Mark Myers (NOAA Fisheries, NWFSC) is mending a trawl net used to collect winter flounder for chemical analyses. Two weeks after an oil spill washed into salt ponds along the coast of Rhode Island, NWFSC scientists were conducting studies to determine if fish health had been affected. Winter flounder were spawning in the salt ponds at the time of the spill.

NWFSC scientists Dave Misitano and John Ferguson are beach seining for juvenile salmon in a reference area for a study examining contaminant exposure and health of juvenile salmon in Puget Sound.

The Big Bang! An old non-producing oil platform is being removed by detonating explosives below the sea floor to sever the legs. The detonation occurred after a NOAA/NMFS marine observer conducted an aerial survey to assure no sea turtles or marine mammals were in the vicinity prior to the use of explosives.

Oilfield diver lance cutting a mangled oil platform leg after Katrina went through the Gulf.

Oilfield diver lance cutting a mangled oil platform leg after Katrina went through the Gulf.

Oil field rough necks rigging a well for removal off the Louisiana coast.

Fisheries scientist obtaining tissue samples from dolphins swimming in the bow wave of the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientist obtaining tissue samples from dolphins swimming in the bow wave of the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientist obtaining tissue samples from dolphins swimming in the bow wave of the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

A little time for discussing the day's work, maybe home, or maybe even the next port-of-call.

The time-honored scientific sampling method of dip-net collecting of the sea creatures attracted to the deck lights of the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN while the ship is not underway.

A member of the scientific party enterin marine mammal sighting data into a database while observing from the bridge wing of the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientist obtaining tissue samples from whale swimming ahead of inflatable boat off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientist with specimens caught by net off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

"Big-eyes" binoculars used by marine mammal observers on the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientists collecting tissue samples during small boat operations off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientist obtaining tissue samples from pilot whales while conducting small-boat operations off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Scientist directing coxswain as dolphin proceed to the left.

Fisheries scientists collecting tissue samples during small boat operations off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientists collecting tissue samples during small boat operations off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Fisheries scientists collecting tissue samples during small boat operations off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Scientist preparing mounting for tracking device on sea turtle. Operations off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Dip-netting double exposure. Scientists collecting small oceanic fauna from the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN as it is hove to.

Fisheries scientist obtaining tissue samples from dolphins swimming in the bow wave of the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Observer Sampling station in Sandpoint on the only sunny day of the season.

Deborah McArthur helps set bait to attract Puget Sound six gill sharks during cruise.

Tolimieri and Kelly Andrews prepare to dive into Portage Bay

Scientist Phil Levin and colleague discuss sampling and tagging procedures during cruise to tag Puget Sound gill sharks.

Hollings Marine Scholar demonstrates water sampling for interns during tour of Manchester Marine Station.

Hollings Marine Scholar demonstrates water sampling for interns during tour of Manchester Marine Station.

Hatchery at Mukilteo Research Station

IT specialist Barry Semple manages network cables at Montlake Fisheries Laboratory

Net pens at Manchester Research Station

Survey team member Erica Fruh measuring a dover sole using FSCS system on the NWFSC's annual groundfish survey off the West Coast, on board the chartered vessel RAVEN.

Keith Bosley and Suzanne Romain measuring fish on the NWFSC's annual groundfish survey off the West Coast, on chartered vessel Ms. Julie.

NOAA Fisheries volunteer Heather Mann extracts otolith bones from the head of a longspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis) during the 2000 West Coast bottom trawl slope survey aboard the chartered fishing vessel Coast Pride.

NOAA chartered fishing vessel crewman Mike Retherford identifying the sex of an extremely small Pacific Grenadier (Coryphaenoides acrolepis) during the 2003 west coast groundfish trawl survey aboard the F/V Excalibur

NOAA Fisheries employees John Harms (left) and Stacey Miller measure a sub- sample of longspine thorneyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis) during the 2003 west coast groundfish trawl survey aboard the F/V Excalibur.

NOAA Fisheries employee Stacey Miller enters data on the computer that is part of a NOAA award winning portable sampling station during the 2003 west coast groundfish trawl survey aboard the F/V Excalibur.

NOAA Fisheries employee's John Harms (left) and Stacey Miller with chartered vessel crewman Mike Retherford working up a sample obtained aboard the F/V Excalibur during the 2003 west coast groundfish trawl survey.

Birds! Birds! Birds! Prolific fishing grounds mean large populations of sea birds.

Dutch Harbor. Home to many North Pacific fishing vessels.

The AURIGA tied up at Dutch Harbor

Operating a forklift to move processed fish.

U. S. ENTERPRISE and the SEATTLE ENTERPRISE tied up at Dutch Harbor.

The PACIFIC VIKING alongside at Dutch Harbor.

The BRISTOL ENTERPRISE and the YELLOWFIN

Going ashore in a Zodiac launch

Off and away in a Zodiac launch

A muscular appearing dory with deep gunwhales and a high prow sets out from a commercial fishing vessel.