On Board
This week we had an awesome opportunity to go out on a boat, in the Puget Sound to do some invertebrate collecting ourselves. Our boat left from Boston Harbor Marina at about 9am, and trolled the water for a few hours, picking up all kinds of benthic sea life.
This was my first time being out on a boat on the sound (besides kayaking), and I absolutely loved it. Besides actually being able to participate in the collection, we were able to relax for a while, while the nets were collecting, which gave me a good chance to soak in the surroundings. While waiting we saw various species of waterfowl as well as some curious seals, popping their heads out of the water.
When we finally drug up the nets, we found crabs, sea pens, fish, and hundred of jellies. On one particular troll we brought up about 150 sea slugs! It was quite the sight to see them all moving and swimming together in a massive heap. What an experience! I asked our professor if we could keep them all; he laughed and said sorrily, no.
Later that afternoon we returned to the marina and drove back to school to place our new friends in the tanks. The boat was an awesome experience, and that alone, would make any marine program that Evergreen has to offer worthwhile!