Bon Voyage Baja Class!

By Kristin Walovich

IMG_1245The Marine Operations Building (aka the Firehouse) has been a busy place this morning. The Marine Environmental Studies of the Gulf of California class is staring their journey toward La Paz, Mexico today, eventually landing on a small island called Isla Partida just north of La Paz. Here they will conduct a variety of field research projects including sea floor mapping, fish grazing and artisanal fishing studies as well as fish, seaweed and invertebrate surveys.  Check back in a few weeks for a more detailed account of their adventures!

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Graduate students Dorota Szuta and Devona Yates check dive gear before loading their equipment into one of three vehicles traveling down to Baja California.
Captain Jon Douglas (JD) helps Scott Miller and Evan Mattiasen add a bit of extra space to the boat trailer for more gear.
Captain John Douglas (JD) helps Scott Miller and Evan Mattiasen add a bit of extra space to the boat trailer for more gear.
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Dissecting scope, first aid kit, generator, boat patch kit, FOOD, inflatable boats for diving, transect tapes...the list of supplies seems endless for this 3 week endeavor.
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Clint Collins lashes gear to the roof while Instructor Scott Hamilton and Ashley Wheeler load to food supplies.