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Photos taken by observers at sea

Commercial Fishing Vessel Emergency Exit

An observer spotted two spiny dogfish (<em>Squalus acanthias</em>) swimming together

Gulls flying around an outrigger at sunset

Seabirds following a fishing vessel

The striped anchovy (<em>Anchoa hepsetus</em>) schools in shallow coastal waters, but can be found in many habitats due to its ability to tolerate a wide range of salinities.

While the adults are deepwater fish, juvenile barrelfish (<em>Hyperoglyphe perciformis</em>) are found at the ocean surface usually near floating debris, such as barrels.

Beardfish (<em>Polymixia lowei</em>) are found at a wide range of depths from 50-600m (~160-2000 ft)

A common dolphin (<em>Delphinus delphis</em>) riding alongside a trawler

New Bedford harbor in winter from a boat's view

Tagged herring gull (<em>Larus argentatus</em>) on the bow of a boat at the dock

Captivating sunset in October

Female cancer crab (<em>Cancer sp</em>) with growths

This unique sighting of a crab out of its shell was documented by the observer

Butterfish (<em>Peprilus Triacanthus</em>) rarely live beyond 3 years and grow rapidly, reaching sexual maturity at 1-2 years of age

In some shore field guides, the lady crab (<em>Ovalipes ocellatus</em>) is described as "the crab most likely to pinch waders toes

Northern stone crab (<em>Lithodes maja</em>) blending in with an orange observer sampling basket

In 2009, a gladiator box crab (<em>Acanthocarpus alexandri</em>) was caught off Newfoundland, Canada, when previously the furthest north they were found was Georges Bank

The pallid sculpin (<em>Cottunculus thomsonii</em>) consumes small invertebrates on the ocean floor

The claws, called chelipeds, of the inflated spiny crab (<em>Rochinia crassa</em>) elgonate as the crab grows, reaching up to four times the carapace length in adults

First ever verfied record of striped porcelian crab (<em>Porcellana sigsbeiana</em>), to the Fisheries Sampling Branchs Species Verification Program

A two-chambered swim bladder gives the silver perch (<em>Bairdiella chrysoura</em>) an advanced hearing system that is of interest to scientists studying fish auditory systems

The thread herring (<em>Opisthonema oglinum</em>) has a slightly midler taste than other herring species

A close up picture of the distinctive dark rosettes on the dorsal surface from a rosette skate (<em>Raja garmani</em>)

The wrymouth (<em>Crytacanthodes maculatus</em>) has a maximumin length of about three feet and is approximately thirteen times as long as it is deep

Gill raker from an offshore hake (<em>Merluccius albidus</em>), used to confirm identification

Beginning as juveniles, Golden tilefish (<em>Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps</em>) construct burrows for shelter

One of the earliest US commericial shrimp fisheries was for the white shrimp (<em>Litopenaeus setiferus</em>), with evidence that exploitation began in 1709

Elasmobranch eggs, sometimes called mermaid's purses

Close up photo of the lower jaw of an Alewife (<em>Alosa pseudoharengus</em>)

The swordfish (<em>Xiphias gladius</em>) is a fast swimming predator that uses its "sword" to slash pray

The possession of thorny skate (<em>Raja radiata</em>) is prohibited in the Gulf of Maine

A cory's shearwater (<em>Puffinus diomedea</em>) resting on a pile of discarded twine

The slow growing barndoor skate (<em>Raja laevis</em>) reaches maturity around 11 years of age

The male rosette skate (<em>Raja garmani</em>) has slightly sharper teeth than the female

Atlantic sturgeon (<em>Acipenser oxyrhynchus</em>) in a pile of horseshoe crabs found off the coast of Delaware

Large gill slits in a porbeagle shark (<em>Lamna nasus</em>) allow more oxygen to be delivered to the tissues, enhancing the sharks stamina

A sea pansy (<em>Renilla reniformis</em>) is a colonial organism made up of many polyps

The gizzard shad (<em>Dorosoma cepedianum</em>) is a pollution-tolerant species

"Porgy", a common name for Scup (<em>Stenotomus chrysops</em>), comes from an American Indian term for fertilizer, a common use for these fish in colonial times

Atlantic saury (<em>Scomberesox saurus</em>) feed on zooplankton, fish larvae, fish eggs and small fishes

Harbor porpoises (<a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/porpoises/harbor-porpoise.html" target="_blank"><em>Phocoena phocoena</em></a>) frequent shallow bays, estuaries and tidal channels

The florida pompano (<em>Trachinotus carolinus</em>) is an important commercial and recreational fishery from Virginia to Texas

The pilotfish (<em>Naucrates ductor</em>) is carnivorous and follows sharks to feed on scraps of food and parasites while also being protected from predators

