species – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

July 23, 2026July 23, 2026

Amelia Black, There’s No Place Like Home, July 18, 2026

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amelia Black

Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II

July 6-17, 2026

Mission: SEAMAP Summer Groundfish Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico
Date: July 18, 2026

Science and Technology Log

Are you curious about the final number of marine taxa (types) that we caught on Leg 3 of the SEAMAP Groundfish Survey?

We caught more than even the scientists onboard predicted we would! However, before I tell you the final count, I want to explain a little bit about the process of sorting and identifying the different types of marine life counted during the survey.

Not everything that came up in the net was counted as part of the survey. Trash, empty shells, sea grass, and organisms small enough to pass through the holes in the net were not included. We first sorted everything into similar groups and then separated those groups further when needed. For marine life that looked very similar or was difficult to identify, the scientists would double-check each other’s work to make sure everything was sorted correctly. Remember, this survey was not just about fish but included all kinds of marine life living on the ocean floor.

Looking at these pictures, can you tell the difference between some of these organisms?

four flat fish displayed in a column down a white plastic measuring board. each flatfish is positioned with its mouth to the left of the photo, so that the two eyes, which are on the same (top-facing) side, are visible. the fish toward the top is noticeably larger than the three laid out beneath it. — Four different types of flatfish, most commonly known as Flounder, all caught in the same haul

two closed scallop shells photographed on a metal sorting table. the one on the left is larger, and appears lighter in color, mottled yellow and orange. we can see a few small barnacles attached to its shell. the one on the right is smaller, darker, and cleaner. — Two different types of scallops

Sometimes it was easy to tell the difference and other times it was very difficult. The scientists had to not only know the differences but also the scientific (Latin) names for hundreds of different marine taxa. Occasionally, we would catch something that was not common during the groundfish survey. When this happened the scientists would consult identification guides or databases to help identify what we had caught.

Over the past two weeks, I have learned so much and encountered many new names and words. Not only have I learned the common names of the marine life we encountered, but I have also learned their scientific names. I’m not sure how many of those names will stay in my long-term memory since I may never encounter some of these organisms again. I do know I have learned more than I ever expected.

I was able to identify a lionfish on someone’s shirt! Before this trip, I never would have recognized it.

a man stands in the wetlab, surrounded by metal work tables. on the table in front of him are several white plastic sorting baskets. His gloved right hand grasps the jaw of a lionfish and holds it toward the camera for a photo. we can see the dramatic spotted fins and striped body of the fish, its feathery pectoral fins, and its tall dorsal spines. — Scientist Dereke with a lionfish.

Lionfish are an invasive species from the Indo-Pacific region. They are related to scorpionfish and also have venomous spines. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lionfish-facts.html

So.. what was the final count?

The total count of different marine taxa (types) that we counted was…

350!

That’s 350 different marine taxa that we identified during Leg 3 of the survey. Then, every individual within those taxa had to be counted, with many also being measured and weighed. It was incredible to see the diversity of life living on the ocean floor.

Watch this slideshow to see video to see some of the amazing marine life we encountered.

Marine Life of the Groundfish Survey

Did you see any marine life that looked familiar? I did! I was surprised to learn that there are catfish in the sea! They are a different type than the catfish we have in the rivers back home in Kansas, but they look very similar.

Personal Log

Before leaving for this trip, I wanted to get a picture of the sunset every night. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen! At first, I did not realize the sun set around 8:00 p.m. in the Gulf instead of closer to 9:00 p.m. like back home in Kansas. By the time I figured that out, I had already missed a few beautiful sunsets. Thankfully, I was still able to capture several beautiful sunsets before the end of the trip.

a collage of 6 photos. the largest photo, at top left, is a selfie of Amelia taken in front of a railing at sunset. she wears her Teacher at Sea hat. this photo is surrounded by five smaller square images to its right and bottom sides. Each shows a different sunset, capturing a range of colors. One sunset is viewed through a porthole.

They say that if you are lucky, you might see a ‘green flash’ just as the sun disappears below the horizon because green is the last color visible before the sun is gone. I watched every chance I got, but I was not lucky enough to see one.

As I head back to Kansas, I just want to say thank you to everyone who made this experience possible. Thank you to the NOAA Teacher at Sea team, the crew of Oregon II, the science team, and everyone who followed along on my adventure.

