Gaining Research Experience on an Icelandic Cruise – by Francesca Fehlberg (BSc Marine Biology and Zoology) and Thea Moule

(MScRes Marine Biology)

Alongside academic studies it is important to gain external research experience to enhance employability. The marine research industry is becoming an everincreasingly competitive field, and such experiences provide the opportunity to advance data collection and analytical skills obtained during the Marine Biology undergraduate course. Additionally, the chance to network with other researchers in the field can allow for new opportunities to arise and interdisciplinary knowledge to be shared. Francesca and Thea, both SOS students and former Gavin Borthwick Prize recipients, were fortunate enough to be part of James Waggitt’s research team on a recent Eurofleets cruise in Iceland.

Francesca graduated this summer with a BSc in Marine Biology and Zoology and she will continue her studies at Bangor University in September on the MSc Marine Environmental Protection course. Currently, Francesca is a Student Reviewer for the University as well as a Student Trustee for UNDEB Bangor. Additionally, this Summer, she received the Ecology Resources Ltd. Bursary award to support her work as a Lead Technical Assistant on the Skylark project for the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Switzerland. Thea Moule graduated last summer with a BSc in Marine Biology and is currently an Athena Swan Scholar recipient and MScRes postgraduate, researching the impacts of coral bleaching on reef fish body-size distributions among distinct coral habitats. Alongside her master’s she has presented her research at the International Coral Reef Society conference in Bremen, funded by ICRS European Chapter and Challenger Society grants, and received a full scholarship to attend the Coral Reef Ecology course at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

The Research Cruise, onboard the Arni Fridriksson, lasted from the 18th until the 25th of June, and it followed along 45 predetermined transects between Faxaflói and Breiðafjörður, collecting data to determine the energetic landscape of seabirds. The tasks were conducted over an 18-hour period and Francesca and Thea worked on two shifts, the first shift was from 4:00 until 9:00 and the second shift lasted from 14:00 until 19:00. For the duration of their time on board, they assisted on scribing and observing during Seabird surveys as well as sorting through plankton-, pelagic- and demersal trawls in the wet-room. The different marine species were then identified and grouped into length classes so that they could measure the organisms’ weights. In order to pick up on plankton or fish schools to trawl for underneath the boat the Simrad EK80 echosounder system was used. Some of the highlight species that were caught were a 15kg Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) and Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus). Additionally, Thea and Francesca were able to gain further experience using a CTD and learn about how it can be used to measure conductivity, temperature, and depth in the water column.

This fully funded opportunity allowed Francesca and Thea to gain invaluable hands-on experience surveying wildlife, identifying species and using different sampling techniques in a professional setting. They were able to greatly profit from the international team and their knowledge that accompanied them on board. This Cruise had been delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It made this experience extremely special to all who were able to be a part of it. Therefore, everyone would like to say a huge thank you to James Waggitt for awarding us this opportunity.