The scientists aboard NOAA Ship HENRY B. BIGELOW will be conducting a bottom trawl survey.  This survey is an overall assessment of the numbers and kinds of marine life that are on the bottom of the sea along the northeast United States. 

When scientists trawl along the bottom, they use special equipment that will catch creatures that live along the bottom.  Scientists do not catch large amounts of fish, like a commercial fishing boat, but they do catch enough to give them an idea of the kinds of creatures that live along the bottom, how healthy they are, how many are young, how many are old, and what they are living in and eating.  This gives a good indication of how healthy the ecosystem is likely to be for the next few years.  Click here for more information.

Because the survey has been done for over forty years, scientists can look back and see how the environment is changing over time.  This is a very important part of survey research.  Can you name some factors that might be affecting the environment off the East Coast of the United States? 

Come aboard this October and let’s see if you are right!!