We are on our way

Land is already far awy from our current position (42º22.5140 – 14º27.3850), and all the stress of the previous days left behind. This year we suffered a very unfortunate coincidence of bureaucratic obstacles and personal issues that have resulted in a smaller than usual scientific crew for Platuxa: we are short of two biologists despite all the time and effort invested into solving this problem. It is truly a shame, but at least all participants have long years of experience and are very good at work. Only our two students from Alicante lack experience, but they promised to make it up with good will and hard work, so no problems there. We have no option but cutting down the sampling a bit, obviously we cannot carry out the work intended for 14 people in the same number of days, but I am certain of the fact that if the weather is good, we will walk out of the ship with enough high quality data.

Luckily, the R.V. Vizonde de Eza crew is complete, and here comes a message to all mothers: after tasting lunch and dinner yesterday, I dare to say we have an award winning team in the kitchen. We will have to be careful to avoid leaving the ship with a few extra love handles.

As usual, the staff adscribed to the Distant Fisheries Program at the Vigo branch of the Spanish Oceanography Institute has been working for months to get everything ready for this and the following surveys (Flemish Cap and 3L), which means packing hundreds of items, from rubber gloves to photographic equipment, to make sure we won't miss anything during the nearly 100 days these surveys last. Besides, this year a short course on fish sexual maturity was held. Our colleagues Lola Garabana from the Coruña branch, Conchi González from Vigo and Alexandre González, a colleague from the Institute for Marine Research (Investigaciones Marinas) taught us to distinguish the maturity stages for Greenland halibut, cod, American plaice, grenadier, redfish, viviparous sharks and oviparous rays. Nearly all biologists taking part in the surveys joined the course. It was very interesting and we got very good teaching material to bring to the survey. As survey leader and especially considering that my personal circumstances have kept me away from work in key dates, I am extremely thankful to all the colleagues that have lightened my work load and have done a superb job.

And there is little else to say for the time being... a few people are a bit seasick, the weather has been very good so far although it is cloudy today. Our plan for the day is start unpacking and get the labs ready for action. To give you an idea of the work ahead, the material is packed in 25 crates measuring about 40 x 60 x 35 cm.