MCC's Marine Biology Study Ablog 2023

On Thursday we went to Cholla Bay to do some tide-pooling. A difference compared to other beaches we tide-pooled at was that It was flat with very little rocky areas until further on in the tide-pool. We saw many blue crabs, soft shell crabs, sea cucumbers, sand dollars, and some octopus in clam shells. However we noticed a fishing net washed ashore that may have come from illegal fishers and inside were 6 crabs that were barely alive. Noah, Noel, Sharon, Kristen and I spent upwards of 20 minutes carefully cutting and releasing the crabs back into the ocean. We then properly disposed of the fishing net afterwards. It's quite unfortunate that nobody picked up that net until we came along and disposed of it. It should be important for others to clean up even if the trash is not theirs inorder to keep the environment clean and not polluted. -Adel Redzepi

Hidden throughout the rocky intertidal area behind the hotel there was a significant increase in the number of anemones compared to the sandy intertidal. I saw a multitude of shape size and color anemone. Some of these were wide open and actively feeding with the water washing over their tentacles. These tentacles have stinging nematocysts that assist in catching tiny plankton and fish and delivering it to the centrally located mouth. Anemone are able to change their body form to better withstand their surroundings and not only can they hide their tentacles in dry conditions, they can also lower and widen their body shape to withstand conditions with heavy waves. These are survival specialists of the tidal pools. 

Another creature i found in the sandy intertidal area near CEDO that was absolutely fascinating to me were these turban snails. I found the mix between the pattern in their anatomical structure and the coloration in their bodies downright captivating.  This species, Turbo Fluctuosus, can be found in the Pacific Ocean ranging between Baja California peninsula, to  Peru  and off the Galapagos archipelago. Also known as the wavy turban, these mollusks are a type of sea snail that feeds on seaweed growing on the surfaces of stones and sea beds. Nifty facts aside, they’re so beautiful!  

Day 1, wandering the intertidal area near CEDO. I turned over a rock and found a really unique looking sponge. As I have never seen one before i began taking photos and was completely caught off guard when it started walking!!! This actually turned out to be a species of crab that uniquely had a sponge attached to its shell which was growing successfully! Because the sponge and the crab both require similar environmental conditions this symbiosis is effectively providing the crab with a near perfect camouflage, while providing the sponge the unusual ability to move and remain in a wet location where it can collect food and prevent itself from absorbing too much air. As a sessile filter feeder this is not an ability it is typically afforded, providing an increased chance of survival in the intertidal zone where seawater is not always available. Super neat.

 On this excursion we worked with Paloma and Alan from CEDO to survey the life on the beach. As shown in the description below a quadrant on the beach was laid out every 10 meters or so and the life within the square was observed and recorded. Many many worms were seen in each square where there was water pooled up. The occasional snail or algae happened to fall into the area of observation but many times stuff was visible but not counted because it wasn’t in the quadrant. It was so cool to be in the field working like an actual biologist. After this task the tide has pulled out a little bit stranding what we decided were anchovies, so the group located as many as we could and put them back into the sea. 

 On day one of the class we went down to the beach right by CEDO. Being from the desert the seeing the ocean is an extraordinary experience. The tides had pulled back enough for sizeable tide pools to be revealed and the life in them. Blue crabs, lumpy arm crabs and various anemones were scattered in the tide pools as well as the sea hare. Their cool defense mechanism of spreading a violet ink was observed and researched because it had gotten on several of us. Overall it was a great first experience on the beach.

