The ship was electric with anticipation this morning. The first net went over the side at about 0809, and at 1155, the ship headed to the next Station. Processing the first samples took another 4 hours.

The first plankton net was very productive, bringing in good specimens in clear water. (There must be someone, somewhere who has done that up in needlepoint, eh? Raise a high toast to an aficionado of plankton - "May your sample be plentiful and your water clear".)

The Plankton Group was busier than bees in spring once that net was rinsed, and a glorious haul from the Blake dredge was unloaded about two hours later by the Benthics. The young academics were all out on deck awaiting that net. They looked like thoroughbreds at the post, or better yet, like kids on that special holiday morning where there are treat-laden, brightly knit stockings to be opened! Oooooooh, biiiiiig stocking!! In that delivery, there were sea stars, crabs, fish, worms, urchins, snails, squid and even a couple of very small octopi - enough to make everyone happy for at least a few hours. And so, it really begins.

So, don't hesitate to email questions to us at outreach@lmg.usap.gov