It is still hard to believe that this was my life for the past two weeks. The entire Oregon II crew was incredibly welcoming and made the ship feel like a home away from home.

a collage of two photos, stacked. the top photo shows 5 people in hard hats, life vests, and gloves standing near the railing of NOAA Ship Oregon II. Four of the people are facing the camera to smile for the photo; the fifth is facing away, grasping a rope with both hands. One woman holds an empty sorting basket off to her side. In the bottom photo, 6 people stand in different locations around the wet lab, and smile for the photo. Four are positioned around a table to be sort and measure fish. — Part of the science team aboard NOAA ship *Oregon II*

To the science team, thank you for making room for a Teacher at Sea and for answering my thousand-and-one questions. You are an incredible group of people, and the research you do to help monitor the health of the Gulf is so important. A special thank you to Scientist Dereke for being willing to pick up the ‘spicy’ fish so I could take pictures, and to Mo, the college student, for learning alongside me and teaching me about marine biology.

Amelia takes a selfie in front of NOAA Ship Oregon II from the dock in Pascagoula. It is low tide, so the ship sits low compared to the dock and the hull is mostly out of sight. Amelia wears a maroon shirt that reads "There's No Place Like Home"

Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, “there is no place like home.” While I am happy to be back in Kansas and preparing for my next adventure at a new school, I know I will miss the people I met aboard Oregon II. It truly became a home away from home.

Artist Highlight

Meet artist Sean Gronquist, a member of the NOAA crew. Sean uses the Japanese art of fish printing called Gyotaku. Gyo means fish and taku means rubbing. This traditional art form began as a way for fishermen to record their catches before photography and is still practiced today. https://ocean.si.edu/conservation/get-involved/educational-uses-gyotaku-or-fish-printing

a man uses both hands to hold an unfurled piece of paper or perhaps a canvas displaying a black and white print of a dolphinfish. he has a serious expression. in front of him on a table, more artwork is rolled up on a wooden dowel. — Sean Gronquist displays a fish print of a dolphinfish

Activity Corner

Choose an ocean animal that interests you and do a little research. Where does it live? What adaptations help it survive? What role does it play in its ecosystem?

Here is a website you can use to help you learn more about your ocean animal: https://oceanconservancy.org

You can also learn more about Gyotaku https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_mG-Ka4mv8&t=1s or even create your own fish print https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tI92lYwL8U For younger children, I recommend using finger paints instead of traditional ink.

Book Recommendations

The science team shared some of their favorite ocean-themed books for readers of all ages. Whether you are just beginning to learn about marine life or you are looking for your next great read, I hope you find one that inspires you to learn more about our oceans.

Lower Elementary

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
The Cod’s Tale by Mark Kurlansky

Upper Elementary and Up

The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk by Sy Montgomery
Why Fish Fart: Gross but True Things You’ll Wish You Didn’t Know by Francesca Gould

Middle School and up

Octopus: The Ocean’s Intelligent Invertebrate by Jennifer A. Mather
The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery

Nonfiction High School and up

What a Fish Knows by Jonathan Balcombe
Emperors of the Deep by William McKeever
Longitude by Dava Sobel
So Excellent a Fishe by Archie Carr
A Shadow and a Song by Mark Jerome Walters

Fiction High School and up

Andy Weir: The Martian or Project Hail Mary
Merfolk by Jeremy Bates

Nonfiction Adult

Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky
The Reef: A Passionate History by Iain McCalman
The Brilliant Abyss by Helen Scales
Other Minds by Peter Godfrey-Smith
Rachel Carson’ ‘s The Sea Around Us or Silent Spring

Adult Fiction Books

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Did You Know?

Oregon II will welcome another NOAA Teacher at Sea at the end of July for Longline Survey. It will be a different science team, but I hear they will be catching lots of sharks and snappers! Follow the NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog to continue the adventure.

Adventure awaits!

¡La aventura te espera!

Sources

https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/technology/ctd/
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/oceanographic-and-ecosystem-sampling-during-pacific-hake-survey
https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ocean-fact/ctd/
https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/indicators-conductivity
https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition-feature/19gulfofalaska-logs-july26-2/ https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-07/parameter-factsheet_turbidity.pdf

August 6, 2018October 12, 2018

Jeff Peterson: The Work in the Eastern Gulf, July 19, 2018

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Jeff Peterson

Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II

July 9 – 20, 2018

Mission: Summer Groundfish Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Mexico

Date: July 19, 2018

Weather Data from the Bridge

Date: 2018/07/19

Time: 16:34:47

Latitude: 29 57.6 N

Longitude: 087 02.60 W

Speed over ground: 7.3 knots

Barometric pressure: 1014.49

Relative humidity: 84%

Air temperature: 26.8 C

Sea wave height: 1 m

Science and Technology Log

We arrived off the coast of Florida on the evening of Sunday, July 15, and sampled stations in the eastern Gulf until the afternoon of Thursday, July 19. We used the same fishing method during this part of the cruise (bottom trawling), but added a step in the process, deploying side scan sonar in advance of every trawl. This measure was taken both to protect sea life on the ocean floor (sponges and corals) and to avoid damaging equipment. The sea bottom in this part of the Gulf—east of the DeSoto Canyon—is harder (less muddy) and, in addition to coral and sponge, supports a number of species markedly different than those seen in the western Gulf.

