Ryan Dail - Project Update

For those of you who don't know, my project is on how NOAA ( National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ) gains information by extracting ear bones from different species of fish. So far I have come in contact with a fishery biologist that works for NOAA. She explained to me what research is done in the field and where the information goes once it is collected. She is allowing me to go and observe her collect the data on the various species of fish she receives. She even mentioned showing me how to extract the otolith (calcified structures in the inner ear that fish use for balance and orientation ). So I may end up being able to get my hands dirty. I was supposed to meet with her Tuesday, but since she is a Federal employee the government shutdown has stopped her work. Hopefully this shutdown lets up soon so I can get on with my project!





Fish Otolith