Journals 2009/2010

Beth Brocato
Exeter-West Greenwich Junior High School, W. Greenwich, Rhode Island

"Bottom Trawl Survey, Northeast Fisheries Science Center" NOAA ship HENRY B. BIGELOW September 9 - 24, 2009

Journal Index: September 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16                  17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23                  24

September 23, 2009
The Last Tow

Track the Bigelow.

Today was the last night watch of this trip. All in all it was uneventful; a lot of scallops and many skates. We are heading home and I thought I'd take this opportunity to thank a couple of important people on this ship.

The first is John Galbraith. John is the chief scientist for this trip. He is a Fishery Biologist with the Fisheries Independent Surveys Group at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA. He is extremely knowledgeable at fish identification, yet he is really down to earth and kept the atmosphere fun.

John Galbraith (left) shucking scallops with fellow watchman, Pat

The second person I'd like to thank in Geoff Shook. Geoff is the Sea-Going Biological Technician for the Fisheries Independent Surveys Group at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole. Geoff had the job of watch chief. That means he is in charge of the night watch. He manages the catch, organizes the sort and oversees the data collection. His job is very important, yet Geoff managed to keep things light and fun.

This is Geoff getting a sort started.

I would also like to thank the ARMADA Project through the Graduate School of Oceanography at URI for granting me the honor of being a part of real-time, real-world science. I want my students to understand that this experience is, in part, the realization of a young girl's dream to become a marine biologist.

Keep dreaming kids!