2008 Summer Groundfish Survey: Legs I, II and III

The Oregon II returned from the Summer Groundfish Survey on July 16th after 38 days at sea. All departments worked together as a team to complete every single station laid out for the survey. Not only were all stations surveyed, but they were completed early, allowing the ship to return to the beloved Pascagoula 36 hours early! While at sea, the scientists and crew aboard the Oregon II successfully completed over 280 operations including trawls, bongos, neustons, and CTDs. The purpose of this survey is to assess the stocks of bottom dwelling species in the Gulf of Mexico. With this data, the government can properly regulate the fisheries in order to promote healthy stocks of different species and long term economical growth in the fishing industry.

The net and doors which are released to the bottom to trawl for the samples

Waiting for the net to be brought aboard

Crew and scientists hauling in the catch

Scientists set the CTD in the water

The breadth of the survey spreads from the Western Delta of Louisiana all the way south to the coast of Brownsville, Texas. The survey locations are determined by the use of a computer system which selects locations randomly. Each station has a particular depth stratum which must be accomplished; usually these strata range from 1 fathom (6 feet) to 5 fathoms. In order to successfully accomplish this goal, the net must be at the bottom and collecting samples for the entirety of the depth stratum. Additionally, these strata are divided into night and day stations in order to collect more precise data on the different fish species’ lifestyles. The minimum amount of time for a trawl is 10 minutes. There is also a time limit. Because the Oregon II is not equipped with Turtle Exclusion Devices (TED), the trawls must be limited to 55 minutes, the amount of time a turtle can hold its breath. This law has proven successful because the Oregon II caught two sea turtles as by-catch this survey, and both were tagged and sent back to the sea, healthy as can be.

Two sea turtles were caught as by-catch during this survey. The turtles are referred to as “by-catch” because they are not species targeted on this survey. Upon hoisting the turtles aboard, they are measured and tagged by a team of trained scientists and then released.

Kemps Ridley sea turtle caught on Leg 1.


Loggerhead sea turtle caught on Leg 2.

One of the most important species targeted on the survey is shrimp. Because of the large demand for shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico, the stock of shrimp must be constantly assessed in order to properly regulate the fishery. Other species which are regularly caught in the net include small bait fish, red snapper and squid just to name a few.

In addition to the typical species caught in the net, the crew and scientists hauled back some other exciting critters: from a stingray to a car tire!
Boxfish	Shovelnose Shark	Scientist measuring stingray	Tiger Shark

Although the species brought aboard in the net were very interesting and exciting, the dolphins and sharks still in the ocean were equally as exciting!
Dolphins playing in the wake	The bull sharks begin a feeding frenzy as we throw away our leftovers!	Sharks in a frenzy at night

In spare time, which was very hard to come by, the crew conducted diving operations, and safety drills. These operations help to keep the ship and all aboard at peak performance. And occasionally, the crew and staff could relax and enjoy the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

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•  Updated: September 9, 2009