Journals 2004/2005

Katie Roberts
Hingham Middle School, Hingham, Massachusetts

"Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance,and Status of Humpback whales (SPLASH)" NOAA Ship McArthur II June 27-July 26, 2004

Journal Index: June Intro - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 July 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10       11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18       19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25

July 9, 2004

Photo: Protected Resouces Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California. swfsc.nmfs.noaa.gov/PRD/

The area of Cross Sound, as we approached Fairweather Bank, proved an extremely productive area for our team, yielding many pods of humpbacks and many photo ID's. Much of our day was spent in photo ID effort, and the watch schedule was a mere formality as most hands were employed with photography at all times, whether scheduled or not. Both AR1 and AR2 were deployed, working a range within 5 miles of the ship to port and starboard. Each small boat had a team of four individuals, with a cockswain, a biopsy expert and two photographers.

Back on the McArthur II, those not directly involved in photography or biopsy were busy below decks with the computer tasks of catalogue assembly. While the whales are within our sight, we are taking full advantage of the viewing opportunities!