoplankton, and the zooplankton community structure. In turn, inter-annual or long-term changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure likely have consequences for vertebrates in and around the Gulf of Alaska, like seabirds, fish, marine mammals, and people. In other words, zooplankton community structure is one piece of understanding why the kittiwakes are or are not happy this spring. It seems that research on zooplankton communities requires, at least sometimes, to consider the perspective of a hungry bird.

Peering at a jar of copepods and euphausiids (two important types of zooplankton) we pulled up in the bongo nets last night, I was fascinated by the way they look and impressed by the amount of swimming, squirming life in the jar. My most common question about the plankton is usually some variation of “Is this …” or “What is this?” But the questions the LTER seeks to ask are a little more complex.

Considering the copepods and euphausiids, these researchers might ask, “How much zooplankton is present for food?” or “How high of quality is this food compared to what’s normal, and what does that mean for a list of potential predators?” or “How accessible and easy to find is this food compared to what’s normal, and what does that mean for a list of potential predators?” They might also ask “What oceanographic conditions are driving the presence and abundance of these particular zooplankton in this particular place at this particular time?” or “What factors are influencing the life stage and condition of these zooplankton?”

Euphausiids
Euphausiids (also known as krill) are among the types of zooplankton we collected with the bongo nets last night.

Copepods in a jar
Small copepods are among the types of zooplankton we collected with the bongo nets last night.

As we get ready for another night of sampling with the bongo nets, I am excited to look more closely at the fascinating morphology (body-shape) and movements of the unique and amazing zooplankton species. But I will also keep in mind some of the bigger picture questions of how these zooplankton communities simultaneously shape, and are shaped by, the dynamic Gulf of Alaska ecosystem. Over the course of the next 3 blogs, I plan to focus first on zooplankton, then zoom in to primary production and phytoplankton, and finally dive more into nutrients and oceanographic characteristics that drive much of the dynamics in the Gulf of Alaska.

 

Personal Log 

Life on the night shift requires a pretty abrupt change in sleep patterns. Last night, we started sampling around 10 pm and finished close to 4 am. To get our bodies more aligned with the night schedule, the four of us working night shift tried to stay up for another hour or so. It was just starting to get light outside when I headed to my bunk. Happily, I had no problem sleeping until 2:30 this afternoon! I’m hoping that means I’m ready for a longer night tonight, since we’ll be deploying the bongo nets in deeper water as we head offshore along the Middleton Line.

WWII shipwreck
While on Middleton Island, we marveled at a WWII shipwreck that has been completely overtaken by seabirds for nesting.

Shipwreck filled with plants
Inputs of seabird guano, over time, have fertilized the growth of interesting lichens, mosses, grasses, and even shrubs on the sides and top of the rusty vessel.

 

Did You Know?

Imagine you have a copepod that is 0.5 mm long and a copepod that is 1.0 mm long. Because the smaller copepod is half as big in length, height, and width, overall that smaller copepod at best offers only about 1/8th as much food for a hungry animal. And that assumes that it is as calorie-dense as the larger copepod.

 

Question of the Day:

Are PCBs biomagnifying in top marine predators in the Gulf of Alaska? Are there resident orca populations in Alaska that are impacted in similar ways to the Southern Resident Orca Whale population [in Puget Sound] (by things like toxins, noise pollution, and decreasing salmon populations? Is it possible for Southern Resident Orca Whales to migrate and successfully live in the more remote areas of Alaska? Questions from Lake Washington Girl’s Middle School 6th grade science class.

These are great questions! No one on board has specific knowledge of this, but they have offered to put me in contact with researchers that focus on marine mammals, and orcas specifically, in the Gulf of Alaska. I’ll keep you posted when I know more!