Research vessel sets sail

By R.S. Hakes, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, September 17, 1998

Dr. Laura Kingsford, chair of the biological sciences department at Cal State Long Beach, recently christened the Callinectes, a new research vessel that will provide a state of the art field experience to marine biology students at CSULB.

Callinectes, which is Latin for graceful swimmer, is a substantial advancement in the research technology available to CSULB's marine biology students. These students are enrolled in the only program in Southern California that offers a bachelor of science in marine biology.

"Other schools in Southern California offer a concentration of classes in marine biology," said Dr. Alan Miller, a biological sciences professor at CSULB. "Only we have the actual degree."

Callinectes is a new Glacier Bay 220 Catamaran. It is powered by twin 70-horsepower, four-stroke, outboard motors donated by Suzuki America. It will be used to collect species, water samples, kelp, and also for wildlife observation. The new catamaran is capable of towing a variety of nets that the previous 20-year-old boat could not.

"The twin engines allow the new boat to tow larger nets and also different types of nets," said Brian Mercier, biological sciences' marine technician.

The new craft is essential in providing the students with superior field experience, a tremendous aid when it comes time to search for employment.

"If you are studying ichthyology - the study of fish - at a different school, you might take a field trip to the beach," said Chris Lowe, who researches sharks and game fish for the Marine Group, a loose association of faculty that maintains organisms in a marine environment. "The great thing about the new boat is it provides the student with the opportunity to attain the skills that the Fish and Game department would require when looking to hire a field biologist."

Lowe will use the catamaran for tracking sharks and game fish as well as for species collection.

The new boat will allow him to track fish over a 24-hour period, something the old boat was incapable of doing. The additional space will provide room for a computer, where data can be immediately logged and processed. This is a major upgrade from having to record the information by hand and then input it into the computer hours later.

Professor Zed Mason, is a member of the Marine Group, and is also chair of the Animal Welfare Board.

"The purpose of the Animal Welfare Board is to ensure that all methods of research and collection of animals will not inflict pain or harm the organisms," Mason said.

The catamaran ties in directly with this safety protocol for the organisms.

There are specially designed compartments equipped with a water re-circulation system that enable live specimens to be transported back to shore in good health.

"Callinectes is the only way to collect the majority of specimens for classroom research," Mason said. "It allows us to bring the organisms back as quickly as possible to ensure their fastest and safest return to a healthy environment."