Side Scan Sonar

In contrast to single-beam sonar, which bounces a single focused beam of sound off the bottom to measure depth, side scan sonar casts a broader, fan-like signal, creating nuanced readings of the contour of the ocean floor and yielding photo-like images.

Towed Side Scan — How side scan sonar works: The harder the object, the stronger the image returned. See: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/seafloor-mapping/how_sidescansonar.html#

Rigged and ready for deployment. Signals from the sonar are conducted up the cable and picked up by the electrically powered lead on the block.

Side scan sonar just beneath the surface & descending.

When we arrive a station in this part of the Gulf, we begin by traversing, covering the usual distance (1.5 miles), but then turn around, deploy the side scan sonar, and retrace our course. Once we’ve returned to our starting point, we recover the sonar, turn around again, and—provided the path on the sea bottom looks clear—resume our course through the station, this time lowering the trawl. If the side scan reveals obstructions, it’s a no-go and the station is “ditched.”

Coming about before deploying the side scan sonar.

And Now for Something Completely Different . . . Fish of the Eastern Gulf

Off Panama City, Florida – Tuesday morning, July 17, 2018

We spent the first half of this leg of the survey in the western Gulf of Mexico, going as far west as the Texas-Louisiana border. The second half we’re spending in the eastern Gulf, going as far east as Panama City. From here we’ll work our way westward, back to our homeport in Pascagoula.

Thanks to different submarine terrain in the northeastern Gulf—not to mention the upwelling of nutrients from the DeSoto Canyon—it’s a different marine biological world off the coast of Florida.

Here’s a closer look at the submarine canyon that, roughly speaking, forms a dividing line between characteristic species of the western Gulf and those of the eastern Gulf:

Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Mexico, with proposed dive sites for Operation Deep-Scope 2005 indicated by red arrows and yellow numbers. Site #1 is on the southwest Florida Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico, where deep-water Lophilia coral lithoherms are found. **#2 is DeSoto Canyon, a deep erosional valley where upwelling of deep nutrient rich water means greater animal abundances.** #3 is Viosca Knoll, the shallowest site, where spectacular stands of Lophelia provide abundant habitat for other species. See: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/05deepscope/background/geology/media/map.html

And here’s a selection of the weird and wonderful creatures we sampled in the eastern Gulf. As this basket suggests, they’re a more brightly colored, vibrant bunch:

Basket of catch — A basket of fish. Upper right: Lane Snapper, *Lutjanus synagris*. On the left: Sand Perch, *Diplectrum formosum*. The plentiful scallops? *Argopecten gibbus*.

Sand Perch, Diplectrum formosum — Sand Perch, *Diplectrum formosum*

Razorfish, Xyrichtys novacula — Razorfish, *Xyrichtys novacula*

Angelfish, Holacanthus bermudensis — Angelfish, *Holacanthus bermudensis*

Angelfish closeup — *Holacanthus bermudensis* details: tail fins (front specimen), pectoral fin & gill (behind)

Jackknife Fish, Equetus lanceolatus — Jackknife Fish, *Equetus lanceolatus*

Pink Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum. — Pink Shrimp, *Farfantepenaeus duorarum*. Note the signature “pink” spot by my thumb.

Lionfish, Pterois volitans — Invasive scourge of the Gulf: Lionfish, *Pterois volitans*

Scorpionfish (aka Barbfish), Scorpaena brasiliensis

Southern Stargazer, Astroscopus y-graecum (juvenile)

Ocellated Moray Eels, Gymnothorax saxicola

Video credit: Will Tilley

Mysterious debris: A bottom-dwelling payphone?

Personal Log

Our move into the eastern Gulf marks the midpoint of the cruise, and we’ll be back to Pascagoula in a few short days. The seas haven’t been as serenely flat as they were in the eastern Gulf, nor has the sky (or sea) been its stereotypically Floridian blue, but I’ve found life aboard ship just as pleasurable and stimulating.

storm — A squall on Monday morning, July 16, 2018. Off the stern there to starboard, Blackfin Tuna were jumping.