The Atlantic cutlassfish (<em>Trichiurus lepturus</em>) have no scales

Rare killer whale (<a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/killer-whale.html" target="_blank"><em>Orcinus orca</em></a>) sighting in the Northeast

Atlantic long-fin squid eggs (<em>Loligo paelei</em>) caught in an otter trawl net

Striped bass (<em>Morone saxatilis</em>) are anadromous fish, meaning they live in the ocean and return to fresh water to spawn

Gill rakers are one way to identify an American shad (<em>Alosa sapidissima</em>)

A common grenadier (marlinspike) (<em>Nezumia bairdii</em>) caught off the coast of Maine

The striped sea robin (<em>Prionotus evolans</em>) has large, fan-shaped pectoral fins and feelers that they use to move along the bottom to feed

The Atlantic bonito (<em>Sarda sarda</em>) is often confused with the skipjack tuna (<em>Katsuwonus pelamis</em>)

The throat of the Atlantic wolffish (<em>Anarhichas lupus</em>) is scattered with serrated teeth

Observer comparing a longline hook to their reference guide

Sabellariidae tubes (worm rock) attached to surface of stony coral

The double-crested cormorant (<em>Phalacrocorax auritus</em>) perches on an elevated spot after diving to dry out its feathers as they are not fully waterproof

The porbeagle shark (<em>Lamna nasus</em>) is a highly migratory species

A lesser electric ray (<em>Narcine bancroftii</em>) can generate an electrical shock from 14-37 volts

Female american lobster (<em>Homarus americanus</em>) with eggs

The blue crab (<em>Callinectes sapidus</em>) is one of the most important commercial species in Maryland

American lobster (<em>Homarus americanus</em>) with tinted blue carapace and claws

Soft corals (<em>Alcyonacea</em>) have minute, spiny skeletal elements called sclerites

Observer holding an orange footed sea cucumber (<em>Cucumaria frondosa</em>)

Sea lice (<em>Galigidae</em>) are tiny copepods that go through a series of molts

One of the main predators for the cannonball jellyfish (<em>Stomolophus meleagris</em>) is the leatherback sea turtle (<em>Dermochelys coriacea</em>)

The short bigeye (<em>Pristagenys alta</em>) is mainly solitary and often territorial

A shrimp trawl net with a turtle excluder device

Gulls fly around trawlers waiting for discards to be brought back to the ocean

Angel sharks (<em>Squantina dumerili</em>) bury themselves in sand or mud waiting for their prey

Clam cages house the clams before the boat lands

Codend being brought on deck of a trawl boat

A table of atlantic hagfish (<em>Myxine Glutinosa</em>) producing a microfibrous slime while being sorted

Deepsea red crab trap

Gulls with a humpback whale (<a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/humpback-whale.html" target="_blank"><em>Megaptera novaeangliae</em></a>) in the background off the coast of Cape Cod

Highfin scorpionfish (<em>Pontinus rathbuni</em>) showing its dark spotted lateral line and dorsal spines

An observer holding up the first part of the dorsal fin of the northern kingfish (<em>Menticirrhus saxatilis</em>)

Longspine swimming crab (<em>Portunus spinicarpus</em>)

The red goatfish (<em>Mullus auratus</em>) have no teeth in the upper jaw and small teeth in a villiform band in the lower jaw

Deepsea red crab (<em>Chaceon quinquedens</em>) inhabits mud, sand, and hard bottom at depths from 200-1800+ meters

A deck hand holding up a remora (<em>Echeneidae</em>) on a trawl boat

Humpback whales (<a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/humpback-whale.html" target="_blank"><em>Megaptera novaeangliae</em></a>) feeding off the coast of Cape Cod

An Atlantic cod (<em>Gadus morhua</em>) being measured by an observer

A black drum (<em>Pogonias cromis</em>) that was caught in a gillnet

Two scalloped hammerhead sharks (<em>Sphyrna lewin</em>) laying in a fish pile

The northern stargazer (<em>Astroscopus guttatus</em>) uses its large mouth to create a vaccum to suck in prey

Risso's dolphin (<a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/dolphins/rissos-dolphin.html" target="_blank"><em>Grampus griseus</em></a>) with unique scar configuration

Head of a red-throated loon (<em>Gavia stellata</em>)

Mantis shrimp (<em>Haliotidae</em>) caught off the coast of North Carolina

Tagged horseshoe crab (<em>Limulus polyphemus</em>)

Gray triggerfish (<em>Balistes capriscus</em>) being weighed on a Marel electronic motion-compensating scale

Atlantic moonfish (<em>Selene setapinnis</em>) on a fish length board for size comparison

