5/17 "Picking"

Here are pictures of two of the different types of species we have seen on this cruise. On the left are two of the scientists and myself "picking" through the collection that was taken off the Bongo tow. This is done on every tow. It usually takes on average about 30 minutes. You use a pair of forceps and gently pick out any fish that are swimming amongst the krill, copepods, and chaetognaths (arrow worms). They are then placed in a glass quadrant petri-dish that is placed in a tupperware container on ice. The fish are then put under the microscope to determine species and how they will be frozen (different researchers want different methods). The species on the top is a Pacific Halibut and the small one on the right is a Walleye Pollock. Notice the measurements that are seen through the microscope. The are being measured in millimeters.