In my final blog post, I’ll have more to say about all the great folks I’ve met aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II—from its Deck Department members and Engineers, to its Stewards and NOAA Corps officers and inimitable Captain—but here want to reiterate just how thoughtful and generous everybody’s been. The “O2” is a class act—a community of professionals who know what they’re about and love what they do—and I couldn’t be more grateful to have visited their world for a while and shared their good company.

Busy as we’ve been, I haven’t had much time for sketching during this part of the cruise, and, as the selection of photos above suggests, I’ve concentrated more on taking pictures than making them. Still, I’ve begun a small sketch of the ship that I hope to complete before we reach Pascagoula. It’s based on a photograph that hangs in the galley, and that I’m going to attempt to reproduce actual size (3 3/8” x 7”) . Here’s where things stand early on in the process:

IMG_8230 2.jpg — Work in progress: sketch of NOAA Ship *Oregon II*

Did You Know?

Any of the western Gulf fish in the basket from my last blog post? Here it is again:

And here is a visual key to the four species I was fishing for, each figuring prominently in my blog post for July 15:

Basket of fish revision — Basket of Fish from Western Gulf: now color-coded

1: Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus

2: Longspined Porgy, Stenotomus caprinus

3: Gulf Butterfish, Peprilus burti

4: Brown Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus

A few Stenotomus caprinus and Peprilus burti have been left unhighlighted. Can you find them?

July 22, 2011April 28, 2021

Christopher Faist: Limited Visibility, July, 21 2011

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Chris Faist
Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
July 20 — August 1, 2011

Mission: Cetacean and Seabird Abundance Survey
Geographical Area: North Atlantic
Date: July 21, 2011

Weather Data
Air Temp: 21 ºC
Water Temp: 19 ºC
Wind Speed: 19 knots
Water Depth: 163 meters

Science and Technology Log
The purpose of cruise is to accurately count marine mammals and seabirds in the North Atlantic. There are two separate groups of scientists: the marine mammal team and the seabird team.

Mammals
The first order of business on a trip to count marine mammals is to ensure that all observers (including myself) are familiar with the types of cetaceans (dolphins and whales) that may be seen during the survey. Last night all of the marine mammal observers gathered in the conference room to review photographs and field guides depicting each of the species that might be seen on the trip. Using high-resolution photographs, we reviewed length, coloration, body shape and behaviors that distinguish each dolphin and whale to the most specific level of classification, Genus and species.

To make sure that all (or as close to all as possible) animals in the study area are counted, observers will be using high power binoculars, or “Big Eyes”, to extend their ability to see and identify animals even at great distances (about 7 miles from the ship).

Two teams of four, highly experienced observers will work simultaneously during the survey time. From two different locations on the ship, the flying bridge (top deck) and the roll tank deck (about 15 feet below the flying bridge) each team of observers will rotate stations every 30 minutes. One observer will start on the port (left) “Big Eyes” to observe animals on that side. The second observer will be at the computer to record what is seen and search for animals close to the boat without using binoculars. The 3rd observer will start on the starboard (right) “Big Eyes”, while the 4th person is on break.

It is believed that this method, of two teams of 4 observers each, will allow observers to count all of the animals in the survey area. After the cruise is over the scientists will use math equations to get estimates of animals within the North Atlantic.

Birds
Since the weather was windy today, the mammal team did not work but there is a team of seabird observers on-board as well. Mike and Marie are here to count all of the seabirds that occur in the survey area. They are able to spot seabirds in rougher conditions (higher wind speeds) allowing them to collect data during most daylight hours. Today, Mike was showing me how to accurately judge the distance between the boat and birds. While technology may help others Mike likes to use an old fashion “pencil method”. If you look carefully at the picture you will see marks on the pencil. When he holds the pencil at arm’s length and puts the top of the pencil at the horizon, each of the marks indicate a different distance. The top mark is 300m from the ship, middle is 200m and the bottom mark indicates 100m. This gives Mike and Marie a quick guide to accurately judge distance to record their seabird observations.

Personal Log

Due to foggy and windy conditions the marine mammal observers are waiting for better conditions to start surveying. While this is bad for the scientists, it is great for me. I have had some time to learn to navigate the ship, nap, get my “sea legs” and interview many of the scientists and crew.