Striped burrfish (<em>Chilomycterus schoepfii</em>) feed on invertebrates such as barnacles and hermit crabs

Calico box crab (<em>Hepatus epheliticus</em>)

A mole crab (<em>Albunea sp.</em>) typically grows to about 4 cm in length

The silver coloration of the lovely hatchetfish (<em>Argyropelecus aculeatus</em>) allows it to hide from predators and prey

Spinous elbow crab (<em>Platylambrus pourtalesii</em>) caught in a scallop dredge

Observer measuring shortfin squid (<em>Illex illecebrosus</em>) mantle length

Atlantic longfin squid (<em>Loligo pealei</em>) with faded coloration

Distinctive dark spots (<em>Alosa sapidissima</em>) on an American shad

Hydriods covering a lobster pot

Blackfin tuna (<em>Thunnus atlanticus</em>) on deck

Tripletail (<em>Lobotes surinamensis</em>) on a fish length board

Octopus (<em>Octopus sp</em>) crawling around the deck

Vibrant colored Jambeau (<em>Parahollardia lineata</em>)

Red drum (<em>Sciaenops ocellatus</em>) on a fish length strip on deck

Kemp's ridley turtle (<a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/kempsridley.html" target="_blank"><em>Lepidochelys kempi</em></a>) in resuscitation position. This turtle was resisitated and released alive.

Conch pots ready for setting

Torpedo ray (<em>Torpedo nobiliana</em>) blending in with the deck

Removal of otolith from an Atlantic Codfish (<em>Gadus morhua</em>)

Atlantic Menhaden (<em>Brevoortia tyrannus</em>) on a Marel scale

White shark (<em>Carcharodon carcharias</em>) hauled onto a boat

The head of a northern gannet (<em>Sula bassanus</em>)

Armored sea robin (<em>Peristedion miniatum</em>) on a fish length board

A deck full of scallops

Sevengill sharpnose shark (<em>Heptranchias perlo</em>)

Hogchoker (<em>Trinectes maculatus</em>) on a fish length board

Teeth of a gray seal (<a href="http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/gray-seal.html" target="_blank"><em>Halichoerus grypus</em></a>)

Jonah crab (<em>Cancer borealis</em>) and Rock crab (<em>Cancer irroratus</em>)

A sponge (<em>Porifera</em>) attached to a rock

Ocean sunfish (<em>Mola mola</em>) in a fish pile

Atlantic sturgeon (<em>Acipenser oxyrhynchus</em>) set aside for observer sampling

The head of a houndfish (<em>Tylosurus crocodilus</em>)

Black sea bass (<em>Centropristis striata</em>) ready to be sampled by an observer

Two roughtail stingrays (<em>Dasyatis centroura</em>) in a checkerpen

Sea pens (<em>Pennatula aculeata</em>) caught on a groundfish trip

Soft coral (<em>Primnoa resedaeformis</em>)

Loggerhead turtle (<a href='http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/loggerhead.html' target='_blank'><em>Caretta caretta</em></a>)

Atlantic batfish (<em>Dibranchus atlanticus</em>) on a fish length board

Octopus on a conch pot

Bullnose ray (<em>Myliobatis freminvillei</em>) swimming on deck

Oyster dredge gear

Scallop dredge gear at sunset

Surf clams going down a conveyor belt on a clam dredge boat

Tiger shark (<em>Galeocerdo cuvier</em>) caught on a longline

Back deck of a purse seiner

Pile of scallops on deck

Risso's dolphin (<a href='http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/dolphins/rissos-dolphin.html' target='_blank'><em>Grampus griseus</em></a>) swimming around a boat

Flying fish (<em>Exocoetidae</em>) being held by an obsever

Longspine Snipefish (<em>Macroramphosus scolopax</em>) on a fish length board

Caribbean spiny lobster (<em>Panulirus argus</em>)

Florida pompano (<em>Trachinotue carolinus</em>) on a fish length board

Southern stingray (<em>Dasyatis americana</em>) on deck

Gray seal (<a href='http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/gray-seal.html' target='_blank'><em>Halichoerus grypus</em></a>) swimming

Sea raven (<em>Hemitripterus americanus</em>) with yellow color morph

Deepbody boarfish (<em>Antigonia capros</em>) on a fish length board

An inflated northern puffer (<em>Sphoeroides maculatus</em>) held by an observer

Anomalous american lobser (<em>Homarus americanus</em>) claw configuration

Spadefish (<em>Chaetodipterus faber</em>)

Summer flounder (<em>Paralichthys dentatus</em>) blending in with the deck

Beautiful Mahi mahi (<em>Coryphaena hippurus</em>) coloration

Snowy grouper (<em>Hyporthodus niveatus</em>) on a fish length board

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