This week we have NB Nature Camp students staying on campus. So far this week they have done lots of fun activities in the field and at the pond with their counselors but today their activities focused on the marine environment so I got the chance to work with them.
This morning all of the students toured the new aquarium and went out on the Huntsman research vessel, the Fundy Spray. While touring the aquarium the students played in the touch pool, pet the skates, viewed the seals underwater, and checked out the variety of fish and lobsters, including big DeeDee. On the boat we completed a plankton tow and a scallop drag so the students could see what lives at the surface and on the bottom of the local marine environment. They were very excited to see jellies in the water and to handle the animals that came up in the scallop drag. The students also helped me to collect some data on the temperature and salinity of the water at different locations. It is starting to get pretty warm for this area, a balmy 13°C!
After a yummy lunch the students headed to Pottery Creek to hunt for the invasive green crab. They helped me to collect data on the size and gender of the crabs. Total crab count today was 138, three of which were females with eggs.
Tomorrow will be the last day for the nature campers. Hope to see you all again next year!
Plankton
Lots collected in the scallop drag!
Sorting through the collection.
Snorkel at the aquarium.
On the hunt for green crabs!
Female with eggs.
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