The Stude
nt
Summit teams are up to the awesome challenge presented by Ed
Cassano and Dr. Sylvia Earle. One by one the team leaders move
to the podium and share what they have been working on with the
panel. Within a few minutes it is apparent from the comments
of the panel members that they are impressed not only by the
quality of the work but the types of projects the students have
chosen.
The first study project is title "Distribution
of Gorgonians in the Channel Islands" and is presented by
Tim Rade
macher of the Oxnard group. Gorgonians are not
something with which I am familiar--a type of what appears to
be a coral-like grass from the pictures. It is not a plant which
is either glamorous or well known, yet it has been chosen by
this group after consideration of many other possibilities because
of its possible importance as a mini-habitat in the Channel ecosystem.
Questions follow from the panel. There
is a comment about how the group will actually study the plant
as it is not easily observed unless underwater and how the data
will be used to assess Gorgonian populations in other places
in the Channel. "This points out the difficulty of studying
t
he ocean," bio-luminescence specialist Edie
Widder tells the Oxnard group. "How do you extrapolate about
the larger area from studies you do within smaller areas.
"This is a problem when you apply for grants," she points out. "Organizations like the National Science Foundation want to know what you will find before they will give you money, yet when you begin a study like this you are dealing with so many unknowns. How do you do this?
The next two presentations from Paso
Robles and the Santa Barbara/Ventura groups focus on the health
of the sheephead population in the Channel. Having areas where
fishermen can fish, as well as "no catch" zones in
th
e sanctuary areas
provides excellent study possibilities both groups tell the panel.
"We need to understand the impacts commercial fishing has
on our local fish populations," the students explain. Further
they add, we need to understand the differences in impact in
varying periods of weather such as the "el niño"
and "la niña" years.
The sheephead is an especially good choice
for study because of its unique biology. All sheephead begin
life as females, some spontaneously becoming males at approximately
four-to-five years of age. The viability of the older, adult
male population may have something to do with when this occurs
as well as how often. Climatic differences as well as fishing
can impact the hows and whens of this biology and the students
want to know more.
Last to go is the group from Cabrillo
High School, which has developed an incredible underwater living
space for mice called "ConqfishI". The neatly crafted
chambers captures everyone's attention. It is their desire to
further the study of living underwater by moving the habitat
into the Channel environment.
After the presentations are over the questions come fast and furious and the students handle them very well. In providing the opportunity for taking responsible action, the SSE project has opened the doors to what I hope will become a commonplace occurrence--students working alongside professionals on projects such as the Sustainable Seas Expedition. The students have proven tonight that given the opportunity, they are ready.