Fish use estuaries for breeding and as safe nursery areas. Students will travel by skiff to Pine Island to use seine nets to collect nearshore organisms along sandy or gravel beaches. They will study diversity and abundance, as well as size related to age of marine organisms. Students will also use field chemistry kits to collect data on water temperature, density, salinity, dissolved oxygen, CO2 and pH. This program is ideal for a small group of students (24 or less).

To prepare for this trip students will have to climb off a skiff (small boat) onto the beach so they should wear boots or shoes that can get wet.  Students will have the opportunity to wade into the water to utilize the seine nets. Students should wear shoes that can get wet if the weather is warm.  Old sneakers, Crocs, Keens or other water shoes work well.  If the weather is cool, Project Oceanology will  provide  a few pairs of waders or boots for students to borrow.
Students may want to bring a pair of dry shoes to change into after the trip.

Suggested Lab: Data Analysis: Nearshore Fish, Fish Respiration