As we continue our work in Emerald Basin, it is increasingly evident that this location provides unique oceanographic conditions for sustaining these high concentrations of Russian Hats. A temperature profile of the water column at this location, while similar in some regards to the rest of the Scotian Shelf is special because the near bottom temperatures at this point in time are 11 degrees Celsius. Emerald Basin is located on the inner part of the shelf, closer to land, but is connected to the seaward or outer edge of the shelf and continental slope by a channel that cuts between the fishing banks. Through this channel moves relatively warm slope water. This slope water is deep enough to have avoided the local effect of seasonal cooling in the winter, with the proximity of the warm Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Central Water mitigating the influence of the cold, southward flowing Labrador Current, making the basin a kind of "hot spot" for its location. As such, Emerald Basin is also an important, deep overwintering home for krill and copepod zooplankton, which are so important in marine ecosystems across the continental shelf and slope. Tomorrow we will begin collecting bottom samples for taxonomy using Videograb. Stay tuned for some great pictures.
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| A monk fish, master of camouflage lays in wait for an unsuspecting meal. |
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| Red fish seek refuge near a large Russian Hat. Unseen in this photo are the surrounding schools of Pollock. |
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| Kevin MacIsaac and Sara Quigley log georeferenced biological data in specially designed software. |
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| Shearwater dunks its head below surface for quick snack. |
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| Marty King operates Campod during transects in Emerald Basin. |
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| A Jonah Crab takes refuge within a large Russian Hat. |
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| A good example of Russian Hats settling on hard substrate. This bottom type is necessary for their presence. |
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