  5/19/23 Today we visited the mudflats of Cholla bay and boy was it different from the other excursions we went on. The tide had pulled further back than I had ever seen, leaving a wet desert of shells. Upon further inspection several crabs could be found walking about or in the mud hiding from potential predators. This zone yielded several sand dollars ripe for the plundering, an obvious result of the pulling out of the tide. However the greatest find in my opinion was the little guy from the picture. Being a presenter of the mollusks the presence of this guy was important to see in action. Holding him and seeing the suckers in action was such a gift.

 on saturday, we took a boat trip to bird island. on the way there, we saw humpback whales swimming in the water. it was very cool seeing their fin pop out and go back under. later in the day, we see two more humpbacks breaching! we sped over to the location and got a wonderful show. we think they are the same whales from earlier, but aren’t 100% sure. we stayed and watched for a while, i had to keep reminding myself that it was real life and not TV. i’ve never seen whales that close before, let alone breaching ones. it was so surreal and became a core memory. not many people are lucky enough to stumble across something like that. -kristen  (photos taken by Sharon Cruz, not me)

 on thursday, we explored cholla bay which is a small residential area. while there we saw blue crabs, soft shell crabs, sea cucumbers, sand dollars, and some octopus. the amount of sand dollars found was unreal! we also found a washed up fishing net which Sharon, Noah, Noel, Adel, and I cleaned up. There were many blue crabs stuck and it was covered in shells and trash. it took a long time to cut each crab free but finally we returned 6 to the ocean. this just shows how careless people are with fishing nets, and how much destruction it can do to habitats. it’s unfortunate how many people saw the net and ignored it until we got there to clean it up. please clean up beach trash, even if it’s not yours! the only person to protect habitats is you -kristen

 The second day in Mexico we spent in a rocky intertidal habitat. It was off the property of viña del mar in el malécon. personally, it’s my favorite habitat because of the opportunity to see so many different animals. on this trip, we saw brittle stars, sea cucumbers, sea hares, urchins, and chitons. i enjoyed more of the high intertidal zone just because there were less boulders and more deep tidepools that housed more creatures. i had more luck tidepooling there than in the low intertidal near the shore. there was also a lighthouse at this location which made it even more special since lighthouses are very close to my heart. -kristen

    Yesterday,  we went to an intertidal area to help contribute to some research being done on the number of species found within the environment at Sandy Beach. We used a surveying tape measurer to map out a transect line from the shore about 28 feet vertically up the beach. After we placed the transect line down, we used a quadrat (which is a measured square) every few feet to map out an area to look at for the number of invertebrates found. The organisms that we found were found in each of the different phylum's we learned about earlier in the week and in my previous biology class. Two groups of five people with a researcher did this twice across different areas of the beach. The team at CEDO does this every month because Sandy Beach is one of their first certified beaches in Puerto Penasco. This includes having an environmental cleanup crew, monitoring the ocean water for health and salinity (salinity is the dissolved salt content), and having a place to recycle and take trash

       Today we took part in some long term biological research being done by the CEDO research team here in Mexico. We supported the researchers by taking data of the Least Tern nests, eggs, other species, and birds found while we walked in lines down the sandy shore of the Morua Estuary. The Least Terns nests are fragile since they are such small birds so their nests are easily ruined by things like ATV's, human activity, carnivores such as coyotes, as well as loud noises disturbing them.      Here is a picture of a baby least tern trying to find its balance The adult Least Tern's have yellow bills and a black and white head pattern. The researchers need everyone's help in making sure these endangered species stay safe by staying away from the nesting areas and respecting wildlife. Some fun facts about these beautiful birds are: The male birds offer fish to the females in hopes of mating They are monogamous animals that mate in colonies of up to 25 pairs Their diet consis

 Today we joined some researches from CEDO to take part in a survey of the endangered least tern. These are pictures of two baby chicks that had just hatched within the last few days. This bird sadly is overlooked by ATVS and humans and eaten by coyotes, dogs and other pets. It also doesn’t help that their nests are made in the sand on the ground without much cover or decoration. It’s very hard to see their eggs amongst the grains of sand, so it would be very easy to step on them. Thankfully, the researches we were with knew what to look for so there were no casualties.  Similarly to the vaquita, hopefully we can continue to use the plans in place to conserve this precious species. Kinzie Mahlstede

