Changes in Latitudes

[Foto: Leif Nøttestad] ICES recommends lower catch quota for the next year. (link) From the abundance estimations of mackerel, herring and other pelagic fish species, the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has recommended that the quota for fishing mackerel be reduced by about 100 000 tonnes; and over 200 000 tonnes for herring. Over the past ten years there has been a significant decrease in zooplankton in this region of the Atlantic, which is the primary food source of migrating pelagic fish. It is believed that because of the way in which mackerel feed during their summer migration (passive filter-feeding), they out-compete herring in overlapping regions. This competition ultimately leads to a depletion of resources...yada yada yada. If fishing continues at the pace it was set for this year, then the scientists at the Institute of Marine Research believe that a collapse in the mackerel and herring stocks is possible. This is another reason why my thes...

[Northeast Atlantic mackerel] As you know, I am writing my thesis on mackerel behavior in the Northeast Atlantic/Norwegian Sea. I held a presentation yesterday about where I am at with my work, and the final comment from my supervisors was that I need to speed up the data processing/cleaning if I want to meet my goal of having that finished before Christmas. I have been going through 100+ GB of sonar data (the process is called "scrutinizing" in acoustic jargon). It has been interesting so far. I am looking a little into vessel avoidance. This work is very tedious at the moment. Staring at the computer for 9 hours a day is not my cup of tea, but if I can get through the data fast I can enjoy Christmas time without worrying about getting behind on my project. [Fall in Bergen last week] So, nothing overly exciting has been happening. I won't be running Stoltzen Opp this year because I was only given 10 days notice to prepare and I would rather beat my time n...

While spring is arriving in Auckland, NZ, fall is making its arrival in Bergen. The rain has increased, the temperature has dropped to a chilly 11C and some yellow color is in the trees. This weekend we have been given clear blue skies and fresh, crisp fall air! We took advantage of it yesterday and took a hike up Lyderhorn and today we have to do some yard work before the rain visits us for the rest of the season.

[Introduction to AE 2012 led by Bergen  men's choir] This week I was hired as a "conference assistant" for the Academia Europaea conference 2012 in Bergen. It is a 3 day event of workshops, lectures and discussions of various disciplines: business, psychology, climate and environment, policy, etc. William Miller from the University of Michigan gave a talk today in the psychology session, and tomorrow I will get to sit in on some of the biology lectures. [Concert at Troldhaugen.] The perks of this gig have of course been creating potential networks, free food and some extra spending money! However, today was a bonus with a special performance of Norwegian master pieces (works of Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull) by two of Norway's most talented musicians, violinist Henning Kraggerud and pianist Håvard Gimse. What a treat! The venue is amazing, with a window from the stage looking out over the small cabin where Greig wrote many of his pieces and the water. ...

[Sprinting through the finish line!] Finished my first half marathon today in 2 hours and 7 minutes! Proud of myself for killing my goal of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Though I did not finish in the top half of competitors, I was very happy with myself and now I have a new goal to work towards --- less than 2 hours! Two time Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie was there to kick off the run as well! Overalll, it was a good run and I really impressed myself with how much I can stick to something. [Gebrselassie handing out awards to the kids] [Starting out pretty good] [All smiles at 16 kilometers]