Location: Gros de Islets, St. Barth's
The morning started off with a filling English breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, toast, and baked beans to fuel everyone for our day filled with Science. After breakfast, the crew took time to put clean sheets on their bunks and tidy their personal areas before getting into their oceanography literature review presentations. In the morning, Rhianna started us off by teaching us about invasive species, focusing on one we have seen many times while diving: the lionfish. Claire then taught us about Sea turtles and the threats they face in the Caribbean. Nadia went over the importance of ecotourism while Robert, Max, Will, and Chloe discussed the impacts of climate change on coral reefs and fisheries and the increased prevalence of hurricanes. Jaxson wrapped up the morning presentation with a discussion on predatory fish and their impact on their local ecosystem. After half of the presentations, we had lunch, which consisted of chicken Caesar salads.
The afternoon consisted of some more rescue skill practice for the rescue divers, followed by some time to work on collecting data for the oceanography research project. Ben and Robert went on a coral and parrot fish survey dive at a site close to the boat and came back reporting sightings of a black-tip reef shark, a balloon fish, and many squid. Others set out some raw chicken and a GoPro underwater to see what would fish would stop by for a snack. The GoPro caught some nice footage of a smooth trunkfish, and the divers setting up the bait reported some remora swimming around them. Another group set out a plankton net and caught some plankton to look at under the microscope. After all the science gear was put away it was time for the final group of presentations. Katherine started the afternoon group off by discussing the social behaviors of dolphins. Owen then taught us about oil spills, Zoe discussed the importance of hydrothermal vents, and Mani taught us about coastal erosion. Annika finished off the presentation with perhaps the most beautiful cover slide I have ever seen to talk about Jellyfish blooms. To wrap up the day, we had some burgers for dinner and discussed which reality TV show we all thought we could win. Popular choices included Jeopardy, Survival, and many cooking shows.
After dinner, we did an activity called Black and White cards to give us the opportunity to be a bit vulnerable with each other and get to know each other better, with only about two weeks left of the trip.