Journals 2006/2007

Mark Harris
Layton High School, Layton, UT

"Stenella Abundance Research Project (STAR)" July 23, 2006 - August 14, 2006

Journal Index: July 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29        30 - 31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9            10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 Additional Resources

July 24, 2006
STAR Training

STAR training began today, the morning started with a 1 mile walk to the Southwest Fisheries building on the UCSD campus. Information on the 2 research ships, how to sight and biopsy animals were discussed. Meeting Robert Pitman, the cruise leader, was the highlight of the morning. Robert's enthusiasm and knowledge of the marine mammals is intriguing. I did learn his interest in sea turtle research has been an ongoing project for the last few years. He made me aware of how little is known about sea turtles. Most research on sea turtles is done on nesting beaches. We tend to know a lot about females and babies, but the 30 years in between are what we will be studying. Our ship includes a turtle biologist, Lindsey Peavey, a graduate of the University of Miami.

It is still warm here in San Diego, the humidity is up and I am not looking forward to sleeping in my non-air-conditioned room. The good news is we can move on to the ship Wednesday, July 26. I am excited to see the ship; it is 176 feet long with about 30 of us staying on it. I can't wait to go, the anticipation is killing me.