Dr. Cynthia Tynan
Biological Oceanographer
Affiliate Faculty, School of Oceanography, Univ. of Washington

As part of U.S. GLOBEC, Northeast Pacific, Northern California Current program,
we conduct line-transect surveys of marine mammals across the shelf, slope and
basin regions using two pairs of 25X-power binoculars - one pair sweeping the
port side and one pair sweeping the starboard side of the ship from 10 degrees
off the bow to 90 degrees on their side of the ship. Our surveys are conducted
outside on the 03 level of the R.V. Roger Revelle. The binoculars are mounted to
steel stanchions. A third centrally placed observer guards the trackline with
hand-held binoculars. Ultimately we compare the density and distributions of
different species of marine mammals with the circulation patterns, oceanographic
variables (e.g., sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll), and
distributions of zooplankton and fish prey. These analyses will help to
determine the role of climate, ocean circulation, and productivity on the
distributions and movements of species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and
sea lions off Oregon and northern California.
 

Most memorable cruise:

One of my favorite cruise experiences was a 50-day cruise to and from the
Antarctic pack ice in the Southern Indian Ocean on the R.V. Knorr in December of
1994. Invited by other scientists in the World Ocean Circulation Experiment, we
were conducting surveys of marine mammals from the flying bridge of the ship.
Each day as we progressed further south along the flank of the Kerguelen
Plateau, a floating sculpture gallery of ice would greet us. Some massive,
beautiful formations of green or blue ice, sometimes resembling spires of Gothic
cathedrals or ancient Celtic stone formations, would appear on the horizon and
slowly grow larger as we approached. In addition, we encountered some very
curious humpback whales on Christmas Day, who swam about and under the ship
while on station. For the scientists who spend much of their time in the
laboratories, it was an exciting time to come out on deck and to be greeted by
the curious leviathans. It was a beautiful day and everyone was in very high
spirits. In addition to the sightings of whales, I especially enjoyed the
companionship of enormous Wandering Albatrosses, who sometimes would soar just
above our heads on the flying bridge. Each day there was something new and
wondrous to behold. Many of those days will stand out strong and clear for many
years to come.