Jon T. Howard North Atlantic Gyre Blog #18

Today was our first day of research and trying out the equipment to gather specimens. Working as a team we deployed the Manta Trawl to pull alongside the boat and did visual observance for plastic debris. When we are working with the trawl we have to slow the Sea Dragon down to between 1- 2 knots for 3-4 hours at a time so that we are able to gather as much of the surface debris and sea life as possible for analysis. Both times we deployed the trawl we captured fragments of plastic. We also spotted a few large pieces of plastic junk floating in the ocean and even picked up one with the net around midday. Between trawling we are able to put up the sails utilizing sail power which is a completely different feeling then when we use the engine. Other than that, we had a flying fish jump onto the boat that Anna Cummins dissected to see if it had any plastic in its stomach. Luckily it was all clear. We rotate taking turns cooking and tonight Ivan and I were in charge of dinner. We whipped up a hardy leek stew with beef, mushrooms and broccoli and big pan of corn bread for our 9 person crew. Everyone loved it and had seconds which is always a good sign. Our first mate John Wright from England had never had cornbread and really took a liking to it. We have been very fortunate that the meals so far have been very tasty. Last night Stiv and Steve made fish tacos from the fresh Mahi Mahi Steve caught off the coast of St. Thomas. As we run out of food supplies we will have to be a lot more creative and anything more than pasta will become a real luxury unless we are able to catch more fish along the way.