“Can’t Stop”
November 5, 2010
From here on out, I have decided to theme all of my blogs around songs currently in my music library. Hope you all enjoy. This current entry steals its name from the Red Hot Chili Peppers hit, “Can’t Stop.” Why? Keep on reading….
Our first set of November trips came right as a cold front was passing through southern Florida. Despite this sudden drop in temperature, we boarded our vessel ready to go, covered head to toe in jackets and winter hats. When Captain Curt, a Minnesota native, brings a wool jacket and hat, you know the weather is a bit chilly. Due to the 15mph winds, we expected to have a pretty slow weekend in terms of shark numbers. We were wrong.
Some of the crew trying to stay warm as we wait to bring in our lines. (Click to Enlarge)
Drumline # 1 was a preview of the day’s coming attractions, as we brought in a healthy and robust male lemon shark. The first set of lines was filled with lemon sharks and two bull sharks, both of which were satellite tagged. After the 8th lemon shark of the day was brought in for sampling, we couldn’t help but laugh…”its another lemon!”
In fact, the day went on in a similar fashion….13 lemon sharks…we “couldn’t stop” catching sharks. The team relished this chance to stay busy as the day went on, and every member of the team was needed for data collection.
Team members Josh and Fiona handle a blacktip. (Click to Enlarge)
The day was a major success, with a whopping total of 17 sharks: 13 lemons, 3 bulls and 1 blacktip. For all of the effort that goes into our trips, seeing such a high turnout of sharks quite rewarding-perhaps the slightly lower water temperature allowed the local sharks to become more active. Whatever the case, each shark was quickly and safely sampled and released back into the water.
Sharks or not, data is data. However, a day of filled with lots of shark action always feels good, not to mention putting out several satellite tags. The high number of sharks kept the entire crew busy throughout the day. After shark #17 was re-released into the murky shallows of the Everglades, we began our long trip back to the dock, during which all of our team members faded into shark research-induced comas.
Still cataloging those samples,
Austin
Wow! Well this is a very great sign for our beloved sharks! To hear they are coming up like crazy gives you a great impression about our environment right now! Hope it stays like this! Great Job you guys!
Even when its chilly out you guys are doing your thing, great to see that commitment!