On our cruise, the scientists' areas of expertise are all different, like pieces of a quilt. All of the pieces are important to the whole quilt as they rely upon each other to make the quilt. The study of our quilt is called in the science community, Bering Sea Integrated Environmental Research Project, BEST-BSIERP.
The National Science Foundation and the North Pacific Research Board joined forces to coordinate this approach to understanding how the Bering Sea marine ecosystem works - from the benthos to the atmosphere, and everything in between. They also study the socio-economic impacts of a changing marine ecosystem on humans and communities.
The goal of BEST-BSIERP is to gain understanding of an integrated ecosystem so that fisheries managers can better forecast and respond to changing environmental conditions. Accurate ecological forecasts will help support critical decisions and planning for the management of coastal and ocean ecosystems and fish and wildlife populations. This information is from the website, www.nprb.org
During the evening before we arrived to Dutch Harbor, all of the scientists gathered in the science lounge to share their experience on the cruise. I shared several videos that I made. These videos, though having little scientific merit, were enjoyed by all.
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Photo by Dr. Trites
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What a wonderful way to end the expedition.
In Maryland and breaking no ice,
Deanna Wheeler