  Bird Island (Or known locally as Isla del San Jorge) is an Island approximately 22 miles away from Rocky Point. I first learned of this Island last Summer when I was at Encantame Towers with my family looking to buy a condo down here. I noticed an Island far off in the distance and I was told by the person giving us the tour that the Island is a refuge for Seabirds and Sea Lions. I thought it would be cool to visit the Island one day and see the wildlife up close. Nearly 10 months later, My dream would become a reality. We got to the dock around 7 am and loaded up onto the boat. Since I wasn’t scuba certified I would be going to snorkel instead. It took us nearly an hour to get to Bird Island but on our way there we saw 3 Mantas swimming around our boat. Afterwards we then saw 2 Humpback whales swimming which was really cool. As soon as we got to the Island we again saw another 2 humpbacks (probably the same 2 from earlier) breaching over and over again. My classmates and I managed t

Kayaking in an estuary can be a fascinating and educational experience. Estuaries are transitional zones where freshwater rivers meet the saltwater of the ocean. They are highly dynamic and productive ecosystems that support a diverse array of plant and animal species. One of the most striking features of estuaries is the tidal cycle, which is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. Tides occur as the water level rises and falls in response to these gravitational forces. During high tide, water from the ocean flows into the estuary, flooding the area and creating a brackish environment where freshwater mixes with seawater. This influx of water brings in nutrients and sediments from the ocean, which are essential for the productivity of the estuarine ecosystem. As you experienced during your kayaking trip, the movement of the tide can be quite dramatic. The transition from high tide to low tide can happen relatively quickly, and the change in water level can be signifi

unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity of marine life in intertidal zones. It sounds like you had an exciting adventure discovering various fascinating creatures! One of the remarkable encounters you had was with octopuses. Octopuses are incredibly intelligent and highly adaptable creatures. Their ability to change color and shape enables them to camouflage themselves perfectly in their surroundings, making them masters of disguise. Observing them in their natural habitat provides a glimpse into their remarkable behaviors and strategies for survival. The presence of blue crabs with egg sacs is a remarkable sight. Female blue crabs carry their eggs in a specialized pouch called an "egg sack" or "sponge." These egg sacs are an indication that the crabs are preparing to spawn and release a multitude of tiny baby crabs into the ecosystem. Witnessing this event showcases the life cycle of these crustaceans and highlights the importance of these intertidal zones

Yesterday marked my first exhilarating scuba diving experience in the vast ocean, and it was an absolute delight! The underwater world unveiled its wonders as I encountered a plethora of mesmerizing marine creatures. Playful sea lions gracefully swam alongside, their energy and curiosity captivating my every move. Majestic stingrays glided through the depths, their elegant wings creating an ethereal spectacle. The grand presence of whales in the distance added a touch of awe to the scene. Vibrant schools of fish painted the ocean with their vibrant colors, their synchronized movements resembling a living work of art. This incredible adventure has left me eager for future scuba diving explorations, where I can immerse myself in the enchanting beauty of the marine realm once again. noah

Something I learned about sea gates are that they are snails without visible shells. They are part of the phylum mollusca. We found some mainly near rocky shores. They are also hermaphrodites, meaning they have both the male and female body parts. When disturbed they squirt this purple liquid toxin.  These are egg strings that have have been laid by a sea hare. -rm

On Thursday we went kayaking with our class in the Morua Estuary, and it was an amazing experience! As we paddled through the channels, we discovered lots of crabs scurrying around and native plants thriving in the water including the Pickle Weed which was edible and we were able to taste. YUM! The coolest part was seeing the oyster farms and learning how local women take turns selling the oysters they catch to support their families. But we also had a bit of a scare when the tides suddenly changed, and we had to paddle fast to avoid getting stuck. It was a lesson in the power of nature and the importance of respecting its forces. Our adventure in the Morua Estuary was both exciting and eye-opening, leaving us with unforgettable memories and a greater appreciation for the wonders of nature. Morgan Furno

