Alannah Wister: Marine Biology, Week Five

Squeezing the sponge in order to release eggs.

Rob Toonan got back from his trip Monday and after hearing how efficient I have been he gave me the day off. I was able to help my roommates with their projects and sunbathe on the beach for the rest of the day. Tuesday was exciting because we got to take a break from coral as we helped two new researchers from England; Nathalie and Christina. I collected Mycale armata sponge larvae all morning. After collecting as much as we could (approximately 225 larvae) we trekked back to the lab where we separated 10 individuals into different bowls. I spent the rest of the day struggling with my computer as it crashed after I tried to open a file. Many people struggle with computer problems here on Coconut due to the humidity and tiny ants. Thankfully it is working now. Wednesday I helped Christina by drilling holes into her PVC racks so they could sink underwater. Then worked on the 3D models and successfully reproduced the hanging racks in the coral farm. Thursday I pretty much spent all day on a paddle board. Zac instructed me where in the bay that there were a few expired projects that needed to be collected. I was able to paddle board around and collect old bricks, pvc, tubes, and mesh from around the bay. He then wanted me to survey the reef so I did that as well. After I made it back to thecoral farm, I helped tidy it up because the film crew was going to be filming there later that day.

There are seven labs on the island: Donahue, Gates, Franklin, Holland, Rappe, Rodgers, and ToBo. I work in the ToBo lab and assist in The Gates lab. The Gates lab is named after Miss Ruth Gates herself. You may recognize the name who is behind the film “Chasing Coral”, she is producing another film focusing on the research here on Coconut Island.

Thursday and Friday night I helped my roommate collect and watch during the Montipora spawning. This was a very interesting experience that I am so thankful for. It is a very hectic and time sensitive process.

Volunteers must wear red light headlamps because the corals will become stressed by white light. The corals will swell before they release bundles of eggs and sperm where they must be collected in the bundles before they separate.

Friday I set up the flow experiment for Rob because he was out of the office writing grants. This was very dangerous because it is just a lot of electricity running into salt water buckets. Thankfully no one got hurt…maybe. That night I went and got Pho with MaryAnn which leaked on me the entire way home, thank you styrofoam.

Saturday, MaryAnn and I drove 45 minutes to KoKo mountain recreation where we did the grueling mile long stair hike. It is an old railroad track that just goes up over this mountain. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done but the view from the top was worth every step! After the hike we indulged in Acai bowls and went to the Halona Beach Cove. Which is easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been; featuring bright blue water, white foam, and the black lava rocks. Sunday my roommates and I went and got pancakes and I relaxed for the rest of the day.