Previous Story
NOAA research vessel opens doors to public
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel R/V Oscar Elton Sette will be hosting an open house for the public this Saturday at the Port of Saipan in Puerto Rico.
The open house will take place on the research vessel from 12pm to 4pm.
Scientists aboard the research vessel are engaged in a 30-day research project in CNMI waters. Their primary mission is to learn more about the biology and environment of bottomfish resources in the CNMI that support important local fisheries.
According to a NOAA statement, the data that have been gathered in the mission will be used to improve assessments of bottomfish and reef fish stocks that will provide a foundation for scientific advice to resource managers.
Aboard the research vessel is Robert Humphrey, a biologist with NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center who is the team’s chief scientist.
According to the NOAA statement, Humphrey will be leading a “diverse research team” that includes other scientists from PIFSC and CNMI agency scientists from the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality. Other members include instructors and students from Northern Marianas College, local fishermen, and two archeologists.
The first leg of the research project starts on June 19 and ends on July 3, where scientific operations will be conducted in the nearshore and coastal waters around Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion within the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.
The second leg of the project will take place from July 7 to July 27 in the northern parts of Pagan, Guguan, Sarigan, and Anatahan.
