OFFSHORE PLANKTON SAMPLING
Expedition Aboard DISCOVERY Yacht SAM
April 16 – May 3, 2017
During April 16th to May 3rd, 2017, The International SeaKeepers Society partnered with the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience of the University of Florida conducted another expedition collecting plankton samples. Crew aboard D/Y SAM assisted with the deployment and retrieval of plankton nets during the two week trek across the Pacific Ocean from La Paz, Mexico to Oahu, Hawaii. Collected plankton samples were observed, studied, identified, and preserved for further genome sequencing and analyses.
The tiny, planktonic organisms, such as copepods, salps, ctenophores, and juvenile cephalopods that were collected during the cruise, are integral members of marine ecosystems and play a vital role in the health of our oceans. By collecting samples and sequencing planktonic genomics, researchers aim to learn more about these critical species by identifying and tracking them to assess their connectivity and dispersal.
This was the first expedition aboard D/Y SAM. This trip also marked the first time that two research trips were conducted for the same lab simultaneously. D/Y Harle supported another SeaKeepers expedition with researchers from the Whitney Lab collecting plankton samples in the Atlantic from April – May 2017.
Expedition Profile
Partner Site:
The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Science
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