Survey Results Reveal Atlantic Sea Scallop Population
The R/V Hugh R. Sharp recently concluded the first leg of the 2022 Atlantic Sea Scallop Survey, covering over 1,125 nautical miles in the Mid-Atlantic. The voyage, which took place from May 14 to May 23, was marked by numerous scientific discoveries and impressive feats of navigation.
Before setting sail, the Habitat Mapping Camera (HabCam V4) was thoroughly tested. This towed camera array, equipped with high-resolution cameras and data collection instruments, was the primary focus of the survey's first leg. The sampling van, equipped with three separate sampling stations, was also prepared for the journey.
On May 14, the vessel departed Lewes, Delaware, after a 2-hour delay due to dense fog. The delay didn't deter the scientific staff, who ensured COVID-19 was not brought aboard during the survey. Seven crew members arrived three days before the vessel set sail for setup and testing.
The first leg of the survey reached a new trackline southeast of Nantucket on May 19. During this leg, more than 300 nautical miles were completed in the final 3 days. The HabCam captured approximately six images per second, with technicians annotating some of these images to label finfish, shellfish, and human-made objects.
The survey encountered various marine life, including common dolphins, humpback whales, and a basking shark. Researchers use images from the HabCam to estimate species abundance, including the Atlantic sea scallop, and generate stock assessments for management decisions.
In an impressive feat, more than 50,000 images were annotated by the scientific crew, setting a new all-time record. A total of 3.35 million images were taken during the survey, with the science lab set up with monitors, servers, and hard drives to handle the vast amount of data.
Dr. Kim Johnson, the researcher on board the R/V Hugh R. Sharp during the first leg of the survey, shared her thoughts on the experience: "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."
As the R/V Hugh R. Sharp steamed northeast toward Nantucket Shoals after completing the tracklines in the Mid-Atlantic, it was clear that the crew had cast a spell of their own, capturing the wonders of the Atlantic Ocean and contributing to valuable scientific research. The second leg of the survey is set to begin soon.
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