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For the first time in over 15 years, Oregon II was sent to the Caribbean to conduct a Reef Fish Survey during daylight hours and Shark Longline Survey at night. There was no rest for the crew as operations ran every day of the week, 24 hours a day. The ship first stopped in at San Juan, Puerto Rico to pick up additional scientists and supplies. The first leg of the study brought the vessel around the western edge of Puerto Rico. Along the southern coast, and then west to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. After a short rest in the western city of Frederiksted, the second leg surveyed the areas of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.
The reef fish survey is conducted in two portions. First, scientists drop a camera in a predetermined site to film reef fish for 30 minutes. Upon retrieval of the camera, a trap is placed in the same location to catch these species. The trap is then hoisted back aboard and the catch is studied.
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| Various species caught during operations in the Caribbean. | ||
After dark, the sharks come out to feed. By placing a ½ mile line with baited hooks on the surface of the sea floor, sharks can be caught. Each shark caught is measured, weighed, tagged, and released.
 Dr. Tre Driggers holds down a nurse shark as Michael Andre (left) and Steve Curran conduct additional tests. |
 Scientists and crew work together to bring a shark onboard. LF Martin, Dr. Driggers, Scientist Michael Hendon, and SF Godwin help bring this tiger aboard. |
 A tiger shark thrashes about on deck. |
 To minimize injury during the catch, large sharks are brought on deck with a cradle. |
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| Caribbean sunset. |
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• URL: http://www.moc.noaa.gov/ot/visitor/reef/reeffish.htm
• Updated: August 24, 2009
