Volunteer opportunities on fish trapping/videosurvey-NOAA

The SouthEast Fishery-Independent Survey (SEFIS; based in Beaufort, NC) is gearing up for its second field season and is looking for volunteers. SEFIS works closely with another fishery-independent survey out of South Carolina (MARMAP) to index the abundance of a variety of economically important reef species ('snapper-grouper complex') using baited chevron traps and underwater video. The survey area is broad, extending from Cape Hatteras, NC, to the north and Port St. Lucie, FL, to the south. We primarily sample hardbottom habitats between 20 and 70 m depth - continental shelf and slope habitats.

Our cruises are a great opportunity to add marine experience to your resume. Cruises are typically 8 - 12 days in duration, and occur aboard the R/V Savannah based out of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in Savannah, Georgia. Work days are typically 12 hours, and primary work duties include baiting and rigging chevron traps, deploying and retrieving cameras and traps, sorting, measuring, and counting fish caught in traps, and removing biological samples (otoliths, reproductive tissues) from priority species. Food and berth space will be provided. No prior experience is necessary – all that’s needed is an ability to work hard in sometimes difficult working conditions (rough seas, rain, etc.).

Our tentative cruise schedule aboard the R/V Savannah for 2011 is as follows:

1. 26 April - 5 May (10 days)
2. 24 June - 1 July (8 days)
3. 18 July - 29 July (12 days)
4. 16 August - 25 August (10 days)
5. 13 September - 22 September (10 days)

If you are interested in any of these cruises, please email me (nate.bacheler@noaa.gov) with your contact information and cruise choice(s). We can only accommodate 1–2 volunteers per cruise, so those contacting me first will have top priority.

We also may have research cruises aboard a NOAA ship, but that schedule is still being developed – I will send another message once that schedule is finalized.

Please email or call me with any questions. Thanks,

Nate Bacheler
--
nate bacheler
research fish biologist
noaa fisheries
101 pivers island road
beaufort, nc 28516
252.838.0825
nate.bacheler@noaa.gov