Kelsey measures a tree during our vegitation survey.
This morning we woke up finding out that many of us were sunburned from the
day before. We started off our day with a snorkel to Gun Cay were we collected
different types of algae. Each person was assigned a different type of common
algae to collect around the small coral reef. We carried small amounts of algae
in our mesh bags back to the ship. There we sorted out and identified the different
species of algae. We then used herbarium paper to make algae presses.
Then we snorkeled back to Gun Cay for another beach seine and vegetation survey.
This time our beach seine was conducted in the sea grass beds near shore. We
caught many species of fish including puffer
fish, filefish, cowfish, wrasse, flounder, and mojaro fish. We also caught
shrimp, swimming crabs and other tiny invertebrates. Heading back down the beach
we spotted a southern sting ray.
After two trials we reapplied sunscreen and headed down the beach to work on
vegetation survey. We looked at how the Australia pine trees were blocking sunlight
for other native plants by there canopy coverage. We were able to see some of
the different types of lizards which included anoles, geckos and, amieva. We
headed back to the ship where Chef Matt was waiting for us with a cold snack.
Eating our ice cream desserts on the captain's patio, we headed over to Moxen
Rocks.
The reef around Moxon Rocks was amazing.
After the snorkel at Moxen rocks we came back to the ship and had dinner. Later that night we did a night plankton tow. We caught a shrimp!!!! We are very sleepy and ready for tomorrow our last full day on the Coral Reef II. Written by: Parker and Kelsey