 Went to Cholla and saw some Fitch’s octopus! They typically like to swim in very shallow water. They hide themselves in shells, under rocks, and just small places. Makes it easy for them since they have no skeleton.  You can see on this hard substrate, I found some of the octopus eggs that seemed to have already hatched. -rm

                                                                        A female sea lion under the water! A large humpback whale breaching During our boat trip to Isla de San Jorge, we saw an array of marine animals. We first saw three manta rays, part of the Chordata phylum. Next, we saw some humpback whales, which are mammals. We learned that they are covered in barnacles. These whales are part of the chordate phylum. Finally, there were dozens of sea lions swimming around the island. We learned that the dominant males claim a group of females and their own territory on the island. We heard them "talking" to each other, and it was so loud you could hear it under the water!  Savannah Cole 

 One of the my favorite parts of the trip so far is learning about and being around the Gulf of California or the Sea of Cortez. Through the professors and Ms. Paloma I learned that the Sea of Cortez is a relatively young ocean. I also learned that it is very shallow, really saline water, and has extreme temperatures with it being really warm in the summer and really cold in the winters. I also learned that because of these reasons the Sea of Cortez is home to many different marine organisms.  One thing however that I didn’t enjoy learning about was the declining population of vaquitas. I was saddened to learn that throughout the years from net fishing their population decreased from just under a thousand to 10 vaquitas left (this is the recorded number could be a bit more) I hope the marine biologist and the other brilliant scientists involved can help restore this organism. -Hector Tucto 

 Today was INCREDIBLE! It started off with an incredible boat trip about 20 miles off the coast of where we are in Puerto Penasco. On our way out to the island, we saw some splashing and found 3 manta rays swimming around our boat! They were near the surface and the tip of their wings were just coming out of the water and they truly looked as if they were flying!  Shortly after we got a call on the radio that another boat had spotted whales! Not just any whales but two Humpbacks. We decided as a group that it was definitely worth exploring. We were not disappointed! We saw two beautiful Humpback whales swimming together and doing a lot of fin and tail slapping. We finally made it to the island, saw a huge splashing in the distance, and raced to see what it was. We saw two Humpbacks breaching over and over again. We believe these to be the two we saw just a bit earlier and we followed them for another good 10 minutes watching their breathtaking show! (Insert great photo of the Humpbacks

  An octopus hiding inside a shell! This poor guy was missing a few tentacles. On our visit to the muddy intertidal zone, we found several octopuses. They were hiding within makeshift shelters, such as seashells and chunks of sponges/rocks. This was so interesting because in one case, the one holding the shell shut was actually so strong! We also observed an octopus with a few tentacles missing.  However, we learned that they can regenerate their tentacles. But in the meantime, it is vulnerable and should certainly remain in shelter until it can be safe again. Savannah Cole

Today we took a boat trip out to Isla San Jorge where we saw lots of sea lions and blue-footed boobies. The sea lions are so curious and playful!  On our way to the island, we were lucky enough to spot some manta rays. One of the manta rays had a little friend on his back, most likely a remora. We learned that this is a symbiotic relationship, where one species benefits off another species without affecting the other, otherwise known as commensalism.   Kinzie Mahlstede

Today was one of my favorite days of the trip. We took two boats down to Bird Island located in the Sea of Cortez. The Sea of Cortez is known as a whale sanctuary and we got lucky with what we spotted. Two humpback whales scientifically known as Megaptera novaeangliae apart of the phylum Chordata that we got briefed on just yesterday breached the surface. They moved all around allowing for us to see them playing and dancing. They were huge and beautiful, and these pictures do not do them justice.  This was supposedly a rare siting since Humpback whales emerge for a few minutes every so often, so our timing was perfect. When we arrived to Bird Island, we spotted blue footed boobies flying above and all around. The white covering the island is actually their guano (scientific name for poop). (Pictures included at bottom) I got to experience my first time scuba diving in the ocean and was surrounded by Sea Lions above and below as we dove to 33 feet. Many of my friends that I've made