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Welcome, Nathaniel!

March 04, 2022

New crew member joins the R/V Elakha

West Coast

February was cold and dry; the seas were calm enough for us to get out for a day cruise and a night cruise out to NH25.    

Scientists rinsing down the vertical net used to target smaller zooplankton, like copepods.
Figure 1. Scientists rinsing down the vertical net used to target smaller zooplankton, like copepods. Credit: NOAA Fisheries


One of our net tows pulled in some algae that may be pseudo-nitzschia, a harmful algae that can produce the neurotoxin, domoic acid. Scientists are working to understand what causes these algae to produce the toxin at some times and not others. High levels of domoic acid can cause amnesiac shellfish poisoning, closing the harvesting of shellfish like Dungeness crab and razor clams.  

Contents from a vertical net tow collected at NH10 in early February.
Figure 2. Contents from a vertical net tow collected at NH10 in early February. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

 

The R/V Elakha has a new able body, Nathaniel, who has been piloting the winch for us. Welcome, Nathaniel!

 

New able body, Nathaniel, piloting the winch on the R/V Elakha.
Figure 3. New able body, Nathaniel, piloting the winch on the R/V Elakha. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

 

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The Newportal

We are a group of NOAA Fisheries and Oregon State University scientists that sample the Newport Line every two weeks to understand changing ocean conditions. Follow us as we share the fun things we learn about this region and other areas of the North Pacific Ocean.  

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Last updated by Northwest Fisheries Science Center on April 25, 2022