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CalCOFI Cruise Report (2-8 Jul 2002):
CalCOFI 0207NH left MarFac 0800 Jul 2 and we are currently making our way to
station 87.50. Under moderate sea conditions, station work has progressed smoothly
and all operations have been problem-free. The typical calm July conditions have
just started to appear.
Preliminary data show an uniformly cool surface condition for most of the
first two transects. Anomalously cool 10m temperature conditions begin just
off San Diego and continue out to station 100. High chlorophyll concentration
for the southern line coincided with the coldest near shore anomalies.
The 100m temperature data indicate a deeper warm water current centered around
sta 70 bisecting the cooler inshore and offshore water masses.
Greg Mitchell's Bio-optics program has return in full force with a daily
MER cast and incubation experiments. Katherine Barbeau's trace metal measurements
are the latest ancillary addition to the CalCOFI program. She and Brian Hopkinson
have sampled an array of stations using trace metal free bottles on a 7m fiberglass
pole.
Avifauna observations were conducted during 0430 to 2000 hrs by Jarrod Santora. A total
of 35 species of birds have been recorded. Sooty shearwaters were represented in good
numbers (800+) on July 8, primarily located on line 90 in the vicinity of the inshore
stations. Cook’s petrels were observed far offshore on lines 93 and 90, and an
impressive total of 98 birds were observed over a two day period. A total of
12 Black-footed Albatrosses were observed during transect between offshore stations.
Other bird highlights include: Red-billed tropic bird, Red-tailed tropic bird, South
Polar Skua, Pomarine Jaeger, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Skimmer, Long-billed Curlew,
Anna’s Hummingbirds, Band-rumped Storm Petrel, Cassin’s Auklet, Xantu’s Murrelet,
Craveri’s Murrelet, Pink-footed shearwater and Black-vented shearwater. Cetacean
observations include Fin whales (9), Humback whale (1), Blue Whale (1), Common dolphins,
Pacific white-sided dolphin, and Bottlenose dolphins. Three Sperm Whales were observed
on transit to station 90.45, and were identified by their forward 45 degree angled blow.
Pinnieped observations include California Sea Lion, Northern Fur Seal, and Northern Elephant Seal.
With the rigorous station schedule, macro nekton sampling has be sporatic. Six 12-15lb
albacore were caught on transit to 90.60 and a sushi luncheon followed a day later.
Our compliments to the New Horizon for their round-the-clock dedication to facilitating
our station work and in maintaining our tight schedule. Their professionalism and
expertise always makes our workload manageable. With the great meals and continued good
weather, we hope this CalCOFI will be added to our list of great summer cruises.
JRW 8Jul2002
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