The FORCES Awaken

NOAA Ship Nancy Foster alongside in Havana, Cuba

The Nancy Foster is underway once again with an eager compliment of scientists ready to comb the Caribbean for plankton! As with last year the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) is partnering with the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) to tackle this year’s scientific objectives.

The first part of the 2016 survey (NF-16-02) will be working in waters around western Cuba and east of the Yucatan Peninsula. The focus of this part of the survey will be to continue our study of the distribution and abundance of Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) and other tuna larvae in the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean Sea. In addition to tuna larvae, the 2016 survey will sample other larval species found near regional coastal reefs including snapper, grouper, parrotfish, and spiny lobster larvae. The goal is to understand the role that the major current systems play in the dispersal/retention of these species and identify possible spawning locations, examine growth and survival of larvae, and increase our understanding of species recruitment to benthic habitat.

The second part of the 2016 survey (NF-16-03) will take place in the vicinity of the Virgin Islands (VI). During this part of the survey, we plan on sampling water properties, currents, and dispersal and transport of fish larvae in the VI and neighboring regions. Results from the survey can enhance our understanding of regional spatial variation in the supply of fish larvae between managed and non-managed areas.

The mighty Neuston net soars again

While the research area and sampling methods may seem similar to last year’s project, we can assure you, our loyal reader, that new and exciting things are in store for 2016! One major change that happened since last year is a rebranding of the very lab that brings you this blog. Say goodbye to the SEFSC’s Early Life History (ELH) Lab and hello to the Fisheries Oceanography for Recruitment, Climate, and Ecosystem Studies (FORCES) Lab! During its humble beginnings, the ELH lab was focused on larval fish taxonomy (i.e. the description and classification of larval fishes) but in the years that followed our work has expanded to a point where now we use tools such as biophysical models, genetics, and isotope analysis to look at the role larval fish and plankton play in the ocean ecosystem in an effort to protect and manage our valuable ocean resources.

The first days of any cruise are indeed hectic as the science party begins to regain their sea legs and shake the rust off. As we put our first nets in the water and deploy our inaugural CTDs north of Havana, Cuba, here is a recap of what the Foster has been up to since we embarked in Miami.

Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro

NOAA Ship Nancy Foster arrived at the U.S. Coast Guard Base Miami Beach on May 2^nd, at which point the controlled chaos began. Scientists and crew worked like ants to load all of the necessary equipment and supplies for almost two months at sea; nets, frames, CTDs, hundreds of sample jars, drums of ethanol, drifters, microscopes, computers, liquid nitrogen, fuel, FOOD! Members of the science party flew in from all corners of the world; Mexico, Spain, Japan… Last-minute generator repairs completed…Amongst the chaos we also managed to host a 6^th grade class for a field trip aboard the vessel. Somehow, everything got done and on May 7th, lines were tossed and NF-16-02 and the Nancy Foster were underway! Next stop: Havana.

The day long transit to Havana gave us some time to catch up with each other, (re)familiarize ourselves with the ship, and discuss the upcoming sampling plan. We also took this time to test all of our science equipment. We stopped to deploy our nets and CTD to make sure all of the electronics were functioning properly and went over deployment and recovery procedures (it is a true group effort!).

A Havana icon

The Nancy Foster arrived in Havana on May 8^th to embark the last two members of our science party. The crew and science party enjoyed the prestige of being one of the first U.S. Government vessels to pull in to Havana in a very long time. For more pictures and information on the Nancy Foster's visit to Cuba click here, or here.  With our Cuban colleagues aboard, the Foster left Havana on May 10^th en route to station 001.  Although the weather was less than ideal, we were hoping that our excitement to get the survey started would soothe our seasickness (but if that doesn’t work, there is always sea sickness medication).

Stay tuned as our exciting 2016 survey unfolds. If this is your first Nancy Foster Chronicle, feel free to browse previous years’ blogs to get an idea of what we are all about!

Clyde keeps a watchful eye on the ship