Re-Examining the Census of Scallops
The R/V Hugh R. Sharp, a 146-foot vessel operated by the University of Delaware, recently embarked on the Scallop Survey Leg 2. This expedition, though not the first for the seasoned ship, was a highly anticipated event for the crew and the author, who was looking forward to re-familiarising themselves with operating the HabCam after a long break.
The HabCam, or habitat camera, is a towed imaging and sensor system that collects pictures of the sea floor and environmental data. It is driven by a pilot and a co-pilot, who maintain a distance of 2.5 to 3 meters from the ocean bottom. The driver controls the distance of HabCam from the bottom using a lever to adjust the armored fiber optic cable.
Operating the HabCam requires constant monitoring of depth, side scanner, and front scanner to avoid obstacles. With weather conditions being foggy, yet occasionally sunny, the crew had to navigate the HabCam with utmost care and precision.
While the HabCam survey does not disturb the sea floor habitat and animals, sorting samples from the bottom requires careful attention to avoid missing small scallops, fish, or crabs. The crew looked for various creatures besides scallops, including fish and crabs, during the survey. Some catches were primarily brittle stars, which, when on deck, appear to move similarly to a pile of worms. Working through brittle stars can be tricky due to their tendency to stick together.
After the HabCam operation, dredging was performed on deck. Some dredge catches contained mussels, empty shells, and rocks, while a few catches were primarily brittle stars.
The sea scallop survey uses a dredge in some areas and the HabCam in others. When not driving or co-piloting, crew members annotate the captured pictures, measuring scallops and noting fish and crabs. The survey yielded a successful outcome, with the author expressing enjoyment in re-familiarising themselves with operating the HabCam.
It is important to note that the Scallop Survey Leg 2 on the R/V Hugh R. Sharp was conducted by a team before Christine Kircun joined in 2021, but the specific individuals or team names prior to her are not publicly detailed.
As the Scallop Survey Leg 2 comes to a close, the crew and the author look forward to the next scallop survey on the R/V Hugh R. Sharp, continuing their mission to explore and understand the underwater world.
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