What I am finding is a highly trained, experienced group of individuals that love the ocean. Each person brings a unique set of talents and background forming a complete team with the same goal, accurately counting the numbers of protected species in the North Atlantic. I am very excited to be a part of such a great team.

September 19, 2008April 2, 2021

Mary Anne Pella-Donnelly, September 19, 2008

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Mary Anne Pella-Donnelly
Onboard NOAA Ship David Jordan Starr
September 8-22, 2008

Mission: Leatherback Use of Temperate Habitats (LUTH) Survey
Geographical Area: Pacific Ocean –San Francisco to San Diego
Date: September 19, 2008

Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 3624.8888 N Longitude: 12243.8013 W
Wind Direction: 261 (compass reading) SW
Wind Speed: 8.0 knots
Surface Temperature: 16.385

Figure indicating migration of different genetic stocks of Pacific leatherback turtles.

Science and Technology Log

Turtle Genetics
Peter Dutton is the turtle specialist on board, having studied sea turtles for 30 years. His research has taken him all over the tropical Pacific to collect samples, study behaviors and learn more about Dermochelys coriacea, the leatherback turtle. Mitochondrial DNA (is clonal=only one copy) is only inherited maternally (from the mother), so represents mother’s genetic information (DNA), while nuclear DNA has two copies, one inherited from the mother and the other from the father .By looking at the genetic fingerprint encoded in nuclear DNA it is possible to compare hatchling “DNA fingerprints”, with their mother’s and figure out what the father’s genetic contribution was. This paternity (father’s identifying DNA) analysis has produced some intriguing results.

Peter Dutton looking for turtles with the ‘big eyes’.

An analysis of chick embryos or hatchling DNA indicates all eggs were fertilized throughout the season from the same dad. It is thought that the female must store sperm in her reproductive system. Successively, throughout the nesting season, a female will lay several clutches, one clutch at a time. Females come in to the beach for a brief period (leatherbacks – approx 1.5 hrs) every 9-10 days to lay eggs for the 3 or 4 month nesting season (they lay up to 12). Sometimes it is the same beach; sometimes it is a beach nearby. Research done on other sea turtles is showing some species have actually produced offspring with other species of sea turtle. One example is of a hawksbill turtle with a loggerhead turtle in Brazil. In this case, the phenotype appeared to indicate one species, while the DNA analysis indicates the animal was a hybrid, with a copy of DNA from each of the two different species. At some point geneticists may need to re-define what constitutes a “species”.

The last few eggs most of the leatherback turtles lay are infertile, yolkless eggs. No one is certain about the function of these eggs, although several theories have been suggested. Many unknowns exist about these turtles. Scientists have not yet found a means to determine the age of individual sea turtles, so no one knows how long-lived they are. The early genetic research on leatherbacks showed some information that surprised the scientists. It had been thought that all leatherbacks foraging off the northwestern coast of USA originated in the eastern tropical Pacific, from nesting beaches in Mexico. Careful DNA analysis, however, found that animals at California foraging grounds are part of the western Pacific genetic stock recently identified by Dutton and colleagues. Both Peter and Scott have emphasized that there is still much to learn, and they have just begun, however, much has also been learned during the past six years, including the origin of leatherbacks that utilize California waters.

Personal Log

Yesterday the sun came out and it was a glorious evening. A group of us watched the sunset from the flying bridge, and then later watched the moon rise. It was spectacular, and with the ‘big eyes’, it was possible to see many of the moon’s craters. The stars were also magnificent! Today has been cloudy with a layer of fog eventually drenching the boat. This weather has made yesterdays blue skies all the sweeter.

Words of the Day

Mitochondrial DNA: DNA found within the mitochondria – originates from the mother; Clonal: identical to the original; Clutch: a single batch of eggs, laid together; Hybrid: one gene from one species and the second gene from a second species; Species: an organism that can mate with another of its own kind and produce fertile offspring.

Animals Seen Today

Common dolphin Delphinus delphis, Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, Black-footed Albatross Phoebastria nigripes, Moon jellies Aurelia labiata, Sea nettle jellies Chrysaora fuscescens, and Common dolphins Delphinus delphis.

Questions of the Day

Geneticists are beginning to obtain new tools to figure out how similar animals are related to each other. What are some questions you have related to leatherback turtle genetics?
Scott’s turtle map shows that leatherbacks nesting in the Western Pacific migrate across the Pacific to the coast of North America, while leatherbacks that nest in Costa Rica only migrate to waters off the South American coast. Why might some populations stay in the same region, while others cross the Pacific Ocean?