This is the sixth in a series of guest posts from Aquarium volunteer Sarah M. Winchester. She participated in the most recent Bahamas Collecting Trip. As our expedition leaders are gearing up for next Spring's expedition, Sarah chronicles her experience with the Aquarium in Bimini.

With our crossing back to Miami scheduled for the evening, preparations for the fish began bright and early.



A complete list of our fish had to be e-mailed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife first thing in the morning, and fresh Bahamian ocean water had to be collected in multiple barrels for fish shipment. We did have time for a little recreational diving and some reef surveying. Splashing in the water without collecting bags, gear and nets for the first time in a week was an odd feeling. “You mean we are just going down to LOOK at fish?”






No longer needed, our nets were tucked away.

We checked on the fish, made some last recording and began the Gulf Stream crossing back to Miami that evening.



D.O. (dissolved oxygen) meter, used to check the percent of oxygen in the water